Slowing down

Here I am again, sitting with this vacancy at work. I opened the curtains blocking the view in front of my working table. It's remarkably sunny today. It's almost 2 in the afternoon, but the coffee I had this morning is still working. I am not sleepy despite the view convincing me to. I have some deliverables queued. But I am taking a reflective pause now to remember what happened last night.

Last night Art, my best friend, and I went out for an evening road trip to Masao. Masao offers the nearest beach escape in the city. It is not fancy, no white sand, but it is a decent destination, especially at night when the sky is clear and the moon up, just like last night . The expansive road leading to the beach was also fun and relaxing.

I never realized how much I missed the beach despite the numerous work-related trips I enjoyed in December and, recently, at Spacebar in Cagwait, Surigao del Sur. Beaches always calm me. Last night, I felt no rush. I sure was tracking the time, but I cared less about going home before 9 PM. I was aware of my responsibilities, but more present there.

I find the idea of slowing down very helpful to keep my worries at bay. I overthink a lot, for sure. But to keep me stable, I consciously remind myself to slow down and reflect for a minute.

On the same night, I also drove a motorcycle for the first time, of course with the insistence of Art. It was his brother's, which he borrowed for three days already. He classified it as an automatic motorcycle, so it was easier to operate than those with clutches. He said that to convince me. And that all I needed to maintain was my balance, just like riding a bicycle. Plus, steady control of the handlebars.

My first attempt at balancing was working even with Art riding along. But not overdoing the gripping was the most concerning because I tend to grip things tightly. But Art was behind me to guide and remind me if I was gripping hardly. There is no need to rush, he said repeatedly. And it worked.

Last night was slow but was also more fun than, say, catching up on deadlines or rushing people or people rushing me. We are humans, and we ought to enjoy life slowly. May I remember this when life pressures want me to grip things—assurance and security—tightly.