The fact that an exclamation point almost always accompanies that word is very telling in itself. As though it is an order! Perhaps because we so often get to the point of near heart attack before we give ourselves permission to slow down and smell the flowers. We burn ourselves out trying to deserve it.

I am sure that isn’t everyone, particularly those who still have grandparents who remember a time when stores weren’t open on Sundays (and nights), where families sat down to a meal together every evening, where the family vacation was to take a camper to the beach, not a flight to see ten cities in five days!

I am wondering if this recession will bring a return to some of the sharing and slowing down of families and friends. Maybe we will find more time to share food and fun. When we cannot go out and spend money, we tend to give ourselves permission to do a puzzle together, have a potluck get-together, have a picnic or plant a garden. It will be interesting to see where we are in a year or two and how we cope with the changes.