I’m considered a slow walker.

When strolling with family members, I tend to fade to the back of the pack. I’m OK with that position because it gives me the chance to see them interact and enjoy themselves. But there’s more to the story.

How slowly do I walk? I’ve counted my paces many times, and it seems I’m stuck at 100 steps per minute. Of course, it’s possible for me to walk faster, but why? I’m comfortable at that speed, and I extend my walking pace to many other things around me. For instance…

I can remember drinking my first glass of Riesling wine. I did it way too fast, and when my glass was empty, I couldn’t recall the aroma nor the taste of the wine. Naturally, that called for a second glass so I could fully enjoy the beverage. Ah, I thought! The aroma is so pleasant, but slack minded me couldn’t identify the scent. However, when slowly sipping the wine, I tasted it luscious sweetness. It matched the person I was sitting with at the time.

While finalizing some personal business a few days ago, I realized we were talking way too fast to each other. My gesture for us to slow down was met with a smile of approval. From that point on, we not only finished business quickly, but we had time to get to know each other. Slow and easy does it!

Later I had a glass of honey mead made by Winehaven Winery in Chisago City. It had been awhile since I tasted their honey wine called Stinger Mead, and I took it easy while consuming it. You just cannot argue with the great honey flavor, and its delicious finish. The pour lasted longer than usual, and for good reason.

In case you haven’t noticed, life can be very pushy. Oh there are so many deadlines to meet, and they should never get infected by sideline issues. Right? Wrong! The craziness of life can drive you nuts. However, my mantra is to let’s take time to plan slowly. That reduced pressure allows us to fully appreciate the final product, and to realize that fast is not always the best option.

Obviously, the job needs to be accomplished, and that’s important to always note. But taking it slow is best for everyone — no matter your spot or place in life.

I used to be a very fast reader. In full transparency, I skimmed many books. I sought the key theme word, and moved on to the end of the book. Surprisingly, I almost always had to go back over the book to find the full story. Strange? No! My brain finally told me to slow down, read all the words and to connect them. Suddenly, the complete story of the novel was realized — imagine that!

I guess I’m not only a slow walker, but a slow learner, too.

Well, it’s time to live my words with a glass of German Sun Garden Riesling. This time I’ll take it slow and totally immerse myself in its scent and flavors. And, I’ll take time to view the bottle! It’s a beautiful blue with a yellow cap.

When I take my walk this afternoon, I’ll walk my usual pace. It’s gotten me to where I am today, and I’m fine with that.

As always, eat and drink in moderation but laugh with reckless abandon!

Cheers!