When I was a kid, my dad would sometimes say, “be careful, honey, the older you get, the faster the time goes.”
“Daddy,” I would reply, “give me some practical advice … how do I slow it down?”
“I don’t know,” he would say, shaking his head. “I don’t know.”
This conversation played out countless times during my life and had a tremendous impact on me. I have always been painfully mindful of the passage of time and, as I’ve gotten older, have discovered first-hand that my dad was right. Every year, it seems to go faster. I’m not entirely sure why. I’m sure it has something to do with the fact that, when you are 12, one year is merely 1/12 of your life but when you are 40, one year is 1/40, so it feels like less time and thus seems to rocket by faster.
No doubt it is also because year-by-year, I tend to add more and more and more obligations to my life until it begins to feel like I am rushing through my days, my weeks and my months.
Until suddenly the opposite becomes true and we find ourselves on the far side of child raising and career building and risk taking and suddenly go from over-committed to under-committed, seemingly overnight.
What in the world does this have to do with the 99 Walks tradition of a #SundaySix? For that matter, what the heck is a Sunday Six?
Every Sunday, I encourage 99 Walks Pack Members to take on the challenge of a Sunday Six.
For some, that can mean striving to accumulate six intentional miles. You can crush them all at once, or spread them out during the course of the day. But that’s only one way to crush a #SundaySix -- there are many others. You can tell six people you love them, donate six things that are cluttering your home and not serving you, set six intentions for the week, plan six nutritious meals or send cards to six people who have touched your life. You can take six, deep intentional breaths or set a timer and meditate for six minutes. You can knock out six pushups (yes, doing them from your knees counts) or six squats.
The true goal of a Sunday Six is to focus your intention and not let the day go by unnoticed and uncelebrated. To encourage us to pay attention, set a goal, take on a challenge and crush it. However you choose to celebrate your Sunday, don't let it slip by without your own, unique #SundaySix.
Because the key thing I’ve learned is that the best way to slow down time is simply to pay attention.
Many women struggle with the motivation to get healthy, but it doesn't have to be hard. Join thousands of women who are crushing their goals with 99 Walks, a fun and motivational virtual walking challenge for women. Set your goal, walk your miles and earn an inspirational bracelet.
You'll find all the tools you need to be successful, including a tracking app with an extensive library of walking classes, daily inspiration and a supportive community to keep you going.
Take your first step towards health and happiness, all through the simple act of walking. Start today for just $9!