Slow Down

I know what you're thinking: It's too late,

everything eventually stacks up on your plate.

Taxes, a stressful job, doctor visits, monthly bills,

household chores, birthdays, unwanted reunions and winter chills...

You reach the point when your head might burst,

your heart aches with regret and you taste an unquenchable thirst,

a thirst for connection, focus, even sleep,

but your thoughts betray you when you're busy counting sheep.

Thoughts of what might've been, could've been, should've been, all in vain,

like an irritating show tune trapped in your brain.

Before you know it, it'll be too late,

to reflect on any self-proclaimed failures, mistakes, or misguided hate.

But don't let life slow you down,

it's meant to make you want to float, not drown.

Bake chocolate chip cookies, dust your countertops in sugar and flour,

savor the smell of a fresh cup of coffee, ready a book, sing in the shower,

go out and see a movie with friends, get malled, take a hike,

check something exciting off your bucket list, lift some weights, ride a bike.

Perfect a dinner recipe you've been dying to try,

take up a new hobby without a "but" or a "why,"

throw a party for the hell of it, take a polar bear plunge in a lake,

go skydiving with your bestie, buy an expensive glass of wine and a steak.

Solve a Rubik's Cube, get a group together and go axe-throwing,

play pickleball, start a D&D campaign, take up competitive rowing.

It can seem intimidating, but don't ever feel unworthy or resigned to wait,

don't let life happen to you, live it, it's never too late.