Slow me down, Lord

Ease the pounding of my heart

by the quieting of my mind.

Steady my hurried pace.

Give me, amidst the day's confusion,

the calmness of the everlasting hills.

Break the tensions of my nerves and muscles

with the soothing music of singing streams

that live in my memory.

Help me to know the magical, restoring power of sleep.

Teach me the art of taking "minute vacations"...

slowing down to look at a flower,

to chat with a friend,

to read a few lines from a good book.

Remind me of the fable of the hare and the tortoise;

that the race is not always to the swift;

that there is more to life than measuring its speed.

Let me look up at the branches of the towering oak

and know that it grew slowly and well.

Inspire me to send my own roots down deep

into the soil of life's endearing values...

that I may grow toward the stars of my greater destiny.

Slow me down, Lord.