Going With The Flow

Today's image is a bit of a cheat as it's the front of an old magazine which I came across in the midst of our continuing declutter. I remember buying it originally a few years ago and when I opened it and it described itself as a "magazine without haste - because we know that life is much more pleasant if you take your time, seek out the quiet moments and enjoy the little things instead of rushing all the time..". I must admit I was very much a rusher at that time and the sentiment really appealed to me and the idea of choosing to take things slower and easier, almost like shifting into a lower gear felt like a dream I wouldn't get experience any time soon.
Unbeknown to me at the time I would be made redundant within a few weeks - for the second time in 15 years, after 35 years in the insurance industry, and that taking things slower would be enforced. I haven't worked now for over 3 years and I must admit the only thing I miss is  the people (or least some of them!) - not the work, the office politics, the tedium (insurance is most definitely NOT a creative industry), the stress or the three hour journeys to and from work every week day.
Over the last few years I have been very lucky to experience that slower pace of life most of the time - although there have still been stresses and strains along the way and sometimes life still throws obstacles and curve balls in your way - but I really have been able to take my time and enjoy the quiet moments and realised that I don't want or need all the extraneous stuff that you're told you should 'aspire' to. As the sub heading on the front cover of the magazine articulates "memories live longer than things" and I really do feel I have created more of those over the last few years, very much happily aided and abetted by blip.