I have a sloth puppet.

I got it when my life was a constant blur of frenzied activity.

I wanted a totem animal to remind me that more action doesn’t necessarily mean more joy.

This past week has felt like that flurry of activity again.

I became very aware of my recent pace today when I went for a walk. The weather today is unusually warm for Northern Illinois in February, and I walked slowly and deliberately, conscious of the warmth of the sun on my skin, the caress of the breeze, and the moist smell of melting snow. Everything seemed more alive to me today.

It was one of those days, for those of us in Northern Climes, where you know, without a shred of a doubt, that spring will eventually come.

Walking very slowly, a flow of inspirations came easily and naturally into my awareness, about my blog, my business ideas, my art.

I was so excited to receive these gifts of insight.

I loved all the things I chose to do during the last week, but, for me at least, inspiration needs space to ‘land.’ The rhythm of inspiration is different than the rhythm of constant activity.

The sloth came back into my life this week, in a different way, to remind me of this.

Every time I go to the library, I check out a kid’s book along with anything else I’m getting. It’s a great way for me to stay in the creative flow of playfulness and exploration.

This week, I checked out Eric Carle’s “Slowly, Slowly, Slowly said the Sloth.”

Here are the words that were meant for me. It’s from the last page in the book: “Finally, the sloth replied, ‘It is true that I am slow, quiet and boring. I am lackadaisical, I dawdle and I dillydally. I am also unflappable, languid, stoic, impassive, sluggish, lethargic, placid, calm, mellow, laid-back and, well, slothful! I am relaxed and tranquil, and I like to live in peace. But I am not lazy.’ Then the sloth yawned and said, ‘That’s just how I am. I like to do things slowly, slowly, slowly.’”

It’s a great book. Take it out of the library the next time you are there.

When I finished reading the book, I retrieved my sloth puppet from where it has been ‘hibernating’ and put it right by my journaling chair, to remind me of the rhythm of inspiration.

Filed under: Being a Reinventer, Adventures of a Reinventer, Lynne's Reinvention Journey on February 8th, 2009