27 Comments
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Laura Rennie's avatar

This piece feels like one giant exhale. I loved it. Thank you. ❤️❤️

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Aly Prades's avatar

Thank you for reading!

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Jessica Fountain's avatar

This piece will linger with me as I ponder on what unhurried and precious mean to me in this season. Aly this is so good, especially as I too wrestle with feeling behind or having my days more defined. Thank you for your words.

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Aly Prades's avatar

Thank you, Jessica! You are so precious and deserving of unhurried moments and allowing others to serve you. It can feel so tricky when we don’t feel like we have much control over our pace and life circumstances. You are worthy of slow moments, even when life feels overwhelming. 💛

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Morgan Creager's avatar

I love the idea of being worthy of being unhurried, and that you reminded us our identity isn't found in our "to do" list. "How much trust does unhurried require?" Wow, what a question! So. Much. Trust. Letting go of everything we believe we must accomplish and trusting that God will lead us anyway.

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Aly Prades's avatar

Morgan, so much trust, right?

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Leslie A. Banks's avatar

“I always thought a lack of hurry equals a lack of hustle equals lack of passion, intention.”

I so feel this!

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Aly Prades's avatar

Where did that idea come from? Here's to learning to pursue our passions without hurry. We are both doing it--little by little making progress, doing what we can, when we can. 💛

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Kelsey Aldinger's avatar

I felt at peace and unhurried just reading your words. I especially loved your line of learning "to choose to be at peace with my pace" and "letting the pain dry between projects". Thanks, as always, for your thoughtful insights.

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Aly Prades's avatar

Ahh! I have never been told my writing evokes peace (relatable, vulnerable, honest, yes). Such a gift to pass on the peace I've been experiencing lately. I'm trying to tone down the painting and plunging metaphors, but I had to throw that one in there. So many life lessons in the creative process!

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Lindsey Melden's avatar

Beautiful. Love that breath mantra.

Also go a few friends together to do a cold dip and thought of you 🩵💦

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Aly Prades's avatar

Thank you, Lindsey. Ooh, tell me more about your dip! And I'm so tickled that plunging is what I'm known for now.

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Lindsey Melden's avatar

I’ve been going once or twice a year (usually on or near the equinoxes) to the lake nearest me (Erie) but this year I decided to invite friends and it was so fun!! We only stayed in for a few mins but so exhilarating. I said after, let’s do more brave things with good company!!

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Aly Prades's avatar

I love this! And “let’s do more brave things with good company” sounds like the best goal!

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Aly Prades's avatar

And a few minutes is actually really good! My first few times I barely made it to 15 seconds!

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Lindsey Melden's avatar

Are you noticing your tolerance growing by going every day?

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Aly Prades's avatar

Yes! My sweet spot is between 3-4 minutes now. I’ve done longer but have noticed my skin stays really tingly/itchy for hours after if I go more than 4 minutes, though I feel fine while in the water.

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Laura Jean Bazal's avatar

Really great, Aly!

Life has been so hectic here, and slowing down feels like getting behind. I know I need to do it for so many reasons, and this piece has helped me think of how to do that.

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Aly Prades's avatar

Laura, I'm not sure there's any good way to be unhurried while gearing up for a big move. Could you find pockets of slow? I get what you mean by feeling behind. The moving to-do list is endless. Praying for the next few months for you and the fam!

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Kristina Tucker's avatar

Oh, how grateful I am you took those 8 minutes to sit with that practice. Thank you for trusting me with that time and for trying something that usually feels uncomfortable! I am so encouraged learning what came out of it for you! What a gift reading this was. 💛💛💛

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Aly Prades's avatar

Thank YOU for offering meditations that are so gentle and inviting. Your presence alone brings down walls of resistance.

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Dee's avatar

love this- "Breathe out: urgency"

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Aly Prades's avatar

Me too. Now, living out a non-urgent life is another challenge.

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Allie King's avatar

Unhurried. Yes, I need more of that. Thanks for making me think, Aly!

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Aly Prades's avatar

Thanks for reading, Allie! And I hope you find some unhurried moments in your life.

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Wendy Mengel's avatar

I love this! And totally agree. The work of un-hurrying our lives will absolutely spill over to our kids.

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Aly Prades's avatar

Thanks, Wendy! And I'm hoping the posture of slowing down will spill over to the kids.

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