Rome wasn’t built in a day.

I don’t think I really understood the meaning of that saying until very recently. Like, as in yesterday, when I came to realize how much I have pushed myself all my life.

It’s cultural in part. Americans glorify pursuing your dreams with a tacit understanding that you must be doing something at all times. But the thing is that it creates internal turmoil as you search, run, conquer.

Somewhere in this formula we have forgotten what we are running after. The running itself becomes the most important thing. “It  doesn’t matter,” my culture claims, “as long as you are moving.”

Other countries such as India (and yes, France) understand the important of standing still. Meditation is a powerful practice that helps center us in our deepest understanding of why we are here and what is important. Delving within ourselves becomes a quiet exploration and a celebration of the power of nothingness.

It took me a loooooong time to get my head around that one.

If you are curious as to how you might start an introspective practice, I just stumbled upon this free 21-day meditation program. It’s with Deepak Chopra and Oprah Winfrey. My guess is it has a very American approach (upbeat, perhaps even a little flashy), but I haven’t tried it out yet.

It takes 21 days to start a new habit. This might just be the thing to help you slow down.

I’m ready. Are you?