Summary

The website content describes a personal journey of embracing a slower-paced life, inspired by a visit to Winslow, Arizona, and the Eagles' song "Take it Easy."

Abstract

The author recounts a day trip to Winslow, Arizona, where standing on the corner made famous by the Eagles' song "Take it Easy" becomes a metaphor for adopting a more relaxed approach to life. The visit prompts reflections on overcoming productivity addiction, perfectionism, and the pursuit of unimportant things. The article emphasizes the importance of rest, contemplation, and living a life marked by grace, ease, and boundaries. It advocates for letting go of things that no longer serve one's well-being and offers practical advice on how to achieve a state of calmness and peace, including setting boundaries and learning to say yes or no with wisdom and purpose. The author invites readers to join a Facebook group dedicated to living a life of simplicity and ease.

Opinions

The author values the significance of personal time and reflection, suggesting that life's best memories are not made in a state of haste or stress.
There is an emphasis on the transformative power of embracing calmness and ease, as opposed to a life driven by constant busyness and striving for validation.
The article expresses the belief that one can find rest and peace in faith, specifically by relying on God's strength to overcome the challenges of daily life.
The author promotes the idea of setting boundaries to protect one's physical, mental, and spiritual well-being, implying that self-care is not just a personal choice but a divine mandate.
The concept of choosing presence and absence wisely is highlighted, suggesting that energy is best spent on activities and relationships that align with one's values and contribute to joy and healing.
Letting go is presented as an act of trust and a necessary step towards achieving true rest, indicating that holding on too tightly to current circumstances may prevent one from receiving greater blessings.
The author encourages a selective approach to opportunities, advocating for discernment between what is merely an invitation and what aligns with one's purpose and convictions.

Taking it Easy on the Corner of Rest and Contemplation

How a famous rock and roll song can help you find the exit lane on Hustle Highway

author’s image from “The Corner” in Winslow, Arizona

My husband and I finally did that bucket list thing of standing on the corner in Winslow, Arizona. We’ve recently moved to the White Mountains in northeastern Arizona, so Winslow was a short day trip, but something I’ve been itching to cross off my personal bucket list.

I took a vacation day from work for our excursion down Route 66, including a stop at the Jackrabbit Trading Post and lunch at the Turquoise Room in the beautiful La Posada hotel. We added a quick jaunt over to Homolovi State Park which we had completely to ourselves, aside from some silly donkeys and one lonely park ranger.

If you know the song — and who doesn’t — made famous by the Eagles, you’ll know why standing on that corner is a tourist must-do. Eagles’ songs play in all the establishments and on the corner, particularly the main feature, Take it Easy.

And with this song “Our young dreams were given a home…at the intersection of Youth and Adventure,” writes author and expert Arizona guide, Roger Naylor in his book, Arizona’s Scenic Roads & Hikes.

Why “take it easy” means so much more than a bucket list destination

Even when I’m not adventuring on the Mother Road, ‘Take it Easy’ is still my mantra. A call to slow down and enjoy life more as I recover from productivity addiction, perfectionism, and giving too much attention to things that don’t matter to me.

I’ve decided that the rest of my life will be dedicated to taking it easy at the corner of Rest and Contemplation. Because none of our best memories are those when we were hurried or rushed or stressed and exasperated.

No, not one.

I do not want to be a woman whose life is marked by hurry. I want to be a woman whose heart is at peace. — Lauren Gaskill

What are the hallmarks or characteristics of a woman whose life is marked by rest and peace?

Living in grace. This is a woman who has put an end to striving. When we learn that the world won’t fall apart without our participation and that no amount of busyness will earn us enough gold stars to garner God’s attention and favor, we can finally stop striving. Then we can find rest in his peace and presence.

Ease and Calmness. These two words paint a picture of a woman who has learned to cast her cares on her Savior. I consider this shout-out below from a co-worker evidence of a hard-fought (or should I say surrendered?) victory. Six years ago, ease and calmness were the last two words my coworkers would have used to describe me.

If you find it difficult to practice calmness and ease, remember this promise from Philippians: I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. That means I can even learn to be still!

Loving the sound of your feet walking away from things that no longer serve you. We only have so much energy on any given day to care about things that matter to us. When we use that energy to compare, complain, compete, or criticize we’ve wasted precious strength better used for loving, healing, and living joyously. Choose your absence as carefully as you choose your presence.

Boundaries. Guard your heart, yes, but also guard your mind and your body and your time. A worn-out, stressed-out, hungry, and tired woman is not who Jesus created you to be. So…

Saying yes, and also saying no, and having the wisdom to know the difference. Some self-help gurus advise women to say no often, while others encourage us to say yes to life and opportunity. Not every invitation is an opportunity, however. Wisdom shows us how to say yes with purpose and conviction. With practice, giving a nod to the right things and a hard pass to the wrong things becomes easy. And empowering.

Letting go. We hold on to so much, and for some of us, clinging is a misguided default. Don’t cling to what is good when God has better in mind. Letting go is a clear indication of trust. It makes it easier to rest when we’re not holding on with a vice grip to things we need to release.

Where are you on life’s journey? Are you at the corner of Take it Easy heading toward Rest and Contemplation? Or are you still racing down Hustle Highway? If you’re ready to get off that road to nowhere, join my Facebook group where we learn about living a life of ease and simplicity in order to have time for the things that matter most to us.

No longer striving and stressed out, Mary now shares her journey from stress to simplicity with other women. If you’re ready to say yes to less and no to stress, join the community at Simple Life~Simple Faith.