Ever since I started following the Winter Olympics I have marveled at what is called the biathlon. Competitors cross-country ski as fast as possible and then stop and shoot rifles.

            Think about it. You have to move rapidly with your heart rate accelerating. Then when you stop, you have to slow your heartbeat and become so calm that you can take aim and hit a target. Talk about contrasting skills.

            Up to this point no American competitor has ever won an Olympic medal in this event. (We are told that may change this year!) I may not watch the event but certainly will follow the evening report.

            Meanwhile, I am reviewing the life I live to see when I need to go from fast to slow. Certainly most of us have contrasting experiences in our daily lives, going from active engagement at work to gentle receptivity of other persons. We go from doing to reflecting on what we do.

            We may learn to adapt and respond to each situation but still not bring home a medal for our efforts. Nonetheless, learning to be active and then knowing when to slow down is a great skill to have

.“Slow down. Take a deep breath. What’s the hurry?
 Why wear yourself out? Just what are you after anyway?
 But you say, ‘I can’t help it.
 I’m addicted to alien gods. I can’t quit.’”

Jeremiah 2:25