Before getting my first Driver’s License, my father insisted I learn to drive by using a stick-shift.  I drove that type of car for years and grew to appreciate the gears and how they work—including the downshift.  So although the vast majority of cars now automatically shift for us, the downshift is still very much a part of the engine.  As it turns out, I think the human body also has such a gear.  That’s partially why I decided to use the next month (August) as a time to downshift from this blog.  No I’m not shutting it down, but I am going to pause for 30 days and sink into a more mindful, aware and slower version of my life.  After contemplating this idea for several weeks, I am hoping that my downshift will generate three important benefits.  And in case anyone wants to join me in their own downshift, I’ve listed three good reasons it makes sense. [Read more…]