I dropped a clay cooking pot on my feet. More accurately, I slipped down the back steps of my house on a rainy night, 1 the pot into the air. I managed to stay upright （挺直的） and 2 on my backside with my feet in front of me, but the pot also landed upright and on my feet, breaking in two. The hot juices I was trying to throw into the outdoor dustbin 3 in the air, and then rained down upon me. At the very moment, I could 4 the headline: "Woman Dies Doing the Dishes After Dinner."
Life didn't stop because I got 5 .However, my daily routine slowed down. I6 less urgent appointments. Though I hated the 7 in my plans, I soon realized it left me a gift: spare time. I rediscovered long-forgotten 8 . I read a book just for pleasure. I caught up with friends and family members in e-mails and texts. I 9 with my watercolor set. And my 10 came alive again.
When I was forced to slow down, I realized how 11 my lifestyle used to be. So I decided something had to 12 . Now I try to leave some 13 for activities and practices that bring me joy, like going for walks or enjoying a meal with friends.
Every time I cook in my new pot, I remember the 14 of slowing down. And I never ever walk down 15 stairs with a pot in my hands.
