As I mentioned in a previous post, the running joke in my family is that they raised an unhurried child. It’s true that I don’t like being rushed. Whenever possible, I prefer doing things on my own, in my own way, and at my own pace. If I’m given the freedom to do that, I can focus, perform well, and complete any given task in a timely fashion.
Sometimes, I feel as though I was born in the wrong era. Everyone seems to be in such a hurry these days. People are always rushing from one activity to the next, without taking the time to actually live the experience. They’re too busy thinking about the next thing or doing a dozen things at once. I believe this activity is called multi-tasking, and it’s a pet peeve of mine. Multi-tasking might work for some people. I’m not one of them. I like to focus on one task at the time, do it well, and get it right. On the few occasions I made an attempt at multi-tasking in the past, I wound up doing a lot but I didn’t actually get anything done.
Everything is fast in the twenty-first century. Fast food. Instant messaging. Speed yoga. Yes, there is such a thing as speed yoga now, which seems oxymoronic to me. Isn’t yoga supposed to be relaxing? Speeding through it defeats the purpose.
We’re living in an age where new technologies are released practically every day. Most of these technologies are designed with the purpose of eliminating time wastage. So are we minimizing wasting time in order to continue speed living at an increased pace? Hmm. I think, once in a while, it’s good for us to slow down just a little and enjoy the moment. John Lennon once said, “Time you enjoyed wasting is not wasted time.”
One of my favorite songs is “The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin’ Groovy)” by Simon & Garfunkel. The lyrics speak to my unmodern, unhurried soul. The song advises, “Slow down, you move too fast. You got to make the morning last.”
Today, I’m going to propose something radical. It’s going to shock you. I think you’d better sit down before you continue reading.
Okay, are you ready? Are you sitting down? In that case, here goes…
I’ve come up with a concept called S.L.O.W. It’s the antithesis to the speed addicted modern world we live in. I’m suggesting you try practicing S.L.O.W. It might feel strange at first, but keep an open mind and give it a shot.
S.L.O.W. is a four-step process:
1) Stop.
2) Listen.
3) Observe.
4) Welcome the moment.
Slow down. This moment is your life.
That’s all from me for now. Enjoy your Monday. And don’t forget to take a couple of minutes out of your busy day to practice S.L.O.W.
– Altea
