After a hard-working friend confessed that, having booked a long holiday, he started to feel guilty for having done so – it got me thinking, not too seriously – and this is the result !
“Slow down you move too fast, you’ve got to make the moment last” are lyrics from that dreamy classic song ‘Feeling Groovy’ by Simon & Garfunkel.
There’s much to commend a decision to deliberately decelerate by removing one’s foot from the accelerator of life, and just … slow down. How many would’ve benefitted from such advice, who went on to experience burn-out, breakdown, lasting physical damage, and even death, as a consequence of living at constant break-neck speed.
I’m persuaded this is NOT what we’re intended for ! And “As the chattering, twittering idiocracy of the world spins ever faster on its hare-brained little axis, the enlightened ones are opting out, jumping off and going slow”
I reckon holidays are God-given opportunities for ‘dashers’ – who spend most of their lives shooting along fast lanes – to stop, unwind, and perhaps prevent them going over the edge.
Life is a journey after all, and we’re meant to take in the scenery, en route … rather than end up as casualties of speed, or filled with the regrets of missing out on vital vistas. There is something to be said for getting off the motorway altogether, and meandering along scenic routes and winding country lanes, with little thought for one’s destination, but to merely appreciate the sites/sights on offer – a veritable mental therapy, methinks !
So, with tongue held somewhat tightly in cheek, I humbly offer these guidelines to a life in the slow lane (adapted from a blog entitled:The international institute for not doing much !)
How to slow down
1. Sit very still, (preferably with feet up) and stare idly out of the window
2. Commit to doing one thing at a time. Remember multi-tasking displays moral deficiency (except for women, who have superior brain function)
3. Ponder everything, taking as much time as needed
4. Do not be rushed into answering questions. A response is not the same as an answer.
5. Yawn frequently. Medical studies show lots of things, and possibly how yawning may be good for you.
6. Spend more time in bed. There you have a better chance of cultivating your dreams (if not your aspirations.)
7. Read very long, slow-moving stories
8. Increase your time spent in the bathtub – complete with candles
9. Practice doing nothing. (Yes, this is a difficult one.)
10. Avoid over much seriousness. Laugh much, because you’re only alive on Planet Earth for a limited time
How to slow down
[Slow mastery is demonstrated in the face of having lots to do.]
1.Put your feet up, and stare idly out of the window. Warning: Do not attempt this while driving.
2.Do one thing at a time. Remember multitasking is a moral weakness (except for women, who have superior brain function).
3.Ponder, take your time. Do not be pushed into answering questions. A response is not the same as an answer.
4. Slowly learn our Slow Manifesto.
5. Yawn often. Medical studies have shown lots of things, and possibly that yawning may be good for you.
6. Spend more time in bed. You have a better chance of cultivating your dreams (not your aspirations.)
7.Read the slow stories.
8. Spend more time in the bathtub. (See letter from Major Smythe-Blunder.)
9.Practice doing nothing. (Yes, this is the difficult one.)
10. Avoid too much seriousness. Laugh, because you’re only alive on Planet Earth for a limited time.
– See more at: http://slowdownnow.org/#sthash.FCio0INA.dpuf
How to slow down
[Slow mastery is demonstrated in the face of having lots to do.]
1.Put your feet up, and stare idly out of the window. Warning: Do not attempt this while driving.
2.Do one thing at a time. Remember multitasking is a moral weakness (except for women, who have superior brain function).
3.Ponder, take your time. Do not be pushed into answering questions. A response is not the same as an answer.
4. Slowly learn our Slow Manifesto.
5. Yawn often. Medical studies have shown lots of things, and possibly that yawning may be good for you.
6. Spend more time in bed. You have a better chance of cultivating your dreams (not your aspirations.)
7.Read the slow stories.
8. Spend more time in the bathtub. (See letter from Major Smythe-Blunder.)
9.Practice doing nothing. (Yes, this is the difficult one.)
10. Avoid too much seriousness. Laugh, because you’re only alive on Planet Earth for a limited time.
– See more at: http://slowdownnow.org/#sthash.7fUAX2Ml.dpuf
How to slow down
[Slow mastery is demonstrated in the face of having lots to do.]
1.Put your feet up, and stare idly out of the window. Warning: Do not attempt this while driving.
2.Do one thing at a time. Remember multitasking is a moral weakness (except for women, who have superior brain function).
3.Ponder, take your time. Do not be pushed into answering questions. A response is not the same as an answer.
4. Slowly learn our Slow Manifesto.
5. Yawn often. Medical studies have shown lots of things, and possibly that yawning may be good for you.
6. Spend more time in bed. You have a better chance of cultivating your dreams (not your aspirations.)
7.Read the slow stories.
8. Spend more time in the bathtub. (See letter from Major Smythe-Blunder.)
9.Practice doing nothing. (Yes, this is the difficult one.)
10. Avoid too much seriousness. Laugh, because you’re only alive on Planet Earth for a limited time.
– See more at: http://slowdownnow.org/#sthash.7fUAX2Ml.dpuf
How to slow down
[Slow mastery is demonstrated in the face of having lots to do.]
1.Put your feet up, and stare idly out of the window. Warning: Do not attempt this while driving.
2.Do one thing at a time. Remember multitasking is a moral weakness (except for women, who have superior brain function).
3.Ponder, take your time. Do not be pushed into answering questions. A response is not the same as an answer.
4. Slowly learn our Slow Manifesto.
5. Yawn often. Medical studies have shown lots of things, and possibly that yawning may be good for you.
6. Spend more time in bed. You have a better chance of cultivating your dreams (not your aspirations.)
7.Read the slow stories.
8. Spend more time in the bathtub. (See letter from Major Smythe-Blunder.)
9.Practice doing nothing. (Yes, this is the difficult one.)
10. Avoid too much seriousness. Laugh, because you’re only alive on Planet Earth for a limited time.
– See more at: http://slowdownnow.org/#sthash.7fUAX2Ml.dpuf
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