Slow Down

Everybody knows that life is way too fast. Even the media – who are responsible for much of this increased speed -  urges evryone to take it easy. So what is an easy plan to slow down, one that is easy to remember?

Okay, get a pad and pen and write these down:

1. First, take 5 and think about what’s important to you in these areas: family, work, life, friends. Do no more than 5 each.
2. List your commitments. You can’t do everything so just get down to the ones that are of deep importance to you.
3. Do less. Like cleaning out your closet, be ruthless in shedding all but 3 important ones. because if you have 7 or 8 and don’t accomplish them it’s just another weapon you will use to beat yourself up.
4. Take time between engagments. Don’t shoe horn all your activities so that too many stop lights will cause yo to be late. Besides the stress build-up – and maybe traffic tickets – being late will give you another excuse to put yourself down. When you have more time you also can appreciate them more and take extra care to make sure they are handled the way you really want.
5. Enjoy every occupation and task. This comes with slowing down and taking time to yourself. Stay in present time, be in the moment. This is what life is all about. take opride in brushing your teeth and chewing your food. Food always tastes better when you’re not wolfing it down. Besides, you paid all that money for a good meal and you probably won’t remember how good it tasted.
6. Stop binge buying. There are many websites for advice in this so I won’t go into them here. However, too much extra stress is loaded onto you when you pay on credit for items that”were too good to pass up.”
7. Find a charity that rings true with you and donate your time – not money. It’s easy to throw a check at something but that’s a hollow feeling. When you dig in and help it goes right to your soul.

And just slow down and smell the roses.