Have you ever
wanted to tell life to pause or to straightforwardly tell it to shut up? That,
stop-the-world-i-want-to-get-off feeling because of stress and all that crap. In
this modern day and age, we try to fit more and more to something less and
less. Each day becomes a race against the clock because time is scarce. We have
been trained to believe that faster is always better and that busier is best.
But we forgot that it is our right to slow down at those right moments. Now,
you try to reflect. Are you living a good life or are you just experiencing a
fast life?
I am a supporter of the Slow Movement. I
was introduced with Slow Culture in my Social Artistry class. The social
artistry of slow culture aims to change the mindset of the people and to let
them not just to experience but to live life without rushing things. Basically,
it is a movement that advocates a cultural shift towards slowing down life’s
pace. It began in 1986 in Italy as a Slow Food Movement. Today the Slow
Movement branches to several aspects of life. There is Slow Food, Slow Living,
Slow Gardening, Slow Parenting, Slow Schools and a whole lot more.
Now
you might think that what I'm saying is too superficial. Like, how is it
possible to slow down with all these tests, deadlines, requirements and what
not’s? But I tell you this is not that superficial. This is achievable. It just
needs baby steps.
There
are benefits if you try to slow down every once in a while.
1. Slowing down
makes you feel relaxed and reconnected. Why? Because if a person learns to slow
down, he is also giving peace a chance. You experience peace within yourself.
When was the last time you pampered yourself? When was the last time you gave
yourself a chance to marvel at things? Try to reconnect with yourself and
rethink about your priorities, your life as whole. Sometimes, things get too
crowded and there's the feeling of losing yourself with all the chaos. When was
the last time, you allowed peace to enter your whole life? You surely don’t
want to look back and ask, “What happened to me during those days?”
2. Slowing down allows you to become more engaged or present in the
moment. You learn to appreciate the simple and little things in life. When was
the last time you slowed down just to watch the sunset? Or have you ever
marveled at the smile of the baby your sitting next to in the jeepney? With
appreciation comes, gratefulness. If you slow down you would witness life's
little miracles and be so thankful for it. Now, I ask you, today, what are you
thankful for?
3. Change. Slowly you develop a
better you. A you who is aware of others. A you who is connected with the
people. A you who does not just go with the flow, but a you who directs the
flow.
Slowing down could actually lead to a
better living. It is not superficial. It is possible. If we could only give it
a try, if we could only give peace a chance to enter our lives… We are young.
We have a long way to go. Let us try to live a good life instead of just
experiencing a fast life. Slow down every once in a while.
