The Slowmandments
Wake up five minutes earlier than usual so you have
time to shave, do your make up or have breakfast without hurrying
While queuing at the supermarket or in traffic
relax, don’t get angry and try to use your time for planning your day or talking
to your neighbor in line
When you enter a café, make a habit of saying
hello to the waiter before ordering and after enjoying your coffee remember to
say goodbye (this rule works for all stores, offices and in the elevator!)
Write your text messages on your cell phone with no symbols or
abbreviations and get in the habit of starting with “Dear…”
When possible, don’t do two things at the same time (for example don’t
write while speaking on the phone). You run the risk of becoming impolite and imprecise
Don’t join and don’t let your children join any teams or activities that
are far from home
Avoid being so busy and full of work that you don’t have time for yourself
and the delight of thinking about nothing
Don’t force yourself go shopping; most probably
there is enough food in your cupboard to make something tasty for dinner
Sometimes go to the corner shop even to buy what
you need, even if it’s not cheap; this will save you time and stress
Go
for a walk, alone or in company, to a local restaurant rather than driving and
waiting in traffic to get to your customary eatery across town
In the evening turn off the television and read
the newspaper
In the weekends don’t always leave town, learn
to enjoy your own city, wherever it is
If you have a two-week break from work, spend
ten days on holiday and the remaining days relaxing before and after your trip
Stop saying: “I don’t
have time to…” – these words won’t make you appear more important than you are
and will only cause you stress
