Let it SLOW, let it SLOW, let it SLOW…

SL W

 

As you probably know, this is the perfect time for New Year’s resolutions.

Been there, done that, got the T-shirt.

This year, however, I’m going to go for 1 word.

And it came to me during my walking meditation this week (hadn’t done one for a long time…): SLOW

SLOW is going to be my word for 2016. And writing about it now, should hold me accountable.

Why SLOW?

Well, the past trimester has been anything but SLOW. Lots of work, lots of travelling, rushing from one place to the other, trying to finish endless to-do-lists that only seem to get longer… And even though I’ve tried to keep on taking good care of my body, I have received some signals it’s time to SLOW down.

Now, don’t get me wrong: this won’t be easy. I walk fast, I talk fast, I eat fast… But that’s no excuse. “You always have a choice’” so… I’m going to give it a go.

 

I would even like to take this SLOW thing a bit further. A couple of years ago, I came across this acronym in the context of a mindfulness course. I liked it then and I like now: it totally fits my intention for 2016.

What did SLOW stand for? Stop – Land – Open – Wisdom

Stop. Often we are on the automatic pilot. We go on and on without taking a minute to take a step back to have a look at what we are doing. Is it really what we should be doing or how we should be doing it? Therefore it could be useful to (every once in awhile) stop whatever you are doing to …

Land. Land in the here and now, by focussing on your body and/or breath. Allowing some space to take a step back. In this space you need to …

Open. Open up to whatever you are thinking and feeling (emotions and sensations). What is going through your mind at the moment? Are these facts or possible limiting beliefs? Does whatever you’re doing ‘feel right’? Or could it be done differently and … possibly better? And becoming aware of all this will lead to…

Wisdom. If you take some time (= stop and land) and take all the information (=open) into account, your decision/response is going to be ‘wiser’ than when you stay on the automatic pilot. So… stop + land + open will lead to wisdom.

May 2016 bring a lot of ‘wise’ decisions.

 

What is YOUR word for 2016? Share below so we can hold you accountable!

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