Slow Is Beautiful

Author: Nikhil

Have we ever stopped and considered how fast-paced our life has become of late? We wake up in the morning and our first thought is probably about the things we have to get done that day. We rush through the day, with little or no time for anything and more often than not, sitting in out brightly lit air-conditioned cubicles in office, we don’t even realize that the day’s over and night’s set in.

I was watching the nes this morning, where they talked about how the “Slow Life” movement has revolutionized Japan and how other countries are accepting this movement and adapting to it.

The Slow Movement first began when a protest against the opening of a McDonald’s restaurant in Piazza di Spagna, Rome sparked the creation of the Slow Food organization, as well as developing into a subculture in various other areas, Slow Travel, Slow Shopping, and Slow Design, just to name a few.

Professor Guttorm Fløistad summarizes the entire philosophy, stating: “The only thing for certain is that everything changes. The rate of change increases. If you want to hang on you better speed up. That is the message of today. It could however be useful to remind everyone that our basic needs never change. The need to be seen and appreciated! It is the need to belong. The need for nearness and care, and for a little love! This is given only through slowness in human relations. In order to master changes, we have to recover slowness, reflection and togetherness. There we will find real renewal.”

- Wikipedia

This probably brings new meaning to the phrase, “Stop the World and I’ll get off!”

The official website of the Slow Movement discusses how we have lost connection to most aspects of our life and to the natural world and the rhythms around us, and how we can reconnect – how we can live a connected life. The Slow Movement is a worldwide movement to recapture this state of connectedness. The movement is gaining momentum, as more and more people recognise their discomfort at the fast pace and disconnected nature of their lives.

The next time you feel harried and flustered and start thinking that there isn’t enough time to do what needs to be done, don’t panic. Relax, take a few deep breaths, go for a slow walk and clear your head and prioritize your work. Don’t rush into things.

Image Courtesy: Renaissance*Man