#15 - The Slow Lane

I have spent most of my life in the fast lane. I speak fast, I eat fast, I walk fast, I read fast, I type fast and I learn fast.

But - does all this actually get me anywhere faster? People don't always understand what I say so I have to repeat myself, I can gobble down a meal without really tasting it, and I can miss the scenery. I have five books on the go and the paperwork of numerous projects on my desk. Life is so exciting that I want to do EVERYTHING! NOW! but what happens is that when the initial adrenalin rush dies down, I'm left exhausted and overwhelmed.

Somewhere along the line I associated going fast with playing big - I thought if I did things quickly it meant I did them well. What I'm now learning is that less is often more and that by slowing down, I can go further.

Yesterday, I read a paragraph of my favourite coaching textbook. Normally, I would skim it, nod excitedly and move on. This time, I read it. Then I read it again. Then I got some paper and pen and I wrote the paragraph out, slowly, deliberately, consciously, letting each word sink in. The paragraph took on so much more meaning - I could really visualise myself using the approach, and when I was in conversation an hour later, I caught myself applying the principle unconsciously and was amazed at how effective it was.

Slowing down allows me to be more present. To enjoy the depth of the moment, to focus, to savour and luxuriate in the life surrounding and within me. I think I could get quite used to the slow lane.

Inquiry: What is it to live my life slowly?

Action: Slow an activity right down. Chew every mouthful 100 times, feel every muscle of your legs as you cycle, or type deliberately, connecting with each letter on your keypad. Notice how much more there is to this action and how much more there is to you when you do this.

#14 - Feeling Alive

I've become addicted to cooking. This past week, I've spent hours in the kitchen sampling new recipes. In keeping with what I experienced at One World Festival, the food is all vegan and macrobiotic and feels incredibly vibrant. Some of the veggies I'm using are even grown in my garden so you can't get much fresher than that. I used to think I didn't have the time or energy to home cook from scratch but I actually find the process makes me feel MORE alive and full of beans.

The word 'macrobios' is translated as 'big life' and that's what I feel I have. Our whole house has started buzzing with life. We've had a lot of friends round so there's been the sound of animated conversation and laughter filling the rooms. I've made a new deal with myself which limits me to 30 minutes per day on the computer which means that virtual interactions on the Net have been replaced by real, in-person connections. It's also helped reduce our electricity use - anyone else feel drained by the constant drone of computers? As if all this weren't enough, I was involved with organising the youth section of a festival at the weekend where I watched live music, danced, played games and got to hang out with loads of young people - things which always fuel me.

Food that's alive, company that's alive... I'm loving my big alive life!

Inquiry: What makes me feel truly alive?

Action: Keep two lists - one of activities which make you feel alive and one of activities which drain you. Notice which kind you fill your days with at the moment - and commit to increasing the life in your life from this moment on.

#13 - Holidays

I've just returned from two weeks' holiday and feel incredible. Energised, inspired, connected, and full of fresh ideas to incorporate into my life and work.

What has occasioned this? A week in Devon, relaxing deeply with my partner and our family. And then One World Festival - which you can find out more about at www.macrobios.com. This was a holiday which nourished mind, body and spirit. We ate vegan, macrobiotic food; did Qi Gong, swam & danced around the campfire; learnt about permaculture, kinesiology & holistic health; meditated, sang & made friends for life. Travelling there by train kept our carbon footsteps light and the roundtrip was only four hours door to door which eliminated the exhaustion often felt in longer-haul holidays.

This holiday seems to fit perfectly with the theme of 'doing things differently'. It's interesting to think about what the automatic default option with holidays is....and then consider what it would be like to choose differently? Do we go on holidays to find ourselves? Find others? Discover the world? Get away from it all?

With the events in the news last week and growing awareness of the impact of aviation on the climate, people are starting to rethink holidays. Maybe we are looking closer to home and maybe we are seeking something deeper within ourselves.

Inquiry: What is it to have a 'holiday'?

(Reminder: As with other inquiries in this format, you could put the word 'holiday' in the centre of a piece of paper and let yourself brainstorm/mindmap over the week)

Action: Take a holiday as close to home as you can get. Imagine your house was a holiday home - what would you rearrange to occasion the most comfort possible? What food would you cook that would really nourish you? What would you read, what games would you play, what conversations would you have? Get a tourist guide for your area and plan a trip - if only for a couple of hours. What would you visit, where would you linger for a drink, what brave new things might you try? Notice how it feels to change your perspective on a place you may have thought was so familiar.