ASAP

Deadlines

Targets

Urgent

I have always associated these words with ASAP. After all it’s an acronym for as soon as possible, right? Well, not necessarily. A few months ago, I came across a different take – the opposite, in fact.

ASAP can also be 

as slow as possible,

as soft as possible,

as sustainable as possible,

as steady as possible, and

allow space and pause.

Immediately, it resonated with me because I’ve being applying this in my personal life. The ASAP mantra has helped me realise that less is more. The less noise I subject myself to; the more I can hear my inner voice. The less things I have on my to-do list, the more I can make time for the things I really want to do. The less time I spend focusing on what I have not accomplished, the more time I can devote to achieving my goals. Slow, soft, sustainable and steady can be a winning formula.

This month marks five years since I was diagnosed with an auto-immune condition which has brought with it a range of health complications. I also experienced a major relapse earlier this year. It reminded me of the importance of time. The reality is that time is never on our side. We’re always running out of time – there are no guarantees. So, we have to live in the now, and make it count.

Talking about now… as I pen this, I’m part of a challenge at work to see if my colleagues and I can spend 50 minutes listening to an audio story, without talking or using technological devices. We’re allowed to draw, or write, whatever we fancy. Yes, I’m writing this with a pen in my notebook, the old-fashioned way. Through the glass window, I catch a glimpse of the tree leaves peeping at me, basking in the warmth of Durban’s beautiful winter sun. I’m captivated. In the distance, the ripples on the pond dance in tune with the natural rhythms of a Friday afternoon, ever so gently. Occasionally, birds glide through the clear blue sky. Three young girls dressed in white hop along the pathway, hand-in-hand, reminding me of my sisters and I during our childhood. 

These are the slow moments referred to in ASAP. These are the slow moments that feed our souls – like taking a walk on the beach, reading an interesting book, or spending quality time with friends and family, without expectations or judgments. Basically, whatever brings you calm, peace and happiness.  I know, it’s easier said than done to find these slow moments amid the busyness of life. But we must try our best.

As I prepare to hit send on this blog post, it’s the start of the holy Hindu period of Chaturmas – a spiritual time of discipline, reflection, and inner growth. Co-incidence? I think not. A powerful affirmation? Absolutely. Therein lies a message for us all – to go forth, ASAP, 

as slow as possible,

as soft as possible,

as sustainable as possible,

as steady as possible, and

allow space and pause.

(Image: Artist Unknown)