May be I should call this article part two of A Lesson From Rooney, an article I wrote a couple of months ago. I toyed with not writing about this particular subject that seems to have dominated my consciousness for the past few days. However, how can one ignore that still small voice that won't go away?

I have just returned from a terrific camping trip in Abersoch, a beautiful part of Wales' Lleyn Peninsula with my three children. We have had a ball, cooking, eating al fresco, cricket on the beach, digging holes in the sand, fishing and crabbing with no TV, internet or telephones. Apart from all of this the point is that as a sucker for book shops (groan from the kids) I picked up a copy of a wonderful book called 'In Praise of Slow' from the only bookshop in the village. It is essentially about the opposite of the rat race. Embracing simple and steady living, enjoying the moment. Rushing, 'a la New York' being definitely out..

The day before I bought the book I had been sitting people watching outside my tent. In particular I couldn't help watching a lady who had obviously had a stroke and was significantly paralaysed on her right side.

I thought, putting on my therapist hat, how frustrating it must have been for her as it took her such a long time to walk to the shower block and do all the other everday things we take for granted. I was basing this judgement on the fact that she was forced by her circumstances to do everything at a certain pace. Speed for her, as we know it, was out of the question.

My attitude changed somewhat after I had begun to read the book 'In Praise of Slow' which, as I said earlier is all about the joys of living life at its own pace and enjoying the moment for what it is rather than seeing everything but the result as an inconvenience. May be it was not such an inconvenience after all to have no choice but to have the time to enjoy the simple things in life.

Strangely enough back at home as I sit down to work on my website (www.the-rehabilitation-room.com) which I have been working on steadily day by day for almost a year now I am hit between the eyes by the whole principle of website busisness development SBI style. I am building a website with a fantastic company called SBI (anyone who has any aspirations of having their own online business must check them out.) The point is that the SBI concept of online success is built on the TORTOISE PRINCIPLE. That is slow and steady wins the race. A little bit at a time each day is the key. No worries, no hassle just keep on doing it and enjoy the moment as it is.

Hang on, how many times do I need to be told? Slow and sure is not only healthy but it works everytime in the long run. I preach patience everday in my physical therapy practice. It was just that I was not practising what I was preaching in all aspects of my life. Well you can bet after all of these lessons I am making a concerted effort to utilise the tortoise principle in all aspects of my life. Try it, it is not easy but you will be amazed.

There is a SLOW REVOLUTION rising in the world to rescue it from death by speed. If you think I am exaggerating when I use the word death - read the book and see for yourself. You will laugh and cringe as you see yourself as a participant of the now culture.

This is not meant to be an advert for the book or anything else apart from a discussion of the principe of the tortoise adopted by SBI which can be applied universally to make life better. Go on dare yourself to slow down.

Copyright 2006 Robert Ryles