It's not even Thanksgiving and I am already hearing holiday music and seeing decorated trees in the department stores. I'd like to be the first to remind you to slow down and smell the potpourri!

One of the biggest stress factors we can invite into our lives is the choice to hurry. I used to time my arrival for appointments so that I didn't have to wait. You know, that dreaded exercise-wait, done in a wait room?

Inevitably I would run into the unexpected traffic jam or some other beyond my control holdup and arrive breathless and panicky. It took a few lessons but as I started to gain confidence in the skills I was learning from the program, I noticed that I could manage longer "wait-time." That led to leaving the house a few minutes early... on purpose. I noticed an immediate improvement in how I felt. (My blood pressure readings even went down at doctor appointments.)

I now arrive early for any appointment I have. I always carry the latest book I'm reading and enjoy the quiet of "wait-time."

That's my emotional appeal... Now for a logical, down to earth example: What is the difference between the time it takes to travel 25 miles if you speed at 65m.p.h. instead of the posted 55m.p.h.? Get that pencil out. Search those memory banks.

FOUR minutes, big deal? Only if you are in labor! "Hurry" is a peace destroyer. No matter how many minutes you "save," it's not worth it.

On four or five index cards write: "slow down-breathe." Leave your reminder cards where you can see them throughout your home, in your car, at your place of work. Visuals help reprogram.

Be good to yourselves... slow down,
Carolyn Dickman