On Slowness

Guest Written by Erik Dean

Tick tock. Hurry up. Places to be. People to see. Always something to get done. Deadlines. Meetings. Fear of missing out. Life is moving by at a blur. We live in a culture that emphasizes busyness and speed, that values being “productive” over just being, a culture that has turned our attention into a commodity. But is that really what we want? Historically, this pace of life is not normal, nor is it healthy.

Just a few generations ago our ancestors lived a slower life, a saner life. It was life at nature’s pace. We lived in rhythm with the natural cycles of the earth, in sync with the seasons, the sun, the moon, the migration of animals, and the growth of plants. Nature was our clock and our calendar, not a magic glowing rock.

In our fast-paced world, we can choose to slow down. We can choose to stop and smell the roses, to savor, to simply be present with what is. This moment is all we ever have. Your life is now. A bee doesn’t rush from flower to flower just to post pictures about them on social media. Bees take as much time as they need. They aren’t in a hurry, yet they get everything done.

Slowness is about quality, it’s about savoring, and it’s about being here, now. It’s about being more present and engaged with life, focusing more deeply on this moment and the small miracles that are unfolding around us every day. Slowness is healthy.