The Art of Slowing Down

In this era of modern technology, of Internet and virtual reality, the word “slow” seems to be getting out of place.

Ours is a generation where everyone and everybody appear to be always on the run. Yeah, running to meet an appointment or beat the deadline. A few days ago, I was in a hurry to make it on time with my physiotherapist but I got to her place an hour late. (Talk to me of punctuality!) The reason: I also got tied up with some pressing matters in the convent so I was not able to leave on time. As expected, she was no longer around when I got there. She also left to meet another appointment. (Of course, I would have done the same had I been in her shoes.) You see, we become experts on this so much so that eventually it becomes a way of life for us. For those who have been born and bred to this fast paced way of life, they find it difficult to understand how others can move slowly, taking their time in everything they do, as if they have all the time in the world.

My personal experience teaches me that going about slowly (but reflectively) is an art that should be learned and mastered especially at this time of technological explosion. Modern technology especially computers and Internet have so many positive uses and contributed immensely in making our 20th century lifestyle so efficient. By next century perhaps, what we now consider fast will be regarded as slow and obsolete. On the other hand however, technological efficiency has also affected some people’s attitude towards others who are less efficient and slow moving. Even relationship is affected. For instance, I know of people who have more time to spend with their computers than with their companions at home.

I must confess that I belong to this breed of “instant babies” whom are products of this computer generation where efficiency and fast paced kind of lifestyle are part and parcel of. This is precisely why at the start of 1999 and at the eve of the third millenium I am suddenly jolted into reality of what is happening into my life.

Yeah, I think going about slowly is an art that has to be mastered and enjoyed (at least by me). I came across of a beautiful prayer by Richard Cardinal Cushing of which I am quoting in full. This is an old prayer but the message is very timely.

Slow me down, Lord.
Ease the pounding of my heart by the quieting of my mind.
Steady my hurried pace with a vision of the eternal reach of time.
Give me, amid the confusion of the day, the calmness of the everlasting hills.

Break the tensions of my nerves and muscles with the soothing music
of the singing streams that live in my memory.
Help me to know the magical, restoring power of sleep.

Teach me the art of taking minute vacations –
of slowing down to look at a flower, to chat with a friend,
to pat a dog, to read a few lines from a good book.

Remind me each day of the fable of the hare and the tortoise,
That I may know that the race is not always to the swift –
That there is more to life than increasing its speed.

Let me look upward into the branches of the towering oak and know
That it grew great and strong because it grew slowly and well.

Slow me down, Lord, and inspire me to send my roots deep into the soil
of life’s enduring values that I may grow toward the stars
of my greater destiny.

I wish the same prayer for you dear readers.