“Make haste slowly” is the ancient Roman way of saying, “You’ll get more done if you stop running around like a crazy person.” I’ll share with you a goal I set last weekend: to move slower and avoid snap decisions. The resolution lasted about five minutes and I pretty much forgot about it until yesterday, when the thought popped up, “Where did that good intention go?”
Here’s how the goal came about. Virtue is about putting love into action, like being patient with co-workers or taking a ham and Swiss to Ray, the corner panhandler. We can always be looking for ways to grow virtue and shrink obstacles to it.
Moving too fast grows out of a desperation that takes away from our ability to approach everything with love. In other words, habitual rushing reveals a lack of trust in Divine Providence that deters growth in virtue. It sends the message, “Everything depends on me and my projects. If I don’t do this now, the world will collapse.”
Fear is the enemy of love, and habitual rushing expresses fear. Not to say pride. I think that rushing is also a kind of drug that keeps us from having to face uncertainty and our own deficits. In glossing over uncertainty, I realized I was missing opportunities to engage heart-to-heart with other people – a crucial aspect of a happy life.
So, the resolution to slow down lasted five minutes and went dormant for days. Not a reason to be discouraged, though – the first step had been taken! The only mistake now would be to try again what didn’t work before. So, what to do differently this time?
First thought was to wear a rubber band on my wrist as a reminder. Good start – let’s do it. If a better idea comes later, we’ll switch to that.
I keep in a dish the bands I take off bunches of broccoli and scallions — empty today. There has to be one in the kitchen junk-drawer – one rubber band, too small. Three drawers later, I find the rubber band I’m wearing now. And I’m typing this blog post slower than normal, just so I can tell you I did.
Anybody notice a missing part? Right! I’m making all these decisions without taking time to ask God to help me. I’ll be right back….
Okay — Slowing Down 2.0 is launched. I’d love to hear your stories of creativity and perseverance in removing obstacles to your spiritual growth.
Wish me luck!
Rose
Danny
I love this topic. I think this is a common problem of the constantly connected world we live in. I am going to focus on being efficient, specifically spending more time deliberating on the task directly in front of me. Good luck Rose!
You can do it!
Rose Folsom
Well, Danny, good news so far: it’s Wednesday and I’ve been walking slower, driving slower, and listening more. The rubber band’s worked great. I may get a rubber band for every outfit…or every virtue? I hope you’re having success, too!
Rose
Roberta
Rose,
What a lovely reminder. Just when I needed it. It’s midnight and I’m going to put away my devices and sleep well on your bedtime story. When I wake up I’m going to be present…What a gift!
Appreciating your wisdom…
Rose Folsom
Roberta,
Thanks for the gift of your good example!
Rose
Jini Druliner
I am really loving your blog. Especially this one tonight. Oh so hard to break those old habits, esp. the rushing habit! Rushing for me is a way to not be present to what I am doing but to be on the next upcoming thing….so I stumble and make mistakes and then fly off the handle and curse and swear!!! Praying has helped and now I can stay with the confusion I have made and set things aright and stick with it till I am done. Not very comfortable but no swear words need apply! Holy virtue Batman!!!
Rose Folsom
Jini — Thanks for your insights and for adding to the discussion!
Rose