I admit it. I am a huge Chris Guillebeau fan. I devour everything he writes. His blog post today, however, really threw me and prompted this response. Chris is coming out with a manifesto tomorrow that presents an alternative to the movement to slow down and be present. He says that what we really need to do is “HURRY UP. Life is short, so we should put our limited time to good use.” Since I promote contemplative living, I had to really think about what he was saying. Chris begins,
Everywhere you go, you hear about how you should slow down. First it was slow food (a good thing). Then there was slow living (not so good) and the rejection of striving and effort (even worse).
The central part of this message is: “There’s plenty of time. Stop hurrying and take it easy. Bake cakes, play in the forest, do what you want.”
Ouch! I’m a firm believer in recharging. A lot of great insights can come from playing in the forest and even baking cakes, besides contributing to better relationships.
Contemplative living is about careful observation. It’s about seeing reality exactly as it is, not filtered by our baggage, without our preconceived labels and judgments. It’s also about seeing ourselves at that same level, below the surface level of ego. I am not denigrating the ego. Our egos are a necessary part of development. However, if our egos completely run our lives, we will not be working and acting from the best possible place.
We need to go deeper, and act from a place that is most in alignment with our particular self and the needs of the world around us. Sometimes (not always), this requires slowing down, being still, being present. I say not always because this practice of careful observation can be learned and used even in the midst of action. And, I am betting that Chris, as he goes about his travels, practices this type of careful observation. I can tell he does from what he writes about his travel experiences and how it informs what he does with his life. Chris goes on.
Sure, you can “live in the present” — but if you want to build something beautiful, you’d better be thinking about the future as well.
Do those who promote being present not have goals and dreams or think about the future? I doubt it. I don’t think it is possible to live that way. And, even if it were, that wouldn’t preclude living a meaningful life. I would bet that Mother Theresa lived much of her life in the present. Her whole life was about responding to the needs of the moment.
I agree with Chris that we only have a short time on this earth and that there is a sense of urgency. That is why contemplative living is so, so important. Our actions should spring from that place where our greatest sense of purpose interacts with the world and makes an impact.
Action springing from contemplation.
Looking forward to reading your manifesto, Chris.
+1. Slowing down allows me to go ‘fast’ — to take action towards my dreams, my purpose because I actually know what they are.
I love that term – slowing down allows me to go “fast.”
Hi Kim, thanks so much for this post! I actually followed the link from Chris’ post over here to read what you had to say and agree totally. We can sleepwalk through life on autopilot and not be mindful or take notice of our surroundings. This is true whether you’re doing the 9-5 commute or on a whirlwind tour of hundreds of countries. I have made a more concerted effort to work 10-15 min. of quiet meditation into each day, to calm and quiet the restless mind, and develop more awareness. Look forward to reading more!
Thanks for the comment, Tom. Yes, I see a lot of mindless or ego-based action going on. I agree with Chris that there is a sense of urgency, but how do we really decide on right action? Meditation is one way.
You can’t read a compass clearly whilst you are trying to do and be everything right now whilst frantically multi-tasking. Being able to read your true compass really allows you to embrace life and is ironically central to achievement and purposeful effort. Thanks Kim
Thank you, Natalie!
I believe that with meditation and contemplation the future is clearer in fact.For me, less urgency brings a calmer environment to move forward. I can step back to see the big picture which is necessary to achieve great success.
Seeing the big picture does require slowing down or stepping back sometimes. Thanks, Norah.
I’m glad I found you on Squidoo, which ultimately led me here, and then back to Chris (who I found several months ago!) This post reminds me of the changes I need to make in my 2-job life, and I need to make them soon. I’m not being true to my real authentic self and I miss my creative roots.