Slowing Down to the Speed of Wisdom
“Whatever your faith, or your interest in spiritual paths, give yourself some time in retreat or nature or workshops to help you slow down to the speed of wisdom.”
The analogy of a puzzle has been a constant in my life. Whenever I did not understand something or got mired down in research without reaching a conclusion, I would ask myself, what is that missing puzzle piece? I felt this most during my years as a community developer. Working with colleagues representing different sectors, we used our collective experience in seeking responses to community problems. We occasionally had brilliant ideas and knew we were on the right path, but something would be missing. Yes, it would be that missing puzzle piece. Standing back, taking our time, and looking at the big picture always provided the insight we needed. I facilitated many processes where walls would be covered in Post-it notes as we searched for that elusive piece that would pull everything together.
I knew then that I needed to take it slow; answers emerge given sufficient time. I was reminded of my puzzle processing through several serendipitous quotes this week.
In an interview with Kate Ledu, Mary Pipher spoke of what older women had told her about time when she was researching her book, Women Rowing North: Navigating Life’s Currents and Flourishing As We Age.
“The really beautiful thing for most older women is we have more time. So, for example, one thing I never did when I was a working mom was get up in the morning, make myself a cup of coffee, and sit for half an hour and watch the sunrise. And just kind of settle into my day and set my intention. It’s a beautiful thing. And there’s a line author Vicki Robin uses called “slowing down to the speed of wisdom.” And there’s really something to that. If you slow down, you have time to be present, you have time to be kind, you have time to be aware of the world around you.” - Mary Pipher
In the article, 6 Gifts of Aging, Parker J. Palmer uses the metaphor of a tapestry as he describes how, with age, he now sees how everything connects. Another reminder to step back for a broader view.
“The discovery piece of aging is being able to look back and say, “Ah, that is how it all connects.” If I can use the metaphor of a tapestry that you have been and are still weaving, I can also say that there are ugly threads of failure or misunderstanding. But looking back, you can see how those (threads) become an integral part of the weave, not only adding beauty but also contrast, and they strengthen the resilience of the fabric. These are things that I couldn’t see in my 30s or even into my 60s.
When you discover these patterns in your life, then you can look around you with new eyes and look ahead with more perceptiveness, with your feet on the ground, and not be carried away by fear. I can’t imagine a sadder way to die than realizing I never showed up in this world as myself. That would be a particular kind of psychological pain that I would find almost unbearable. If you can say you showed up, more often than not, with your heart in your hand, you can die with a certain sense of satisfaction. You have become what you were meant to be.”
One final quote from Vicki Robins, who started me down this path of slowing down to the speed of wisdom.
“I jokingly say that I’m terminally curious. I love to learn. I love to put thoughts together like a jigsaw puzzle and then wrap them in words. I love to tinker with social norms, seeing if a push here or there might make the system work better. My personal memories and my public works all have this flavor.” - Vicki Robin
And so I return, full circle. Like Robin, I love learning and sharing that learning. I have, and always will be, an information broker. I do this now through my writing, and the process still resembles piecing a puzzle. I begin with gathering ideas, research, and thoughts. I listen to you, collect information from ‘experts’, and tune in to myself. I then allow some time for everything to simmer. Then I take my pages of scribbled notes and play with them until they make sense.
I share my words with you. You provide me with your thoughts and wisdom. I sit with your words. And I am rewarded with more learning, insights, and additional pieces to the puzzle.