Yesterday, I was on the beach just after sunrise for my sister Amy’s weekly “Slow Flow” yoga class on Zoom.
It was a beautiful class, and I was surrounded by the stunning landscape of Playa Tamarindo here in Costa Rica. Low tide meant a huge, empty beach for me to enjoy the flow and take in the expansive and exuberant nature all around me.
However, as the class progressed, we picked up speed and the poses became more difficult. During one particular hold, I found myself shaking, sweating, and about to break…but then Amy said something to the class that was exactly what I needed to hear:
“SLOW DOES NOT MEAN EASY.”
And in that instant, everything actually felt easier and more fun.
It made me realize that going slow is a worthy goal, not a cop-out or a shortcut.
It also made me realize how intolerant we are, as a society, of slowness. It’s equated with laziness or aimlessness.
After all, when you know where you’re heading, wouldn’t you want to get there as quickly as possible? That's what we’ve always been taught.
But with the reframing of perspective that followed those powerful words, I realized that slow is harder than fast.
Everyone wants to be present in their life and not feel as if life is passing them by.
No one wants to live in a constant, chaotic flurry or feel like they’re trying to chase a tiger by the tail.
We all want to experience less stress and more focus, but how many actually practice it?
The problem is that SLOW TAKES WORK!
So instead, we hurry through life and practice distraction all day long.
Instead of waking up and deliberately beginning each day with intention, we wake up and check emails or social media, complain, rush around, and then keep that cycle going for most of the day.
It's familiar, practiced, and therefore "easy."
And it keeps us miserable.
Waking up and saying "Thank you" takes work.
Meditating every morning takes work.
Getting out in nature takes work.
Maintaining a gratitude journal takes work.
Exercising takes work.
Planning and prepping meals take work.
Listening with care and attention takes work
Spending time knowing your purpose takes work.
Raising your own vibrations to be less affected by external things and people takes work.
In essence, feeling calm and peaceful takes work. But this “work” is where the joy and fulfillment of life exist, and this work feels less and less like work with practice, repetition, and consistency.
But most people take shortcuts or do busy work because it's easier. They subconsciously (and often consciously) avoid the things that really move the needle, the change that feels uncomfortable, or the conversations that are easier to avoid.
And it’s simply because it’s what’s practiced, comfortable, and easy. But who the hell said that the most worthwhile things in life are easy?
Thanks sis for always inspiring me.
Slow may not mean easy...but man, is it worth it.
I’m currently focusing my energy on sharing messages like these in corporate workshops, at conferences, and at other speaking engagements. If you’re interested in working together, book a call and let’s see if it’s a great fit!
Things I’ve shared recently:
All that I thought was all I was taught.
A magic pill to solve all of your problems?
Do you find value in these emails and stories? Consider forwarding this to coworkers, family, and friends…I truly appreciate you!
Enjoy the journey,
Mike