November 7, 2023

What would you do if you lived for four hundred years but stayed young in body and mind?

I know this feels like a fantastical question, but stay with me for a moment. I was practicing yoga and the instructor flat out said, "You've done this thousands of times." Meaning I've had past lives, or I'm pure consciousness which is beyond time. I don't know if any of that is true, but I like the idea nonetheless.

Anyway, it brought to mind a TV show I used to watch back in the 90's called Highlander. The main character, Duncan MacLeod, of the clan MacLeod, was an immortal born in the Scottish Highlands (hence the name of the show) in the 1500's. The show took place in the 1990's and he ran an antique shop, a good way to make money as an immortal I guess. Just sell off all your old stuff that is now super valuable.

I wondered what it would be like to live for so long. I assume I would have figured out a lot of things by then, like how to easily make money. My body would stay healthy because of my immortality. Although Duncan did work out a lot. He had to keep himself in shape for all those sword fights against other immortals. But in my imaginings, I've found ways around having to take anyone's head or protect my own with a sword. 

Would it then be okay to take things slowly? Or would I still feel rushed living in modern society? 

I often feel I move too slowly for this world, especially if I want to be successful. I can't keep up with the hustle culture and I really don't want to. I want to be able to take things slowly, to take my time, to rest in between activities. To have plenty of time by myself for things like yoga, meditation, reading. 

As introverts living in modern times, we're often given the message that taking our time is somehow wrong. It means we're unambitious, unable to keep up. We must adapt, put ourselves out there, push ourselves to network. 

I seem to be too fed up with all of that to make myself do it too much anymore. What's so wrong with slow? Maybe the world would be a better place if slowness was more accepted and encouraged.

I remember being in second grade and getting a C in reading class. I was taking too long on tests because I was trying to be neat in my handwriting. My father made me sit in the guest room for an hour because of that C. I was supposed to be studying, but no one really checked to be sure. I don't remember what I did for that hour, but I know I never got a C again (except once in PE but that didn't count for my dad because it wasn't academic). 

I stopped trying to be neat. I stopped following my curiosity. I adapted. I hurried myself up. And it worked. It got people off my back. It got me a free ride to college. But what did I lose in the process?

I'm reclaiming my slowness. Allowing myself to take my time, to go at a pace that feels good to me. Maybe it's ok to respond to others more slowly. To take some time to percolate about what I want to say. Maybe it's ok for all of us to do so. It's definitely ok in this space. Encouraged even.  

We may not be immortal like Duncan MacLeod. We may not have thousands of past lives. But in this life, we can take things slowly, at least some of the time. Find a pace that works for us.

What is one thing you'd like to take your time with or do at a slower pace?