It’s been a week of ponderment as jorg&olif found itself at an event launch that centered around a slow, sustainable lifestyle. Yet the organisers did not appear to walk their talk or even pretend that they were. It was a classic adage of “saying one thing and doing another”. Of course, it’s easy to judge, but it got us asking the question: “Do actions still speak louder than words?”
In every culture, there is a historical proverb to reflect the importance of movement and doing rather than mere intention:
Arabia: A promise is a cloud; fulfillment is rain.
China: Talk doesn’t cook rice.
France: The first step binds one to the second.
Africa: When deeds speak, words are nothing.
This shows that action – however small it may be – is positive.
It’s not saying that one shouldn’t deliberate – we all know that a dose of procrastination is healthy to ensure we are confident in our approach. A beautiful Kiswahili phrase poetically describes this: “Haraka haraka haina baraka” (translation: Hurry hurry has no blessing). But what we think, know and feel about something is quite often the opposite of what we do. In modern society, rather than the pure, unadulterated pleasure of just doing the activity, there is a lot of “should do” and the overwhelming responsibility that accompanies it.
A friend recently described how she doesn’t enjoy the process of dating because of the unavoidable small talk – she just wanted to experience the moment with someone for what it was rather than talk about the weather, hear about the details of their date’s next career steps or be expected to list her favourite foods. I’m sure that she’s not the only one who has felt this way.
Speaking could be viewed as an antithesis to Slow Life. If we breathe in the moment, pause to mindfully listen and experience it for what it really is, we can shape our own actions and become inspired. There is no need for “I should donate to charity”, “I should make my own bread” or “I should say the right thing, even though I’m not entirely convinced”. If we are in the moment, the action comes naturally and the “should” quietly fades away.
It’s a substantial challenge to hit the brakes when we’ve been speeding along. All that kinetic energy has to go somewhere and if we try to speed up the slowing down process we can end up in the mud. But if we leisurely wind down we will find that we are doing more and being truer to ourselves and our beliefs. And that’s what authentic is.
Bodhidharma, a Buddhist zen monk who lived in the 5th century stated, “All know the way; few actually walk it.”
What do you think? Have you had a moment when you have found that actions do not speak louder than words? How do you slow down? What activities inspire you and expose your authentic self? jorg&olif would love to hear from you.
Photos: MousyBoyWithGlasses
