HUMAN SPEED

Here is an interesting experiment: take a stroll on a street that you have never walked on before but have driven through many times. You may be surprised by the number of interesting things you see while walking that you never noticed before while driving. The street seems so different from before, even though you know it has not changed.

Speed is what makes the difference. When you walk, you are moving at the natural rate of a human being, and your senses operate at their best. You perceive more, absorb more and understand more.

When you drive, your speed is far greater than what is natural for you. Even when you think you are not driving that fast, it is still much faster than the design that evolution has built into you. Thus, everything flies past as a blur. You receive surface impressions, but no details, no depth and no real understanding.

Speed is all very well, and sometimes it is necessary. But what do we sacrifice when we go far beyond what is natural for us? In our hurry to reach a particular destination, has the journey of life become one giant blur of superficial impressions?

The Tao Today

When you find yourself rushing to get somewhere or to finish a task, ask yourself: Is speed necessary in this case, or am I just going as fast as possible out of habit? In every instance, look for opportunities to moderate to the level of human speed. This will not apply in every case, but when it does, you will find yourself discovering all kinds of interesting things you never noticed before.

The Tao of Joy Every Day

~ Derek Lin