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The Power of Slow

Writer's picture: David MotzenbeckerDavid Motzenbecker
A person gazes at a massive redwood tree cross-section.
A visitor gazes in awe at the massive cross-section of an ancient Redwood tree, showcasing its intricate growth rings and immense size. (Created by DALL-E w/input from David Motzenbecker)



























“Fast gets all the attention. Slow has all the power.”

~ Stewart Brand, Pace Layers 2024

 

"Bless paper for the way it can kindle a campfire and a revolution, for the delicious confusion of cedar and velvet at the tip of your finger each time you turn the page, for its whispered promise that when all the empires of silicon and bit go the way of Babylon and Rome, it will remain the keeper of our stories."

~ Maria Popova, The Marginalian, 2025


 

Nature, in its quiet majesty, offers profound lessons on the virtues of slowness and the inherent power it holds. Redwood trees and mountains live their lives within the framework of millennia. Humanity cannot even begin to comprehend what it is like to exist at that timescale. Our lives are mere blips on the radar – blinking on and off with nary a notice from the Rockies or the Alps or General Sherman – the true chroniclers of resilience and endurance.


General Sherman sequoia tree in a snowy forest.
The majestic General Sherman Tree, the largest known living single-stem tree on Earth, stands tall in Sequoia National Park, surrounded by a snowy landscape. Credit: Grenzlandstern, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

The Grand Canyon, with its awe-inspiring vistas, is a masterpiece carved by the patient flow of the Colorado River, a reminder that true power often lies in persistent, unhurried processes.

 

Instead of reserving all our admiration for our own species, perhaps we give the ego a rest and try admiring trees, with their towering presence and steadfast endurance, for a moment. These living archives of time preserve within their rings the stories and events of centuries. These silent sentinels have witnessed the rise and fall of civilizations. Their wood, transformed into paper as Maria Popova’s quote so artfully describes, becomes an extension of their legacy, carrying forward the wisdom and narratives of humanity in a tactile and enticing way.

 

Some trees – like Methuselah the Bristlecone Pine – have lived nearly 5,000 years! Redwoods live over a millennium. Mountains are timeless, unconstrained by human measurements of time.


An ancient bristlecone pine.
Ancient and resilient, a stunning bristlecone pine stands against the barren landscape, showcasing its twisted and gnarled form under a clear sky.

In today’s fast-paced world, where speed and immediacy often dominate, nature's lessons remind us that true power and lasting impact are often the fruits of slower, more deliberate efforts. Just as the seasons change and the tides ebb and flow, there is an intrinsic power in the steady and measured rhythms of the natural world, urging us to recognize and embrace the profound strength in taking our time. What if, instead of giving ‘fast’ all the attention, we began to shift our focus onto what really has the power – the ‘slow’ things of this world?

 

To be fair, we did try – once. Do you remember the ‘Slow Food’ movement? It emerged in Italy in 1986 when one Carlo Petrini protested the opening of a McDonald’s in the heart of Rome. This protest blossomed into a cultural conversation on the quality of food, savoring a meal, freshness, and more. This then evolved into a more generalized ‘Slow Movement’ where, according to Wikipedia, “key ideas include prioritizing quality over quantity, savoring the present moment, and fostering connections with people and the environment. It encourages a more intentional approach to daily activities, promoting sustainable practices and mindfulness. The movement spans various domains such as food, cities, education, fashion, and more, advocating for a balanced and holistic lifestyle that resists the fast-paced demands of modern society.”

 

Unfortunately, I cannot seem to recall the last time I read or heard about anything related to this movement. Fast took over again and swept it far away into the cultural dustbin.

 

In a world increasingly dominated by digital technology, tactile experiences of the senses are urgently needed as a comforting reminder of our connection to nature. The feel of paper beneath our fingers evokes the texture of tree bark, the smell of the forest after rain connects us to our deep-seated, primal DNA instruction manuals. Leaf colors in the fall amidst the changing leaves stir such a resonant appreciation for beauty it is hard to look away. Bird song delicately teases our ears each Spring, a reminder that the world is waking up from the stillness of Winter.

 

So while it is still winter, let us commit to elevating the slow – at least for a month or so. Let your mind drift as it ponders the naked branches in all their fractal beauty. Look at the stunning patterns and crystals of ice and snow, absorbing the fact that no two are the same – just like no two fingerprints are the same.


Close-up of a snowflake with intricate patterns, showcasing its crystalline structure.
Intricate beauty of an individual snowflake. Credit: Don Komarechka

As you navigate the rapid pace of modern life, do not allow yourself to forget the enduring power of trees and nature. They remind us that true strength lies in patience and persistence. In the grand tapestry of time, nature will remain steadfast, continuing to bear witness to the unfolding saga of humanity.

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