I first heard this quote “Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished” nearly ten years ago and it’s one that has stuck with me ever since.
Nature, being so massive and ubiquitous, having the ability to take its time and naturally achieve all it is meant precisely when it is meant to do so, it’s a fascinating concept to think about.
Whether we believe in fate, that our lives have already been predetermined and interwoven into the fabric of time way before we came into existence, or that everything is just random, there must be some form of magic permeating our universe that our brains simply cannot perceive or fathom.
As humans we are naturally wired to constantly focus on what’s next, using the present as a stepping stone rather than as a place to settle into.
We spend most of our time planning or rerunning variations of past situations in our mind.
We are always in a hurry, to finish whatever we are in the middle of doing, to grab our phones, to go down a rabbit hole of likely and unlikely scenarios, etc.
And yet, amongst all this rushing, we rarely feel like much of anything has been accomplished.
So how do we go about extracting a sliver of Nature’s powers in order to slow down our lives yet still feel as though we are making strides?
Is it possible for us to not only exist more fully in the moment but also feel a sense of certainty or faith, that all will be well one way or another?
I make it a habit to constantly return to the Stoic practice of the dichotomy of control, trying to separate in real time what is in our control versus what isn’t.
Nature seems to be a mysterious force that focuses on what it can do.
Our minds are equally mystifying, but fortunately for us we have the ability to be conscious of our thoughts and actions.
We can practice becoming more mindful throughout each day, recognizing when we begin to speed up, when we start to talk negatively to ourselves and when we feel emotions that send us spiraling downwards.
We are capable of taking a mental step back and seeing the way we live our lives. Through this objective lens it’s possible to make the choice to not be so hard on ourselves and instead learn to exercise love and kindness.
There’s nothing stopping us from becoming our own best friends, despite what may have happened in the past or the situation we find ourselves currently in.
It’s not something that will happen overnight. It cannot be rushed.
But if we decide to make a small change today, a shift in mindset and perspective, the results will compound generously in a short period of time and you’ll discover the elusive realm where peace and fulfillment can be attained.
Make the effort. Trust the process.