Go Slow : Do Fewer Things

In a small town nestled between the bustling city and the calm countryside, there lived a young boy named Arif. Arif was known for his boundless energy. He raced from one task to another, hardly ever stopping to breathe. Whether it was schoolwork, helping at home, or playing with friends, Arif was always in a hurry.

One sunny afternoon, while darting through the town’s market, Arif stumbled upon a man painting a canvas. The painter, unlike Arif, was not rushing. His movements were deliberate, almost in slow motion. Each stroke of his brush was a thoughtful choice, each color mixed with precision. This painter, Mr. Faisal, was a modern Sufi, a person who seeks to find deep wisdom in every action.

Curious, Arif asked, “Why do you paint so slowly? Wouldn’t you get more paintings done if you were faster?”

Mr. Faisal smiled, his eyes twinkling with a quiet knowledge. “Arif,” he began, his voice calm and soothing, “when you rush, you see a lot of things but do you truly see anything? By going slow, I see the world not just as it is, but as it could be. Each stroke captures a thought, a feeling, and a moment.”

“But isn’t it better to do more?” Arif persisted, his young mind wrestling with the concept.

“Is it better to have many half-finished stories in your mind, or one beautiful tale that you know by heart?” Mr. Faisal replied, dipping his brush into a palette of vibrant colors.

Arif thought about it. He thought about the times he hurried through his homework and ended up with mistakes, or when he rushed through playing a game and didn't enjoy it as much.

“Would you like to try?” Mr. Faisal offered, handing Arif a small brush.

With a nod, Arif took the brush. He started with quick, hurried strokes. Mr. Faisal gently guided him to slow down. “Feel the brush as it moves over the canvas. Let it tell you its story.”

As Arif slowed his pace, he began to understand. The painting wasn’t just about filling the space on the canvas; it was about creating something meaningful, something lasting. It wasn’t long before Arif found himself lost in the act of painting, his usual rush forgotten.

Weeks passed, and Arif adopted this new approach not just in painting, but in everything he did. He noticed that by doing one thing at a time, he made fewer mistakes in his homework, enjoyed his meals more, and even found new depths in his friendships.

One day, returning to Mr. Faisal’s studio, Arif brought his own painting to show. It was a simple scene of the town market, but unlike any he had done before. It was thoughtful, detailed, and alive with emotions.

Mr. Faisal looked at the painting and then at Arif. “You see, by going slow, you capture not just the market, but also the heart of our town. You’ve learned to see the beauty in the moment.”

Arif learned something valuable: when you go slow, you don’t just do things; you experience them. And sometimes, the best way to understand the world is one moment, one breath, one stroke at a time.

Just like Arif and Mr. Faisal, taking our time helps us see the beauty and wisdom in the world around us. Sometimes, the secret to understanding something really big is to start slow, and take it one thing at a time.