The people I’m with talk fast, pray fast and eat fast. I interpret doing things quickly as being in a hurry, but I think that is mistaken.
Someone who is in a hurry doesn’t have time for interruptions, and can’t hide expressing that to the interrupter. Someone who is in a hurry doesn’t sit and chat for 20 minutes at the table after having finished their meal in 5. Examples can be multiplied.
Being in a hurry seems to involve living in, or at least for, the future in such a way that it severs us from the present. One can be acting quickly while being totally present. In fact, sometimes acting quickly helps focus the attention on the activity, e.g., prayer. I’ve heard this advice given to those who are having trouble with their mind wondering saying the Jesus Prayer.
At any rate, what I’ve noticed here is that while (many, but not all) things are done very quickly, they are always done attentively, and—in appropriate ways—allow for and even invite interruptions. It takes getting used to for me, because—as I said—I interpret speed as hurried.
I tend to do things slowly, but often not so attentively. In some cases speeding up might help, or it might not. I’m not here advocating any particular pace of life—I’m inclined to think that’s more an individual and cultural matter than a spiritual one. But I do want to learn to be more attentive, more present, more responsive to interruptions. And it’s a small step in that direction to simply notice those qualities in others, manifested differently than what my stereotypes presuppose.
