The Courage to Slow Down

Fire began to blaze outside on a cold October morning.

I was on my morning walk when I saw someone standing in front of a pile of cardboard boxes watching the flames begin to build.

My first thought was that this person was just trying to stay warm. There was a steady wind that pierced the eardrums.

But as I kept my gaze on this hooded figure, he started to walk away from the fire.

No more than three feet high at the moment, the fire was next to several recycle bins full of cardboard.

Those bins were next to a large tree full of leaves.

All the elements for a disaster were present.

While on the phone with 911, waiting for the fire truck to arrive, I saw many people pass by the flames, look at them, and then keep going.

Bicyclists, people in cars, and pedestrians looked at the flames as if thinking, 'Oh my lands! I hope someone takes care of that', and then kept going.

This is understandable, as most people were probably on their way to work.

I share this story to illustrate a point:

Many of us are trapped in our loops, our routines, our work, to the point where we do not have space for anything else.

I wanted to increase my knowledge about why this is the case from a scientific perspective.

What is a biker thinking when he rides his bike through flames on his way to work?

(I say this with a touch of humor, but this happened. A biker rode straight over the flaming boxes and came out the other side like a stunt double from Mad Max: Fury Road.)

Dr. Austin Perlmutter and Dr. David Perlmutter wrote a book called Brainwash that offers insights:

“The human brain is an incredible gift of seemingly endless complexity and ability. One thing that makes humans special is our brains’ prefrontal cortex, the most evolved part of the brain. It is the prefrontal cortex that is credited with higher-order brain functions such as our ability to plan for the future, express empathy, see things from the point of view of another, make thoughtful decisions, and engage in positive social behavior — basically all the things that make us human.”

“Unfortunately, much of modern life conspires to keep our brains from taking full advantage of the prefrontal cortex. Instead, we find our actions driven by impulsivity, fear, and a need for instant gratification, which are triggered by over activation of the amygdala (an emotional center of the brain).”

Fascinating, right?

Anytime I am less empathic, not able to put myself in the perspective of another person, or make thoughtful decisions, it is most likely because my frat boy amygdala has taken over.

The book goes on to share that the amygdala is most activated by negative news, constant pressure and stress, ultra-processed foods, having no space to pause, and constantly going fast. Sound familiar?

Learning this information, I could not help but think of the philanthropy system in the United States.

From the nonprofits on the ground to the foundations, and everyone in between, it feels like most of us are running things with our amygdala.

By working even harder to avoid disaster, paradoxically it is from this state that people can ignore real and threatening fires in their lives.

Dr. Austin and Dr. David went on to share that many of the stimuli in the United States that keep the amygdala in a constant state of stress are intentionally designed that way.

We know this.

If we used our prefrontal cortex more, we would actually solve the problems that seem unsolvable.

I want to use these findings to point back to something that I believe a lot of us are longing for.

Presence.

We need to slow down.

We need to reclaim, with confidence, our right to be present with each other.

Look no further than Edward Mukiibi, the founder of Slow Food in Italy as role model of this.

In March of 1986, McDonald’s tried to open a location right outside the Spanish Steps. When people saw this, they weren't having it.

Edward shares why:

"Born and nurtured under the sign of Industrialization, this century first invented the machine and then modelled its lifestyle after it. Speed became our shackles. We fell prey to the same virus: 'the fast life' that fractures our customs and assails us even in our own homes, forcing us to ingest “fast- food.”

"Homo sapiens must regain wisdom and liberate itself from the 'velocity' that is propelling it on the road to extinction. Let us defend ourselves against the universal madness of 'the fast life' with tranquil material pleasure."

It was this stand against speed, this refusal to live and work at a relentless pace, that led more than 160 countries to join the Slow Food movement.

Because they spoke up to protect their slow, present, and intentional way of life, something beyond anyone’s imagination happened.

One hundred sixty countries united.

New businesses, partnerships, and opportunities emerged from the farm to table movement to the rise of farmers markets and CSAs.

All because Edward and his team advocated to preserve slowness.

What could this mean for those connected to the philanthropy system?

We're off to a good start because a few foundations have modeled what it's like to take time to reset and restore.

Imagine everyone in the system, nonprofits, consultants, and facilitators alike, choosing presence too.

Imagine slowing down just enough to have the conversations that could bring peace and clarity to your organization.

Imagine letting go of what no longer serves you or your clients so you can make space for what you need.

There are so many possibilities waiting to be discovered if we have the courage to slow down, rediscover presence, and explore together.

—Cody