As Fast as the Slowest

I love to drive. Being on the road with a destination set—when I’m not running late—is always somewhat entertaining. Over the years I’ve learned to enjoy the ride as much as possible and to plan for it when time allows. I might make a phone call, record an audio message for someone dear, or play music on the fly—depending on my mood, where I’m going, or who’s sharing the ride with me. Other times I hold a Rosary and pray, listen to a podcast, or remain completely silent.

As I drive, my mind is rarely still. I let my thoughts drift and wander freely. Sometimes I’m lucky and have one of those aha moments; other times I simply sing my soul out. And no—you probably don’t want to hear my playlist.

One thing I’ve realized is that, within the speed limit, we can only go as fast as the slowest. This often makes me impatient, disrupts my flow, and occasionally ruins my mood. That said, on a couple of occasions it has also saved me from getting pulled over.

Going as fast as the slowest isn’t just a driving principle; it applies to everyday life and relationships as well. I remember having to walk as slowly as my parents and as “fast” as my small children. There wasn’t much else I could do. The alternative would have been carrying them or putting them in a stroller—but if I wanted my children to practice and eventually master walking, the only real solution was to slow down and walk at their pace.

The same principle applies to our thoughts, which—at least in my case—move much faster than my ability to type. It applies to making breakfast and waiting for a kettle that takes five minutes to boil. It applies to relationships, too: when one person is ready to become more serious and the other isn’t. Of course, you can’t hurry love.

There’s always something—or someone—that sets the pace. Sometimes that pace is determined by others; sometimes by our own skills. Some constraints depend on us, and some don’t.

For the ones that do depend on us—like how fast we read, walk, or complete a task—we can improve with practice and by finding new ways to be more productive. We can turn them into games or challenges and celebrate small wins along the way.

But for the things that don’t depend on us—like driving as fast as the slowest—I’ve found it helpful to work on my mindset. A growth mindset. Finding purpose helps us bear the constraints we face. Because inevitably, there will always be something that slows us down.

And maybe slowing down isn’t a setback at all, but an invitation—to listen more closely, trust the timing, and embrace the grace hidden in the pace. Reframe our thoughts, reroute our behavior, and discover that maybe the ride itself was the point all along.