mscheminske

I am not an insect

zachklein:

“A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects.”

— Robert Heinlein via Caterina.

One thing I have been learning and trying to accept about myself as I get older is that I am kind of a slow person. I think part of my slowness has to do with a lack of focus and a lot of indecision, both of which I can and should work to improve. But I’m beginning to think that a big part of my slowness is simply…me. It’s how I operate. I like to take my time. If I’m going to speak, I want to make sure my words are honest and timely. When I go for hikes, I go slow, I watch and listen. When I learn a new task, I want to really understand every single step, even when I can’t. This is just me. Perhaps I have little to offer the fast-movers — maybe you all need to stick together. But to all the slow-pokes out there: I don’t think you are insects, for what it’s worth. If you want to concentrate on one thing at a time, on three things in your life, I think that’s beautiful, too.