Meaningful Connections

"Fast is busy, controlling, aggressive, hurried, analytical, stressed, superficial, impatient, active, quantity over quality. Slow is the opposite: calm, careful, receptive, still, intuitive, unhurried, patient, reflective, quality-over-quantity. [Slow] is about making real and meaningful connections -- with people, culture, work, food, everything."

~Carl Honore, "In Praise of Slowness: Challenging the Cult of Speed"

I lean towards fast. Towards hurry and impatience. But I long to be calm and careful. And I especially desire to make real and meaningful connections. Some old friends recently reached out to see if we would be available for lunch as they drove through Arkansas. Lori and KJ are the epitome of patient and reflective, unhurried, with a focus on relationships. They gently guided us to work in the Solomon Islands and changed the course of our lives. Spending time with them always leave me feeling refreshed and encouraged.

The first orchestra concert of the year, "Bach to School", gave me an opportunity to renew relationships with students and their families. I miss seeing these guys every day. It's so fun to watch them grow as musicians and as people.

I haven't made yeast bread in a long time, even though it used to be a regular part of my week. There is something about the pace of kneading and waiting for the dough to rise, something about having extra to share and taking the time to discern who needs the home baked goodies. Somehow the slow baking of several pans of cinnamon rolls is becoming one of the ways I make real and meaningful connections.