When we slow down and give space to what is good
Reflections from 29 voices during the Week of Slowing Down
This week marked The Week of Slowing Down — a reminder that, instead of rushing, we can begin to decelerate and make more room for joy, presence, and clarity.
To explore this together, I shared a short survey, answered by 29 anonymous volunteers. I’ll share the results with you below, but first, I want to name the most important insight this exercise gave me:
The survey was intentionally framed around positive emotions, shared wishes, and the possibility of bridging gaps — not to deny what’s broken, but to avoid finding meaning or identity in polarization. What emerged was striking: beneath the noise and the constant exposure to pessimistic and divisive narratives, there is a deep reservoir of goodwill, care, and constructive intention. We largely know how toxic fear-based framing can be, yet we rarely pause to reframe our perspective and consciously look at the world through a more generative lens. I believe meaningful change is far more likely to emerge from enthusiasm, shared vision, and a sense of common direction than from agendas built on division, outrage, or despair.What is the status just before ending the year?
The survey participants were free to add their own option; they could have named stress, tension, fear, or uncertainty. None did. Instead, the additional responses expressed gratitude, self-recognition, and a positive orientation toward what lies ahead.
What I see here is resilience. Even at the end of a demanding year, the dominant feelings were appreciation, pride, hope, and enthusiasm. The spirit of entrepreneurship!
What do we wish for as we look ahead?
When asked about their wishes for the near future, most responses leaned toward connection, care, and lived experience rather than optimization or achievement.
Travel and movement appeared strongly, as did the desire to be useful to others. Fewer responses focused on acquiring new skills, while rest, health, and rhythm were present in quieter but meaningful ways.
It looks like people aren’t primarily wishing for “more,” but for deeper, fuller ways of living — moving, connecting, contributing, and tending to their own well-being.
A few participants chose to add their own words, and their responses added an important layer.
Alongside hope, movement, and generosity, there is also a clear request for support, stability, health, and shared effort — a reminder that enthusiasm flourishes best when people don’t have to carry everything alone.
“I would like to get a co-founder or a collaborator to let the magic happen!”
“I’d like more time with family and friends.”
“I’d like help for my offline work.”
“I’d like employment with health benefits.”
“I’d like to be healthier.”
What do we wish for those who think differently?
The following graph makes something clear: most of us don’t want to see others as threats. We look for common ground and connection through our shared humanity.
At a deeper level, we all want to live good lives — which raises an important question: if this is true, why does polarization feel so dominant?
Wishes, in many voices
To close the survey, participants were invited to share a wish or reflection, optionally and in their own words. What follows is a faithful synthesis of those responses. In a few cases, I shortened longer answers, clarified context in brackets, or interpreted the core of the message — without altering its intent.
“I wish to us all that we would also reach a point where, for the FIRST time in history, we’d stand together as a species, homo sapiens. And nothing else, no race, nation, religion, etc. Just humans, wanting peace and prosperity, together for all.”
“My wish is that our AI-driven advances become part of how we tell a story and how we help people accomplish meaningful things. And no longer the only thing we talk about.”
“Growth never comes easy, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be enjoyable. May the next year be challenging, memorable, and full of growth for everyone.”
“Have loving thoughts, say loving things, do loving deeds. Simply try that as a lifelong practice.”
“…Go outside... tend to a garden (that was my wish). Work on something that lights you up. Travel. Eat good food. Drink lots of (pure) water. Help somebody build THEIR dreams. My wish is for everybody to love each other…”
“Truth is relative; it is never single-faced but inherently multidimensional. Enjoy life, with your loved ones.”
“I’d like for humans to adopt a wider lens on our lives, and acknowledge the interconnected reality of life, and in that way see how we need to take care of everything, since everything fits into one big system.”
“The hope is that those who shape society — both spiritual and political leaders — come together to honestly reflect on the needs of our time and work jointly to heal a world that is clearly struggling. Instead of acting alone or from power, they would listen, deliberate with care, and respond with compassion. True guidance, the text suggests, does not come from authority or speed, but from thoughtful consultation — a shared process of understanding that helps people see more clearly and act more wisely.” - Interpreted from a quote shared and attributed to Bahá’u’lláh
“I wish for more people to have a chance to see places they haven’t seen yet.”
“More people in the world need to be told they’re highly capable of contributing [throughout the year].”
“I want to be more loyal to myself.”
“We need each other and feel a real passion to share in our similarities over our differences.”
For me, this is enough evidence that there is love in our hearts. And that feels worth celebrating.
Love,
Jose
Thank you Jose!
Slow down to get there faster