More Haste, Less Speed!…An Interesting Paradox

The desire to do and possess things has always been with man. From the Garden of Eden to today, this desire is exhibited on a daily basis as we go about our activities and routines. It is a desire driven by our needs and wants – an innate craving for satisfaction on the physical, social and emotional fronts. To some, it is a simple yearning to get their meal for the next hour or day, to others, it is about recognition, whilst some also crave to be appreciated by others or receive the approval/endorsement of others. Varied, divergent and multidirectional best describes these aspirations.

In a bid to fulfill these desires, many have resorted to cutting corners, circumventing processes and skipping procedures. We are almost always in a haste to get to our destination, without regard to the route we take. 'The end justifies the means' has become the dictum of many. Events are preferred to processes and many don't want to go through the mill. No wonder mediocrity is commonplace in our world today.

The writer is not against doing things using the fast-paced approach, but such approach that shoves aside diligence, best practices and morality; and embraces corner cutting, indulgence and greed is a recipe for calamitous ends. The inordinate desire to get things quick without paying the price for them is driving many to their early graves.

Today, passengers in their bid to reach destinations early compel drivers to drive at abnormal speeds, often leading to accidents, causing deaths and injuries. Being in haste is always accompanied by a cost and it often is a cost you may not like to bear. However, at the time of embracing hastiness, it is difficult to think of such cost or even be aware of its existence.

Many want to get rich quick! It is not surprising therefore that such people throw reason to the gutters and embrace all sorts of Ponzi schemes that come their way. Their inordinate desire for quick riches blinds them and as well encourages them to ignore sound principles of wealth creation. The result is that they become preys to predators – predators who feed on the greed of these wanna-get-rich-quick people.

School children, especially those in SHS are in a hurry to be ushered into 'womanhood', for want of a better word. As they prepare to complete school, their focus is not usually on learning and passing exams, but rather on grooming their hair to enable them get various hair styles immediately after school. Inordinate desire!

Boys want to taste sex quickly and go to all lengths to do it. Some resort to charms, lacing drinks of girls/ladies with sexual stimulants (which is rape), etc. Unwanted pregnancies become the order of the day, many resulting into unsafe abortions with high propensities of damaged wombs. Futures are being marred every day.

Pastors are very quick and swift in elevating themselves these days. Titles such as 'Bishop General', 'Prophet Apostle Dr.', etc are thrown at their congregants and the general public. Along with these titles come the arrogation of power and authority to themselves. They become the final/only say on all matters. The fall comes sooner than later. Prof. Kwesi Yankah has done a great job on titles in his treatise “The Age of Pseudo Titles”. It presents an interesting and illuminating read – a holistic paper that talks not only of titles in the ecclesiastical space but in all facets of life.

When one goes through the mill, he/she becomes well-refined, adequately groomed and competent enough to produce sustainable levels of great output. It takes real patience to do this, and that's what many cannot endure.

Patience is key to attaining true greatness and the test of patience is one all desiring to etch their names indelibly on the arc of history must pass. You may not like the snail or tortoise approach, but sometimes, it is the best approach. We pray for wisdom to discern.

A lot of peril abounds in unchecked haste! You may want to get to that destination faster and quicker by cutting corners and ignoring best practices, but you rather end up not getting there at all or getting there with a lot of damaging bruises.

More Haste, Less Speed!

Paul Edem Kuenyefu, is a Conference Speaker, Writer, Lay Preacher and Business Strategist. He is the author of 'TO THE ZENITH', a motivational piece.

Email: pedem99 [at]gmail[dot]com