In a world rushing forward, where every second is considered gold, and speed is often confused with success, I have come to reflect on a fundamental human ability that seems to have slipped from our grasp – the ability to pause and truly be in the present moment.
As the Chief Communication Officer in this constant rat race, I am all too familiar with the mantras of "fast" and "efficient." Our days are filled with chasing from meeting to meeting, responding to a constant flow of emails, and always on the lookout for the next deadline. But in this chase, I have realized that something important is being lost – the ability to just be, to reflect, and appreciate the moment.
A moment that changed my perspective on this was an afternoon some years ago when I was stuck in traffic. There, in my stationary car, I suddenly became aware of the beauty and importance of just being. I turned off the radio, left the car window open, and felt the fresh air. It was a moment of clarity, where I truly felt present and part of the world around me.
Doing things slowly has become a personal practice of mindful presence. Not cutting corners with ready-made solutions but preparing a meal from scratch, walking without a specific destination, immersing myself in a book without rushing – these moments have become my small oases of peace in an otherwise urgent world.
Reflection, often forgotten in our daily routine, has now become a central part of my life. Reflecting means taking the time to process and understand our experiences, emotions, and thoughts. I have found that it is in these moments of silence and contemplation that I often discover the most valuable insights and solutions.
In our pursuit of constant speed and efficiency, we must ask ourselves: Have we forgotten these fundamental human needs? I believe it is time to remind ourselves of the value of slowing down and to appreciate the process as much as the outcome.
My forward-thinking is not to completely abandon our fast-paced world but rather to find a balance. To create moments of stillness in our hectic everyday lives, where we can truly reflect and find what enriches our lives.
I am also convinced that this yearning for stillness and reflection will begin to be reflected in future events and experiences. I see a growing trend where the spiritual aspect takes on an increasingly significant role. Traditional conferences, often in technology-intensive environments, are now making room for more down-to-earth and spiritually enriching experiences.
I am confident that future events will integrate environments with views of forests, seas, and mountains as a complement to conventional conference rooms. In these environments, where the calm and grandeur of nature are present, space is created for participants not only to look forward but also inward. It's about creating an atmosphere where reflection and inner journeys are not only possible but encouraged.
In these contexts, I expect to see a higher degree of interaction between the environment and content, where activities like meditative walks, moments of reflection by the water, or conversations in the tranquility of the forest become a natural part of the agenda. These elements will act as a counterbalance to the constant flow of information that often characterizes these events.
We can expect future events to be more than just arenas for knowledge transfer and networking. They will become places where the soul also finds its space, where participants not only learn new things but also explore new dimensions of themselves and their relationship to the world around them.
I strongly believe that we all need this, especially in the time we are living in right now.
And in this spirit of rediscovering the slow and reflective life, I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a wonderful holiday. May your days be filled with these very ingredients: calmness, a slower pace, and plenty of time for reflection. Let us make the most of this special time of the year to not only rest the body but also nurture the soul. May your holidays be filled with quiet moments that allow space for contemplation and self-awareness.
So, as we close the doors to another busy year and open a new chapter, let us carry with us the lessons of the importance of slowing down and appreciating the small things in life. With these thoughts in our hearts, I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. May the upcoming time be a journey not only through the external world but also an exploration of the inner landscapes that give our lives its true depth and meaning.
Niclas Rahm CCO EVENTYR NINE YARDS
