About a year ago, thanks to Elizabeth, I discovered an artist named Emily Jeffords. She is a delight. Her work is beautiful, and her overall presence on social media is calming and authentic, in an endearing way. I found her instantly likable, and I respect the way she has built her business both as an artist and an entrepreneur.
Emily frequently shares the phrase, “progress is quiet and slow,” and lately this idea is bringing me so much peach and reassurance. I cuddle up in this phrase when I am feeling uncertain, and it calms me.
The idea of progress being quiet and slow is simple to understand. I remember when my children were small. I would see them everyday, and they would not look much different from one day to the next. But then I would look at a photo of them taken only a month earlier, and I would realize how much they had changed.
Emily reminds her audience that anything worth building and having comes through small practices, repeated over time, without much to show for in the moment. Repetition builds habits, habits become lifestyles, and lifestyles breed change and growth.
Emily also reminds her audience that while viral, flash-in-the-pan success is sexy and enticing, it is not, in fact, what most people truly want. Overnight success is not sustainable, nor does it support a sense of flourishing or thriving. Slow, quiet progress grows the kind of change that lasts and is life-giving.
Progress is quiet and slow. The phrase is bringing me comfort on a daily basis.
When my dreams seem to still be out of reach. Progress is quiet and slow.
When my goals elude me. Progress is quiet and slow.
When my work feels monotonous. Progress is quiet and slow.
When my routine feels redundant. Progress is quiet and slow.
When I wonder if change will ever come. Progress is quiet and slow.
When I look around and only see reminders of what I don’t have yet, where I have not yet arrived, the places I feel called to yet can’t step into, it is in those moments that I close my eyes and say, “Keep moving forward. Progress is quiet and slow.”
Where do you feel like things are slow-going in your journey?
What does this phrase bring to mind for you?
How have you seen evidence of progress being quiet and slow?
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