A slow pace can be radical

I attended this talk by poet-artist Layli Long Soldier. Layli is Lakota, and she embodies a culture of listening, paying close attention, collaboration, and love. Sitting in the very back of the Walker auditorium, I could feel how physically, mentally, and emotionally present she was for all of us. Her energy and tone are slow, patient. In a room with her, the grind ceased to exist. I want to be more like her. She tells her students to set aside enough time for failure: 80%. I don’t call that time “failure” but I get what Layli means and I love that permission.