If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away.

Falling out of step with the people around you is usually treated as a fault to correct. Sometimes it is simply the result of hearing something they do not, and the honest response is to keep your own time rather than force yourself back into theirs. The music may be faint and it may be far off. That does not make it imaginary.

If you are out of pace right now, try describing what you are actually walking toward, in plain words, to yourself first. Then let your next decision follow that description rather than the pace of the people beside you.