The Tortoise and the Hare

Face it. Even though the moral of Aesop’s fable is “Slow and steady wins the race,” we all secretly relate more to the hare. It’s all very well for the tortoise to plod along steadily, reaching his goals in an unassuming manner, but where’s the fun, where is the excitement, where is the rush of wind against his face? Must one be slow, serious, and steady (read: boring) in order to succeed? Was it mere frivolity that cost Hare the race?

Tortoise is content with his methods. He puts one foot down at a time, finishing one step before starting another. Meanwhile, Hare has been running in circles, taking side trips, and gleefully expending more energy than necessary to complete the footrace. The outcome of the competition hinged on an error in judgment by Mr. Hare. He judges the tortoise to be so very, very slow that there will be plenty of time for a snooze.

Hare was faster, the obvious winner. He was no fool; he knew what was needed to win, and he did that and more. We blame the nap, the overweening confidence that made Hare think he could snooze and still not lose. We blame the extravagant expenditure of energy, that he gave more than the task required. But brazen confidence has won many a race, and extra effort needn't be detrimental. So what happened here?

Judgment happened. The hare made a judgment about the tortoise that cost him the race. He scoffed and decided he, Hare, was the better of the two and that better wins out. Tortoise, on the other hand, let Hare be Hare. He took Eckhart Tolle’s advice to live in the Now. He kept his mind on what he was doing and didn’t get swept up in the maelstrom around him. It was attitude, not method, which succeeded.

Look at the tortoise’s gentle smile. He’s a Buddha.

(Photo from woondu.com)

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Riddle Me This

What’s the answer?

That depends on the question, doesn’t it? Let’s try this one: What is good for me?

There is so much information out there, and we all want someone to say, do this and do that and all will be well. There are plenty of folk willing to do so, but really, they will be telling you what is best for them, not necessarily for you. Others can guide you, but ultimately you have to decide for yourself.

Pay attention to how you feel after you eat something. Did it energize or enervate? Did it satisfy or did it make you want more? When it comes to food, we are all tangled up in webs of family, habit, comfort, denial and reward, so it is hard to find the real answer. But there is a way to find it: Pay attention.

Notice. Be aware. When you treated yourself to that plate of crispy calamari, did it end up being a treat, or a trick? Do you sleep better at night when you’ve had your daily walk? While you were taking that meditation class and sitting quietly every day, how did that affect your mind and spirit?

Talk to yourself. You do it anyway; might as well talk about something useful instead of muttering about where the heck you left your keys. Ask yourself. You have all the answers.

Tovie's answer is to cuddle up and get his homework done before watching the Discovery Channel.