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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Who's got it easy?

Is there someone in your life for whom everything seems to come easily, without excess energy, thought, or angst?  I have someone in mind, and I wonder, if I presented her with this assessment, whether she would nod happily, or look at me in surprise.  Probably the latter.  Looking in at someone from the outside does not give the whole picture.  There is often something lurking in the background, or an issue your friend glosses over or avoids talking about.  Perhaps your friend has had the great fortune to learn how to deal with (notice I did not say "overcome") her negative issues.... perhaps she is just a good faker.

Rejoice in another's good fortune and happiness - and mean it - and you will reap happiness in return.

Just remember not to judge someone else's life.  Period.

Patience

In a day, how many times do you sigh with impatience, or tap your foot or roll your eyes?  How often do your shoulders slump or your teeth grit as you attempt to deal with the incompetents in your life?  Do you sometimes feel that the world is conspiring to make you wait?

Well, quit it!  Most of the things we lose patience with are only holding us back by seconds, or maybe minutes.  Most of the people we are impatient to are simply trying to muddle their way through their own day.  So a lady parks her grocery cart in the middle of the aisle to browse the cereals . . .  Don't slam her cart to the side and huff past; instead, give her a smile, tell her not to worry about it, that you'll move her cart for her.  Or that guy swerving around everyone on the highway -- send him some good thoughts because he needs them!

Exchange a smile for a sigh, a good thought for a bad, and notice the difference in your mood when you haven't spent the day with gritted teeth.