|
The classic tale of the tortoise and the hare reminds us that different
people take life at different speeds and that one way is not necessarily
superior to another. In fact, in the story it is the slower animal that ends
up arriving at the destination first. In the same way, some of us seem to
move very quickly through the issues and obstacles we all face in our lives.
Others need long periods of time to process their feelings and move into new
states of awareness. For those of us who perceive ourselves as moving
quickly, it can be painful and exasperating to deal with someone else’s
slower pace. Yet, just like the tortoise and the hare, we all arrive at the
same destination together, eventually.
People who take their time with things are probably in the minority in most
of the world today. We live in a time when speed and productivity are valued
above almost anything else. Therefore, people who flow at a slower pace are
out of sync with the world and are often pestered and prodded to go faster
and do more. This can be not only frustrating but also counterproductive
because the stress of being pushed to move faster than one is able to move
actually slows progress. On the other hand, if a person’s style is honored
and supported, they will find their way in their own time and, just like the
tortoise, they might just beat the speedier, more easily distracted person to
the finish line.
It’s important to remember that we are not actually in a race to get
somewhere ahead of someone else, and it is difficult to judge by appearances
whether one person has made more progress than another. Whether you count
yourself among the fast movers or as one of the slower folks, we can all
benefit from respecting the pace that those around us choose for themselves.
This way, we can keep our eyes on our own journey, knowing that we will all
end up together in the end.
|
No comments:
Post a Comment