![\"Tortoise](\"http:\/\/crescendo.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/Tortoise-and-hare-300x180.jpg\")
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During my music teacher years, one of the musicals my students performed was called \u201cBebop with Aesop.\u201d We sang about and enacted many of Aesop\u2019s fables, but the story most people recognized was about the tortoise and the hare. The cocky hare challenges the tortoise to a race, but after a spurt of energy, falls asleep. In the end the constant plodding of the tortoise helps it cross the finish line first. Sound familiar?<\/p>\n
The pace of our world keeps increasing. We seem to be forced into the harried hare role, racing against the clock and our competitors. We scramble and rush through our days, barely taking time to breathe, let alone notice or enjoy our surroundings. We are burdened with the pressure to do great things and advance our materialistic culture.<\/p>\n
Instant gratification is our society\u2019s selling point. We want high- speed internet. Fast food. Instant mashed potatoes. \u00a0Why spend days reading a book when we can watch the movie version in just over an hour? Drive? I would much rather fly. We get it, use it, and throw it away. It\u2019s no wonder we have a hard time developing patience.<\/p>\n
In Aesop\u2019s story, the tortoise is the one who wins the race. He wasn\u2019t fast or flashy. He just had patience. With patience and persistence you can achieve almost anything.<\/p>\n
Being a hare for so long has worn me out. I want to try to experience life as a tortoise.<\/p>\n
I will still have to meet the demands of life. I can\u2019t ditch my job or toss out my responsibilities as a mom or wife. I still have goals to reach and dreams to fulfill. My phase of life will keep me constantly moving, but I want to go at a more natural pace. I want to be patient with myself and others, enjoying the journey.<\/p>\n
Forgive me if I occasionally tell you \u201cno\u201d. I can\u2019t do it all. Feel free to tell me \u201cno\u201d when needed in return. Be patient with me if I don\u2019t complete a non-urgent request the very same day. I will be patient with your time table as well. Everything doesn\u2019t have to be done instantly. If I write a little each day, that book will be completed. If I practice a bit as often as I can, that skill will be learned.<\/p>\n
What good are we if we push so hard, we can\u2019t finish the race? I\u2019m giving myself permission to breathe and enjoy. Society can race by if it must, but as for me, there are times when I need to be the tortoise. You are welcome to join me on the (slightly slower) journey.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
During my music teacher years, one of the musicals my students performed was called \u201cBebop with Aesop.\u201d We sang about and enacted many of Aesop\u2019s fables, but the story most people recognized was about the tortoise and the hare. The … Continue reading