The Hare and the Tortoise 2.0: Moving from Hurry to Deliberate Practice

In our fast-paced world, we often fall prey to the speed of hurry, chasing after success and financial stability at the cost of nurturing our relationships. Like the hare in Aesop’s fable, we squander our gifts by sprinting towards a finish line that promises validation in the form of wealth or status. As a self-professed hare, I’ve experienced the pitfalls of placing urgency over planning and empathy.

Reflecting on William George Jordan’s wisdom in “The Majesty of Calmness,” it becomes apparent that being a “head” who plans and executes is far more impactful than relying on heightened energy and urgency. The latter, a form of compulsion, robs us of the richness found in purposeful and deliberate action, akin to the intricate and harmonious workings of nature.

The Hare’s Metamorphosis

A hare, born with fleet-footed grace,

In a race, first place was his embrace.

Yet overconfidence led to disgrace,

A tortoise, with wisdom, took the space.

But what if raw talent was refined,

Through discipleship, in heart enshrined?

With skills for plodding intertwined,