Tortoise and the Hare-The Moody Blues

How can it be that the tortoise wins the race, when it always looks like the hare should? In reality the hare is the "histrionic" entity and the tortoise is the "perfectionist" entity. Somewhere in-between the two is another animal, perhaps a dog that is ideal.

Dogs are lovely; they are cute and they can be slow or fast, emotional or rational. I'm not an taxonomist (one who classified species) by any means, however, I sense things and believe we fall somewhere in between the hare and the tortoise when we are most healthy – physically and emotionally (especially emotionally, because we are deeply affected physically when we are not emotionally healthy).

The Hare

Think of the hare, the easiest one in the Aesop’s Fable to identify. Rushing around, looking for all the world like the potential winner. Adorable and soft and fluffy and almost irresistible!

People love standing next to the hare – if they can EVER be found to be standing still -- listening to him/her, following their desirable lead. The politically active, the one in the know, the one TO know. Always with an opinion, always seen more right than not. Active, fit, healthy in mind and body.

In reality the hare is prideful and unaware of the world around them because they SEE themselves so out-in-front they miss the realities of life. They wear blinders to block out the reality they somehow sense is all around them and would defeat them if they would only stop long enough to realise reality. They are stressed beyond measure trying to stay out in front, too.

The Tortoise

The tortoise has always been the winner, but in some ways could the tortoise win only because of the hare’s lack of focus on where the bloody finish line is? The tortoise-perfectionist checks everything? Every footfall? Every word? Every commitment? No wonder they are perceived to be so slow.

Their progress depends more on time than on activity. And their progress depends on making “perfect” decisions (and receiving approval), when reality is full of so many decisions. Progress is more by accident than design, as when they are confused they keep their heads in most of the time trying to reason it all out before they take their next step.

Yet the tortoise wins, not by purposing to win, but by plodding along afraid to turn to the right or left or experience anything other than what seems perfect at the time.

The Canine

So let’s look at the canine, the dog, the puppy. Eager, random and quick sometimes; slow, specific and particular at other times. And always with a smile, enthusiasm and hope in the heart.

They see a goal, a finish line and consider it, not for a treat or praise, but to see if it is worthy of pursuing before one paw goes in motion. Once decided, they look around them and inspect their pathway, smelling out the best way to pursue their goal. Until they are certain, they wait. Then begin after they are happy with their choices.

Speed is not always their strategy, because they seem able to sense danger and are wary of something that seems unfamiliar and that might deter them from their goal. They may wander in big circles, seeming to waste energy, yet they use their nose and nous to scope out danger and fun along their pathway.

Another thing that commends the canine is that they are not always interested in winning, but in having fun and enjoying every minute. Even their sleep can be delightful to watch as they sometimes yip in their sleep, pursuing either hare or tortoise down rabbit holes and into hollow tree trunks to “round them up” for some fun, against both the hare’s and the tortoise’s better judgement.

Virtual or Real

In our virtual life, it seems the differences and realities of real life are also, not surprisingly, dramatised into bigger-than-life challenges sometimes, so it is easier to observe yourself and others and see the behaviours more clearly.

I mean, think about it, sometimes you just sit back and watch things unfold so smoothly and you can SEE dangers and clear pathways in a more reliable and more focused way in the virtual world -- just because it is right there before you!

I think, no, I hope I have been mostly a canine in my life, but fear I’ve tried on both tortoise and hare too often. How about you?