The Right Way (1)
Turtle was thrashing about in the pond and splashing water higher and higher into the air. Grasshopper called out, “Turtle, what are you doing? You can’t swim about like that for very long; soon you’ll get tired!”
Turtle called back, “I’m not swimming. I’m trying to catch flies!”
Grasshopper laughed, calling back, “How can you catch flies splashing water high into the air? Don’t you know it isn’t done that way?”
Turtle replied, “It doesn’t matter what you think; it’s what the fly thinks that is important.”
The Lesson
Many times, we are imprisoned by our thoughts and the way we are taught to look at things (solve problems). Often the traveler who thinks outside the box- is considered a madman.
Turtle is showing grasshopper, there are many ways to solve a problem (catching flies); clearly, as in this case, some ways are better than others.
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Missed Opportunity (2)
Turtle crouched, hidden, behind his favorite rock waiting for breakfast to swim by. After a time, a tiny silver minnow came along, but Turtle exclaimed, “This fellow is too small for me to waste my time on. I’ll just be patient and wait until something bigger comes along.”
About mid-morning along came a tadpole. Turtle thought, “I like tadpoles, but I love frogs even more. I’ll wait until the tadpole grows-up. Then I’ll really enjoy myself.”
Later in the morning, Turtle was growing weak from hunger and vowed, “No matter what, I’m going to take a bite out of the next thing to swim by and have my breakfast.” About 20 minutes later along came a water bug. Turtle exclaimed, “Augh! A water bug; I hate water bugs! They’re so hard.” Before Turtle could change his mind, the bug was gone.
Turtle looked up at the sun and saw it was almost noon. Then, Turtle remembered he was on a diet and never ate lunch. So still hungry, Turtle began swimming back to his burrow.
The Lesson
-Sometimes, it is not a matter of what we do- but that we do something. Taking action often sets in motion all kinds of hidden factors- and we gain the prize.
- Also, usually procrastination makes us uneasy, nervous and fearful. To reach fulfillment, we must learn to play the different stations in our mind and know when to take action.
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A Snail’s View (3)
Two snails were having a race up a rock. The first snail said, “I’m the fastest creature who ever lived. No one has ever been faster!”
The second snail thought, as he raced up the rock, “If I can keep-up with this fellow, then, I too will be the fastest creature who ever lived.”
After a very long, long time, both snails arrived at the top of the rock at precisely the same moment.
Then both snails started down the rock to tell the whole snail world of their speedy exploits.
The Lesson
-In your own mind, you might be the fastest creature (snail) alive; until along comes an ant and shows you real speed.
-No matter your personal view of reality, there is always a larger, grander view.
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Announcing a new book- Sufism for Western Seekers: Path of the Spiritual Traveler in Everyday Life. In next few weeks, look for it on CreateSpace and Amazon; more information to follow.
Save The Date: Hear my guest appearance on Godspeed Institute Radio Show, with hosts Carol and Michael Hallunbaek, Sunday, December 11, 2011, 2-3 pm.
Topic: I will be discussing, The Path of the Spiritual Traveler in Everyday Life and my new book Sufism for Western Seekers.
Want to listen, go to: www.progressiveradionetwork.com, click on Listen Live Button, 12/11/11, 2 – 3 pm.
To contact author go to: www.stewartbitkoff.com or e-mail: goldpath@ptd.net.
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