i want to be the tortoise

...and not the hare.

my husband and i had a discussion this morning about how when we strive for or want something, in our excitement we take off full throttle and can lose perspective. we become so focused on that one thing, we are willing to do anything to achieve it. and soon, some important priorities in our lives begin to give way...relationships, responsibilities, spirituality...
and the inevitable happens. we burn out. and all the excitement, hard work, progress, and dreaming turns to dust.

i am this sort of person in so many aspects of my life. take food for example. i discover a food or drink i love, and its all i have for a period of time. i want nothing else and i abandon my old favorites. after while, i start to not only grow tired of it, but get sick of it altogether. i know this pattern in myself when it comes to eating, yet, its a lesson i never really learn.

anyhow, our discussion led us to examine our goals and dreams in life. for a while now, ive had this yearning to pursue a photography career. for pramin, its his art. we reminded each other of the balance and attitude we need to keep in midst of chasing after these dreams ~ not to neglect our time with the Lord. not to neglect each other. not to neglect the needs of our family. not to neglect our friendships. not to neglect our role in the church. and of course, our health. all this and having the humility of a servant. its common sense in words. but when in the heat of a project or deadline, i know i sometimes sacrifice some of those things for the sake of getting it done.
...i need to get better at this.

in the classic tale of the tortoise and the hare, the hare was overconfident that he would surely win because he was the faster one, naturally. he procrastinated. was lazy, boastful, haughty. these were the same qualities that led to his demise. the tortoise, however, took things in a slow but consistent pace, he never stopped or boasted.
im being overly dramatic here, of course. but in following my dreams, i know that it would be better for me in the long run if i kept a balanced life, and take things at a slower pace rather than to try to win the race all in one shot. as for the temperament adjustments, well, i can humbly say thats all coming along too.
cant take credit for it though. i have a few powerful forces working for me.