A mighty oak and a thin reed argued about their strengths. In a fierce wind, the reed leaned with each gust and survived, while the oak stood unmoving and was uprooted.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ An Aesop fable
This poor old fable has been translated, interpreted (and misinterpreted), and altered for centuries. We could change the "facts" a little bit, pummel these two with days of torrential rain mixed with some hail, then discuss how the poor reed was driven into the ground, while the oak remained upright and stout. A more up-to-date and relatable version might be a song written a few years ago by Don Schlitz (no, really, that's his name), entitled The Gambler. Made a little money for Kenny Rogers too. The simple lesson was "...know when to hold 'em and when to fold 'em...'cause every hand's a winner and every hand's a loser...."
No single trait is completely strong or completely weak. Being flexible and willing to accommodate change may make us more understanding and compassionate, but if we bend too far and too often, we'll forget who we really are. Being tall and strong as we stand on principle is admirable and often necessary, unless it deprives us of our ability to listen and be responsive. All of us harbor both of these sets of traits; the trick lies in knowing how and when to use each of them. Or as Don and Kenny told us, "...knowin' what to throw away and knowin' what to keep." Yep, and when.
Blessings all on this great Saturday.
NT
Psalm 73:26
Dedicated to the memory of Allen Jones.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ An Aesop fable
This poor old fable has been translated, interpreted (and misinterpreted), and altered for centuries. We could change the "facts" a little bit, pummel these two with days of torrential rain mixed with some hail, then discuss how the poor reed was driven into the ground, while the oak remained upright and stout. A more up-to-date and relatable version might be a song written a few years ago by Don Schlitz (no, really, that's his name), entitled The Gambler. Made a little money for Kenny Rogers too. The simple lesson was "...know when to hold 'em and when to fold 'em...'cause every hand's a winner and every hand's a loser...."
No single trait is completely strong or completely weak. Being flexible and willing to accommodate change may make us more understanding and compassionate, but if we bend too far and too often, we'll forget who we really are. Being tall and strong as we stand on principle is admirable and often necessary, unless it deprives us of our ability to listen and be responsive. All of us harbor both of these sets of traits; the trick lies in knowing how and when to use each of them. Or as Don and Kenny told us, "...knowin' what to throw away and knowin' what to keep." Yep, and when.
Blessings all on this great Saturday.
NT
Psalm 73:26
Dedicated to the memory of Allen Jones.
