The Tortoise and the Hare

A few weeks ago I was in an addiction support group meeting when someone identified 'not enjoying life' as one of their weaknesses. I'd never heard that before and I couldn't stop thinking about it. It’s got me on a refreshing path of discovery that involves humility, weakness, and the nature of my higher power.

In the fable, "The Tortoise and the Hare" the tortoise wins a race with the hare because he knew that the overconfident hare would get lazy after sprinting early in the race. As a recovering addict, I can learn several lessons from this fable.

I'll start with humility. The tortoise can rightly be credited with perseverance and cunning. But I suggest that these characteristics were secondary to his more important quality: humility. You see, the tortoise knew who he was. His self-image was right-sized in relation to his circumstances. He knew he was slower than the hare.

The importance of humility in recovery can't be overstated, but I often misunderstand it. It can be difficult to not see it as a weakness. What I'm learning, though, is that its strength is related to it being the opposite of pride and fear which keep me seeing myself either too highly or too lowly. Humility has me seeing past my pretenses - my poser. With it, I see myself right-sized in relation to my addiction, to those around me and to my higher power. For example, I'm powerless over my addiction and I need help. Admitting this isn't a weakness and is only a positive reflection of my character. When I’m right-sized without agenda or ulterior motives, I find refreshing hope and peace!

The tortoise's cunning came into play when he determined he could win the race by relying on the hare’s weakness - his arrogance. My weaknesses or character defects are obstacles in my recovery just as the hare’s were in his race. Pride, fear, laziness, resentment, shame, impatience and yes, not enjoying life (allowing life's annoyances to affect my overall outlook and mood) can lead me to states of mind where I begin looking for the familiar numbing or self-medication of my addiction. The ‘hares’ or forces in my life that work against me are also cunning. They rely on my weaknesses to thwart my recovery.

Finally, my perception of the nature of my higher power is of vital importance as I turn there for help to overcome my weaknesses. I hesitate and stumble when asking for or receiving help if I see that power as vengeful (watching for and punishing mistakes) or even as a kind-eyed grandpa watching and caring from his chair in the corner. I succeed when I see Him as He is: a powerful, active friend; wanting to help and to whom I am always enough.


What next?

  • Take a fresh look at humility. Does it still feel like weakness?

  • Employ the power of humility to right-size yourself and to identify your weaknesses.

  • Ask true friends for help - and find a way to include your higher power in that group.

By Ty, Writing Team