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I am the Tortoise

Remember Aesop's famous fable of the race between the hare and the tortoise? The hare challenges the tortoise to a race. The race begins and the hare flies ahead. He is so far in the lead that he chooses to take a rest, knowing he still has time to win the race. Meanwhile, the tortoise slowly, but steadily continues forward without stopping. He crosses the finish line first and the hare is still sleeping. This is where the famous saying "slow and steady wins the race" comes from. 

I have always been a tortoise. It's in my nature to go slow. I'm always the last one at the dinner table. I love to golf. I love to go on walks. I love to garden. The things I love to do and the way that I am - is slow. I've never been a quick reader or learner. I like to take my time. I want to be able to thoroughly enjoy what I am doing. 

As a kid I remember learning to love the process of making and doing. My mom taught me how to sew and I remember loving to be able to take fabric, thread, and other elements and put them together to create something entirely new. I was so proud of whatever I made, but I remember especially loving the process. I still have that love even as an adult. I have built a determination. If there is a way for something to be done, then you can be absolutely certain that I will get it done. I believe that the love of creating and determination has developed into perseverance. As James E. Faust said, "Perseverance is demonstrated by those who keep going when the going gets tough, who don't give up even when others say, 'It can't be done.'" 

I think all of this goes along with what Jeff Sandefer was saying in his talk A Hero's Journey when he said, "Using God-given gifts, doing something that brings you great joy." I know Sandefer was talking about talents, but I believe being able to love learning, to love the creative process is a talent. Not only was I born a natural tortoise, but I am also choosing to be a tortoise. Which may set me as strange and old fashioned to a world that promotes the "hare racing style". I have felt many blessings from the tortoise life style. The number one blessing, I'm being honest with myself and am proud of the decisions I make. That is enough for me. 

I still don't know what the future holds for me. I'm sure that I will spend my life learning to master many things, but I'm ok with that. I am developing perseverance, I have determination, and I already love the process of creating. So, I'm ready to learn to love this journey of mastery.

"Entrepreneurs become successful, one small investment at a time, in a never-ending process. Because entrepreneurial success isn't a destination it's a journey. A journey taken one determined step at a time, in a way that builds lifelong treasures." - Jeff Sandefer

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