Recently I was driving carefully but cautiously along a unfamiliar country road.

I must add that I was driving at a reasonable speed.

I suddenly became aware through my rear-view mirror of a car coming up behind me at a very sharp speed.

I was a little startled and had to check that I was driving within my lane.

My automatic impulse was to breathe in whilst pulling myself in and then slowing even more to make room for this speeding car. I braced myself as it went past.

I signed with relief as my feeling of anxiety dissipated. I caught myself chuckling to myself as I reminded myself that I am a good driver, and the anticipatory feeling of danger had passed.

As I gathered myself, I wondered what would make me go at such a speed.

My thoughts continued to wonder on what would be of such urgency for this driver to be going at such a daredevil speed.

I chuckled again as I meet the car a few miles along as he was slowed by some road works.

It appeared as if we were going to be arriving at our destinations around the same time.

This brought back to my memory the fable of the hare and tortoise.

The hare was very boastful of his speed and would make fun of the tortoise for his slowness.

The tortoise challenged him to a race.

The hare being very confident, quickly raced ahead whilst the tortoise moved slowly but steadily.

Being so overconfident, the hare stopped and took a nap believing that he had plenty of time.

The tortoise on the other hand remain focus, consistent and moved steadily along, past the sleeping hare and finished the race first.

Sometimes we can be caught off guard by the actions of others. We can sometimes be left feeling outstretched or outsmarted.

However, this fable of the hare and the tortoise reminded me that with humility, perseverance and determination we can be successful even when we are not naturally the best in a particular area.

It got me pondering on what I need to keep doing to remain focus, mindful and careful and persistent whilst working to my strength and gifting.

What about you? What would help you to be focus, mindful and persistent?

Counselling can be a valuable tool as you explore your thoughts, feelings and behaviour leading to greater self-awareness and understanding.