The thing we fear the most - what would others say about me?
We are programmed to give a lot of attention to what others think about us, than what we say about ourselves. In fact, we rarely dare to have an opinion about ourselves. We think in the terms of how others look at us. We believe we are smart if someone says we are smart and believe we aren't if someone says so.
Let us go back to our story. What would have all the other animals said about the tortoise?
Some must have called him a fool.
Some would have told him about the impossibility of the whole thing.
Others would have advised him to give it a good thought.
Lot of noise, all telling him not to run the race. There was no chance of him winning, anyway.
The tortoise was wise. Or a fool. Depends on the perspective we hold.
He did not heed the surrounding noises.
He quieted not only the noise of the fear and doubt within but also the noise outside.
Only when we reach this calm state, can we truly become conquerors.
What are the various noises around you telling today?
Do you heed them or choose to ignore them?
Now what if there was another animal who had actually run against the hare and had a word of advice?
Based on his own experience? That would be a word worth listening to. Because it was based on experience.
A person who had undertaken the journey you are about to take, will have something worth sharing.
No one who has actually achieved something has done so by listening to other people's opinions.
