Sunday morning. Am in a neighborhood park with a large pond in the middle.
A man is feeding the fish in the pond. Hungry fish are competing with each other to lap up every bit. A turtle is lurking among the fish - nowhere as fast and nimble - yet making persistent but failed attempts to catch the feed.
Then I notice that occassionally, the man throws the feed a bit far off from where the fish and turtle are. As the fish all rush in the direction of the feed, he quickly drops a handful at the turtle who gobbles it up fast.
I am impressed with the man's intent and ingenuity, and move on...
...only to stumble upon a similar scene towards the other end of the pond - another person feeding, lots of fish and two turtles. However, this person is not making any visible effort for the turtles.
Don't you care for the turtles? They are trying but barely getting a bite - I ask him.
He explains - it's a matter of time. Once the fish eat a bit, they will become less active. That's when the turtles' efforts will start paying off.
After a little pause, he adds - every being has its own pace and pattern for when and how it shines. At times all we need is to be patient and let things play out on their own.
Same intent, yet very different approaches.
Which one would you endorse?