[Nfbk] "Like a Turtle on a Fence"

[Joey Couch]

"Like a Turtle on a Fence"

The late Alex Haley, author of the novel Roots, kept on the wall of
his office a picture of a turtle sitting on a fence post. To him, the
image held a powerful lesson. He explained, “If you see a turtle on
top of a fence post, you know he had some help.” Haley continued, “Any
time I start thinking, ‘Wow, isn’t this marvelous what I’ve done!’ I
look at that picture and remember how this turtle—me—got up on that
post.”1

What Haley understood is that no one gets anywhere without a
boost—without the help, attention, love, and encouragement of others.
In a word, he understood humility, the forgotten virtue of our time.

We live in an increasingly aggressive, self-centered society where so
many are rushing to make a statement about their successes, to be
noticed and acknowledged as significant and indispensable. Some
justify such behavior under the false pretense of healthy self-esteem
and high self-confidence. In contrast, humility is cast as weakness.

Meanwhile, truly great men and women all around us quietly demonstrate
that quite the opposite is true. They seem to draw strength not from
popularity and praise but from humility and service. They allow others
to be in the limelight. Their interest in others is sincere. They ask
questions and then seriously consider the answers. They share credit
for successes, standing with others, not above them. They give
willingly, even anonymously, and their humility puts others at ease.
Isn’t this the kind of person we seek as a friend—a person with a
sense of self but not selfishness?

Imagine a community—or better yet, a world—where selflessness and
humility are valued. Humility is strength. It is quiet but not
speechless. It is certain but not superior. It respects the dignity,
talents, and opinions of others. And it recognizes that, in a sense,
we are all turtles sitting on a fence.


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1. In Stephen R. Covey, Everyday Greatness (2006), 162.


-- 
Joey Couch
phone 606-216-8033.
email ki4vjd at gmail.com
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