Why Do We Fix What Is Wrong?

Written by Debra Morrison on Feb 10, 2009 10:12 am

Read More: Leadership | Personal Development

On the Home Stretch ...
Will Be in Hudson/St. Paul/Rochester this afternoon.
At least it's on the down swing with the cold and snow :-).

Now it's time for ....

The Story About The Rabbit

Imagine a meadow. Up on the hill there was a rabbit, an
owl, a duck and a fish. They decided one fine afternoon to
start a school so they could be smart. Like people are.
With the help of their parents, they decided upon a curriculum
that would totally round themselves out.

Running
Swimming
Tree climbing
Jumping
and flying

On the first day, the rabbit brushed back his ears and tore up
the hill. Sakes alive. Man that kid could run! He was the star
of the class and the other animals watched and cheered.

Especially the fish!

Then the teacher said, “Rabbit, you are a fabulous runner,
you were born to run. But to be really successful, you will
have to learn how to swim as well. Plus tree climbing!”

That made the rabbit scared. That’s because rabbits aren’t
born to swim or climb. Nonetheless, the next day ole rabbit
did some laps in the pond and boy did he look foolish.

He went home that night, complained to his folks who then
said, “Son, you may not like swimming, but in five to
ten years, when you get into the job market, you’ll be glad
you learned to swim.”

Now remember, in the running class, rabbit scored an A+.

However, when they made him go through swimming class
and then the tree climbing classes, of which he failed terribly
at both, the student counselor insisted that he take a psychological
test to see if rabbit had ADHA disorder and needed
medication. Maybe Ritalin would make him swim better.

What a shame. Because at first Rabbit so loved school! He got
all dressed up, was anxious to excel and then all of a sudden
all of the adults were trying to get him to learn stuff he simply
wasn’t born to do; or even could do if he tried!

Ugh! Take flying lessons for example: The owl scored an A+
and the rabbit, once again, was made to look dumb. Plus he
busted his little twig like rabbit leg. Why?

Because Rabbits aren’t born to fly! That’s only for birds!

Little rabbit moaned to the instructor, “I want to go home. I
can’t stand flying class and there is no way I’ll ever be a good
flyer or tree climber. Plus I hate to get wet when I swim!”

The instructor scolded the rabbit and said, “don’t be a quitter.”
Then he bullied the Rabbit more with, “you’ll never
amount to much unless you learn to swim!” Little ole rabbit
tried to tell his parents he just wanted to be free but his parents
barked, “you need the diploma. You’ve got to finish!”

Next, when Rabbit went back to school the principle
scolded him and said, “I hear you are thinking of quitting.
No way. What we need to do is erase running from the curriculum.
You already know how to run and we need to add
double sessions and get you a tutor for swimming!”

Well——that about made little Rabbit throw up! As he
walked out of the principals office he saw the little wise owl
sitting there. He must have gotten “what for” as well. Poor
little owl. He got in trouble too. He couldn’t run well and
the teachers said owl was probably a “slow” learner.

Then the wise little owl said, “ Brother Rabbit, life doesn’t
have to be about doing things you hate or even stuff you
weren’t born to do. You can be free!”

Now the rabbit was so inspired that he said, “I think I will
be free. I will start my own little school and we’ll start a
business where the squirrels will only be asked to climb,
fish certainly won’t be asked to fly and little rabbits like me
can earn money only doing what we do best—–running!”

As the wise ole owl watched and listened to the happy little
rabbit skip down the hallway, he heard the rabbit mutter to
himself, “oh what I great place that will be, and I will be
free and only asked to be me!”

The lesson is clear: In life and in business, they usually ask
you to fix what is wrong about yourself and to work harder
doing what you simply weren’t born to do. And we wonder
why so many of us grown ups grow up to be so depressed!

So Why Not You?

Debra

http://DebraMorrison.wstblog.com