I want to share an Aesop’s Fable with you today. It’s the story of The North Wind and the Sun. There’s several different versions of this tale that have been told through the ages, but they all come back to the same basic point. I’m actually going to start by sharing the moral of the story first, which again is said slightly differently depending on the version. The moral being the superiority of persuasion over force. Or in other words a gentle smile can achieve what brutal force can’t. More by gentleness than strength would be another interpretation. Or gentleness and kind persuasion win where force and bluster fail.
Here is the story from Aesop For Children:
The North Wind and the Sun had a quarrel about which of them was the stronger. While they were disputing with much heat and bluster, a Traveler passed along the road wrapped in a cloak. “Let us agree,” said the Sun, “that he is the stronger who can strip that Traveler of his cloak.” “Very well,” growled the North Wind, and at once sent a cold, howling blast against the Traveler.
With the first gust of wind the ends of the cloak whipped about the Traveler’s body. But he immediately wrapped it closely around him, and the harder the Wind blew, the tighter he held it to him. The North Wind tore angrily at the cloak, but all his efforts were in vain.
Then the Sun began to shine. At first his beams were gentle, and in the pleasant warmth after the bitter cold of the North Wind, the Traveler unfastened his cloak and let it hang loosely from his shoulders. The Sun’s rays grew warmer and warmer. The man took off his cap and mopped his brow. At last, he became so heated that he pulled off his cloak, and, to escape the blazing sunshine, threw himself down in the welcome shade of a tree by the roadside.
It’s easy to see the moral of this story. About kindness over force as it relates to our relation to other people or situations. But here’s something I want you to consider as your encouragement for today. How often are we the wind blowing on OURSELVES? Being too hard on ourselves or overly critical. Trying to use brute force to be, or do, or become what we think we should be, or do or become. And then beating ourselves up when we don’t “win”.
Today I want you to think about being more gentle and kind with and to yourself. To think about giving yourself grace in your journey through life. Understanding that sometimes you need to give yourself time and space, especially when it comes to implementing change in your life. Today be the sun that is shining on yourself.