“The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago. The second best time is ‘now’.” — Chinese Proverb
I wrote this book because I am uncomfortable with the state of our nation, its institutions, and human beings in general. It offers a thought provoking twist on Aesop’s Hare-Tortoise fable reframing it as a human race pitting our Hare-brained heads against our Tortoise-inspired hearts. Running faster and faster in our Hare-like pursuits of wealth, power, and status, I believe we are leaving no place for the slow and steady Tortoise to speak for our humanity. As a result, we might be creating a world with our intellects and technology that we can’t relate to emotionally and spiritually. Our inability to engage each other in civil and respectful conversations, the hate and violence infecting our culture, and leadership failures in organizations, might be evidence this sinister end is fast approaching.
This book is offered as a hard-hitting and at times poetic invitation to step back from your busy life, sit with me on my front porch, and question what we are doing and being in this crazy human race. It is intended to be an inspirational reminder of Mahatma Gandhi’s warning that “There is more to life than simply increasing its speed.” As we get to know each other, I will introduce you to my friend T who reminds us there is a more humane path forward that involves front porches and what I call divergent thinking. ‘Now’ is the time to listen to T and be more as human beings.
We can’t afford Hare-brained progress at the cost of our souls!
— Robert H. Lengel —