Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished
— Lao Tzu
Lao Tzu was a Chinese Philosopher who founded Taoism. He is the author of Tao Te Ching and lived during 600 BC-531 BC
My interpretation
In the above quote, Lao Tzu is reminding us the value of patience. He tells us to look around and observe nature. Observe how nature accomplishes the most astonishing phenomena effortlessly because it is in no hurry. He uses the analogy of nature to teach us that everything can be accomplished if only we have enough patience. The reason nature does not hurry is because there is no need to. A bud blooms into a flower at its own pace and no matter how much you tug it or pull it, it will bloom on its own. In fact, by trying to push the bud into blooming faster, we might hamper its blooming or may obstruct it altogether. So, in trying to hurry things, we may inadvertently become our own biggest obstacles.
It is in this context that I find Lao Tzu’s wisdom even more relevant today than before. In the modern world, we fashionably speak of how time is money and how it is the scarcest resource. Over the last century, advances in telecommunication and transportation technology have made it possible for us to save a lot of time. Ironically, we find ourselves busier than ever. We’re in a mad rush to accomplish more and more in less and less time. The result is that we’re always in a hurry and have no time to enjoy life. This ‘hurry’ culture is costing us our health and happiness by producing unnecessary stress.
It’s a folly then, to try and hurry things. So let us heed Lao Tzu and emulate nature; we will accomplish everything effortlessly, like nature does.
A wareness, belongingness and commitment hold the key to success. They form the ABC of life. In any field, we need ABC. Are we aware of what we are telling ourselves? This level of awareness is vital for society because this is what can prevent crime. With this level of awareness, it is impossible for a criminal to commit a crime.