The Parable of the Frog

explained ….for Shane

…from Geoff

Did you know?

You probably already knew that if you drop a frog into a pot of boiling water that it will jump out as quickly as it can.

And you might even be able to guess that if you put that same frog into a pot of room-temperature water it will sit there happy and content as can be.

But do you know what will happen if you take that frog, sitting comfortably in that room-temperature pot of water, and place it on a heating surface that is turned off, and then gradually turn up the heat?

At first the frog will do nothing.

Then as the water begins to get warm, the frog will begin to appear sleepy.

Finally as the water begins to boil, the frog will be too groggy to escape and although there is nothing restraining him, he will sit there and boil.

Why does this happen?

The frog’s internal apparatus for sensing threats to survival is geared to sudden changes in his environment, not to slow, gradual changes.

and this means what?

Being focused on only that which occurs quickly can lead to a mal-adaptation to gradually building threats to survival, functionality, and perhaps even ultimately to joy (your word).

To avoid the fate of the frog, we need to learn how to see the slow, gradual processes taking place. By slowing our frenetic pace and paying attention to the subtle as well as the dramatic, we will be able to increase our awareness of those processes and behaviors which pose threats to developing healthy dialogs and relationships both within ourselves and with others.

so why mention it?

Lots of reasons actually. None of them seem really justified to be honest. I mean, like, who am “I” to tell this to you?

I was just thinking about your words about how so many people have disappointed you. And why laziness is a theme you have expressed distaste for. Each of us has walls, and I find that from what I’ve seen, the walls you’ve built both adorn and repel.

…reminds me of Edwin Markham’s poem Outwitted… “he drew a circle…” (You probably know it. If not, this will help.)