8. Renewal

“I cannot sustain this,” said the Stag.

“Push through,” said the Rat.

“What would make it sustainable?” said the Wren.

“Rest. But I can’t.”

“Why not?” said the Wren.

“There’s too much to do. They need me.”

“They need you like this?” said the Wren.

“They need me all the time.”

“Then rest when it’s over,” said the Rat. “Not now.”

“When is it over?” said the Wren.

“It’s never over.”

“So when do you rest?” said the Wren.

“I don’t.”

“What happens to something that never rests?” said the Wren.

“It breaks.”

“He won’t break,” said the Rat. “He’s built for this.”

“Are you?” said the Wren.

“I used to think so.”

“What changed?” said the Wren.

“I stopped recovering. Rest doesn’t rest me anymore.”

“Why not?” said the Wren.

“Because I’m still running even when I stop.”

“What are you running from?” said the Wren.

“The thought that if I stop, I’ll see how tired I really am.”

“And what would happen then?” said the Wren.

“I might not start again.”

“Is that what you’re afraid of?” said the Wren.

“Yes.”

“What would you do differently if you weren’t afraid?” said the Wren.

Silence.

“I would stop,” said the Stag. “And trust that I’ll start again.”

The River renewed itself.

If you recognised something in this dialogue, you're not alone.

For leaders Some men travel to Prague to walk by the Vltava River for a day. No agenda. No framework. Just space to hear which voice is speaking. [Walk With Me →]

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