The 24th verse of the Tao Te Ching opens with the fact that when an individual tiptoes, he cannot stand; when an individual strides, he cannot walk. It is interesting to note that when an individual finds him/herself on the tip of one's toes, it is usually because that individual is trying to stand taller. The Tao instructs the human family to learn the art of acceptance and, accordingly, people are dissuaded from trying to be something other than what nature has intended for the person. Perhaps the human is predisposed to the attempt of standing taller. Perhaps "standing taller" is a symbol for an individual trying to become something bigger than they are at the moment. Is there anything wrong with this? Perhaps there is not. Certainly growth is something that each of us should make; however, each individual undergoes growth as a part of the life process. This means that there is no real need for us to tip toe, as this is not the the natural posture for the human and nature automatically provides us with our height and our ability to grow.
Additionally, the 24th verse discusses the notion that when an individual strides, the individual does not walk. Walking is the natural approach to arriving at one place or another. When a person is seen running, he or she is considered either late or in a rush to get where he or she is going. In many instances, it is only when a person walks that he or she is afforded the opportunity to see things that may have been missed if the person was late or either in a rush. Further, when an individual is seen running, that individual stands out from the rest of the group. Standing out or not being inconspicuous is not the way of the sage, as the sage understands the importance of remaining obscure. Even more, the sage understands the importance of not attempting to brag or boast, as he or she understands that the consequence of such actions lead to the opposite of endurance and/or longevity.
Peace and blessings!
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