Are you STILL laying on the nail?

howler-350w
It’s hard to know where to begin.
Then again, it usually is – and that’s
the very reason I’m stopped so
many times from writing you.

So much to say – and so much in the way…
If it weren’t for that nail, tonight would be just another
missed opportunity to talk with you.
Ah, yes – the Nail…

You see, there was an old hound dog at
the neighbor’s house, and one day a friend
came by who hadn’t seen him for quite some time.
While they talked about the good ole days,
the hound dog on the porch would raise his head
howl a few times, then put his head back down.
At first it didn’t seem too unusual, but after a few
more times of howling, the friend finally asked
what the heck was wrong with the dog.
Turns out the old hound was laying on a nail – and it hurt !
So… why didn’t the dog get up off the nail & move, asked the friend ?
Well – the nail didn’t hurt THAT bad…

You know, I’ve been taking a look at many things in my Life,
and it sure seems like I have a lot of complaints.
Oh, you’ll never hear about most of them
- I tend to keep most of my gripes to myself.
Guess you could say I’m laying on a lot of “nails”.
And yet… I don’t get up & move.
Crazy. CRAZY !
Is it that I’m so used to being uncomfortable,
that now it’s easier to just put up with it
than do what it takes to deal with it ?
Of course, I’m reminded daily of this
as I observe other people,
and yes – sometimes even you.
Looking at it from the outside, it’s almost funny;
we both “talk” about these nails as if that will help.
Which reminds me – ever notice that if it weren’t for
such talks some people wouldn’t have much to talk about?
It’s as if on some level there is a reward for telling others
about the “nails” in our lives and how much they hurt us.
Try this little experiment.
Find someone who is constantly
complaining about something.
Help them “fix” it and notice how quickly
they find a new “thing” to complain about.

Ah, but that’s not the direction I want to go…
Actually, the direction I want to go is the bed.
I’m running on about an hour and a half of sleep
from last night & I’m fading fast tonight!
Of course, I could do the easier thing –
the more comfortable thing,
which would be to put this off and go to sleep.
So what if it’s been bugging me several weeks ?
What’s another night ?
Why not just lay on it a while longer. It’s just a nail…
“Howllllllllllll…”

So what you must know is that I just deleted a paragraph
of really great examples of “nails” that I apparently
like to lay on more than I am willing to move off of.
I just figured some of you have some really great examples yourself.
Matter-of-fact, a few of you have been my all too often reminders !
Yes, allow me to turn the mirror of examination around
for you to see…  you.
Why haven’t you pursued that new job ?
You keep saying you’re tired of how you’re treated at work…
Why do you stay with that jerk – he treats you like garbage !
Didn’t I hear you say that you were offered a scholarship
- and instead you still want to stock shelves at night… why ?

Maybe what you really need is a longer nail.
That’s not what I want – and that’s not what I want for you.

But come on… get off the nail !

You have no idea how much it’s really hurting you.