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 Life getting in the way…
If it weren’t for that nail, tonight would be just another
missed opportunity to talk with you.

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. )