A young man, who moved into a new neighborhood and settled down. Everything was fine, except for his neighbor and his dog. The dog howled all the time.
The young man was patient. He thought, perhaps the dog had a problem? He assumed it would sooner or later stop howling and go about its business.
No such luck though. The dog kept at it.
Days passed.
Still nothing.
The young man finally lost his patience and decided to pay his neighbor a visit and find out what was up with the dog.
He found the man relaxing in his armchair, enjoying a book, looking unperturbed by his dog’s constant howling.
The young man asked him why his dog howled all the time.
The neighbor coolly answered that the dog was sitting on a nail.
The young man was shocked. He asked the neighbor why the dog wouldn’t get off the nail.
The neighbor replied: It isn’t hurting bad enough.
While it makes me mad that the neighbor is unconcerned about the dog sitting on the nail, this story nevertheless has an important life lesson.
Isn’t it true that each one of us have nails that hurt us?
Could be to do with work that doesn’t make us happy.
Or that painful relationship.
Or about cash issues.
Or about school.
Or dreams we’re unable to pursue for whatever reason.
Or health
…family
…friends
We each have one or more of these nails hurting us.
Big nails, small nails.
Often, instead of doing something about it, we put up with it.
We whine.
We wait until it gets too painful to take action.
We have a tendency to take action when we are desperate.
Of course, we have the choice to moan and complain or just get up and make a change.
What nails are hurting you right now?
What are you going to do?
Waste your energy complaining or finding a solution?
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Don’t find fault, find a remedy; anybody can complain – Henry Ford
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Wednesday Wisdom is a series with short bursts of non-fattening, easy-to-consume wisdom in the form of stories, quotes, anecdotes, and humor.
What a lovely story!
Thank you!
Thought provoking, Vidya! I was sitting on a couple nails too, and it took me quite a long time to realize that and decide to get up. Like the man said till it doesn’t hurt bad enough, we aren’t likely to get up!
Too easy to stick with what we are used to than stretch out of the comfort zone, Shubhangi! Hugs! Thank you for visiting!
I don’t know where my comment disappeared…
it’s best to get the damn nail out from under you and live peacefully! I just did it…got rid of one ‘nail’, and dealt with another! 🙂
What a relief that must be, Shilpa! Thank you for coming by!
Oh wow! Now thats an important lesson Vidya. So true that we have a gripe in our life and keep a hold of it instead of doing something to get rid of it!
Sometimes, people just don’t feel like THEMSELVES without a nail sticking into them. They’ll get off one nail only to find another to sit on. It’s a good story. A good analogy, barring people who are prevented from moving by force, coercion, circumstances, or depression.
You are so right, Marian! Yes, people tend to hang on to the familiar even if it hurts, rather than get up and take the risk of feeling better. So good to see you here!
Yes, it’s better to pul that nail out of ones life and move on. Fortunately for me I’m not holding on to any nail at this point of time. The ones which I was, I let them go.
A very wise post, replete with life’s precious lesson.
Thank you dear Vidya. <3
Thank you so much Natasha!
I am sitting on a nail which makes me yell every now and then when it hurts much. But I cannot take it out. I believe one cannot control everything. Sometimes, we have to endure it. Such a nice analogy.
Hugs! I hope it becomes bearable, Upasna. And then gradually gets out of the way! Take care!
This is such a thought-provoking story! Yes, we all have nails in our life, but what we do with them is what matters!! Complaining and whining about a trying situation is easy, finding solutions and overcoming the challenge is what matters!