A friend once told me a story, In the jungle, a lion was howling into the darkness. A mouse walked by and asked what was wrong. The lion said, “I’ve been sitting on a nail and it’s painful.” The mouse replied, “Get up. Get up and off the nail.” The lion sat frozen with fear and said, “I can’t. It will hurt too much.”
My reflection, My friend told me this story when Jeff was in active addiction and I was paralyzed with fear and pain. I didn’t know what to do, how to move or what to tell people – including Jeff – so I did nothing. I remained stuck on the nail of addiction and cried.
Today’s Promise to consider: Life is full of problems and we feel pain about addiction, finances, relationships, careers and countless other things. Sitting on the nail of the problem and howling into the universe doesn’t help. Today I need to find the courage to lift myself off the nail. I’ll take a deep breath, pray and face my problem.
So true! I love love love this! Thanks again Libby.
And when you get up off that nail ouch ouch oooouch but then here I am — I am moving again and managing my suffering and the pain starts to throb less and less and I’m doing again and how wonderful. Despair is the nail that keeps us stuck. Its tricky one. But get up yes! Better to howl dancing free hopping up and down than being stuck.
“Paralyzed with fear and pain”. A perfect description of years battling this disease, thank you Libby for this post.
There are many times I wish I had handled situations differently. I was so afraid to rock the boat, send her off into the abyss, upset her more than she already was. So I avoided what was already a painful situation and put up with more than I should have. Did this prolong her addiction, who knows probably not but it certainly kept me in pain.
We are so ill prepared to deal with this, at least I was, and by the time I sought help so much damage was already done.
If there is anything I have learned through this it is to speak up, ask for help and let those around me know what it is I need.
Thank you for this story Libby. This reminds me of what I heard in the rooms, “move a muscle, change a thought.” Basically get unstuck by changing what you are doing.
Sometimes it hurts more initially, but it will surely continue to hurt sitting on the nail.
Hope everyone reading this is doing well, up off of our nails!
Love
Jane
I learn so much here..Jane, move a muscle change a thought, yes! And Sue for every maybe might my action have prolonged instead of helped, you just said the perfect thing –to me— turned it around to confront y pain said basically : – will not hurt myself anymore.
Like the addict, I think we who love them must learn how not self inflict wounds. Is it really all that different? We might not need a drug but we hurt ourselves get swallowed in pain and despair. Not more nail biting or nail sitting.
Thank you all for staying close. Your support and love mean the world to me….and to all of us.
I read another story that I liked: The Buddha taught, “If you are standing on one shore and want to cross over to the other shore, you have to use a boat or swim across. You cannot just pray, ‘Oh, other shore, please come over here for me to step across!” Praying without also practicing in not real prayer.
Jane, you’re right – move a muscle, change a thought, prayer happens!
Love you!!
Libby,
I love what you wrote in this week’s meditation. “today I will take a deep breath, pray, and face my problems”. It’s a great way to begin each and every day – a great mantra!!
I love you!!!
Barbara,
And I love you!!! You are a font of wisdom and inspiration. What you bring to all of us is priceless – you bring faith and hope and love.
With deep respect,
L
I love Barbara too!!!
And everyone else here! Thanks for the shares
Jane