Fitness That Fits Your Life

Skunks, Elephants and Centipedes…Oh My!

by Daryl Raye on Oct.22, 2009, under Healthy Living, Other, Success

You may be dealing with health issues, bad habits, financial issues or a host of life’s difficult issues. You may have a host of issues attacking you. Today I offer a way to regain control and start down the path to recovery. It may be starting a new health program, breaking a tough habit, or starting a new project but you need to start.

In “The Wizard of Oz” Dorothy, a young lady from Kansas, dreams of a new life, but holds on to the comfort of her present life, that is until a tornado picks up her house and thrusts her into the Land of Oz.  We were just minding our own business and all of the sudden that tornado picks us up and hurls us into turmoil. We may think we are on the right track, only to discover we are on the wrong train. The world suddenly changes and we find ourselves in a Technicolor world of self doubt and fear. Each of us faces our yellow brick road, and to make the journey we need to deal with the skunks, elephants and centipedes…Oh My!

A smelly thing happened in Maryland.  Edith a mother of eight was coming home from the neighbor’s house one Saturday afternoon. Things seemed too quiet as she walked across her front yard. Curious, she peered through the screen door and saw five of her youngest children huddled together, concentrating on something. As she crept closer to them, trying to discover the center of their attention, she could not believe her eyes. Smack dab in the middle of the circle were five baby skunks. Edith screamed at the top of her voice, “Quick, children…run!” Each kid grabbed a skunk and ran.

We often hear the warnings but cannot identify the issue. We refuse to let go of the skunks in our lives and never make that journey to recovery.

While some people have identified those skunks, they often feel powerless to let go. I’m sure we all have been to the circus.  Have you ever noticed how they keep the elephants from running away? They attach this huge powerful elephant to a small chain and drive this tiny stake in the ground to hold them.  I’ve often wondered why the elephant did not just pull the stake up and escape.  The reason is psychological conditioning. While still young and powerless, an elephant is tied by what seems like a heavy chain to this immovable steel stake.  The animal discovers that no matter how hard he pulls; the chain and stake won’t budge.  As the elephant grows up they continue to believe they are powerless against the stake.  Many people never let go of their skunks because of their belief in that invisible stake.

While we may have identified the skunks and broken our invisible chain there may still be something holding us back. There was once a group of animals and insects that decided to organize a football game.  As chance would have it (and because it makes my point) the big animals were on one side and the smaller animals and insects were on the other side.  The smaller animals and insects got off to a bad start.  By half time the score was 119-0 with the smaller animals and insects unable to produce any yards or make a single tackle. As the second half started the lion received the kickoff and was tackled on the 37-yard line.  On first down the bear went up the middle and was tackled for no gain.  On the next play the cheetah was tackled behind the line for a two-yard loss.  The cheetah looked around for who had tackled him and saw the centipede smiling.  “Did you tackle me? This is the first time I’ve been tackled all day.” “I sure did,” said the centipede. “I also tackled the bear and the lion.”  One of the centipede’s team members asked, “Where were you the first half?”  The centipede responded, “I was tying my shoes.” How many times have we not made a change because we were waiting for all the right conditions?  We spend considerable energy preparing to take action but by the time all our shoes are tied…it’s too late.

Today you may be facing your own yellow brick road, but you have an opportunity. Life has taken you out of your comfort zone, but making the journey may be the better life you’ve been dreaming of. You need to identify the skunks in your life, break those invisible chains, get your shoes tied and follow the yellow brick road.


7 Comments for this entry

  • Phil Kovach
    October 23rd, 2009 on 8:57 AM

    Very good, Daryl, thanks!

  • forex robot
    December 17th, 2009 on 11:05 AM

    Keep posting stuff like this i really like it.

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    February 10th, 2010 on 6:24 AM

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  • Refugio Carby
    February 22nd, 2010 on 8:04 AM

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    March 5th, 2010 on 12:04 PM

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    March 6th, 2010 on 6:29 PM

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