SINKING IN QUICKSAND AND LIKING IT. Pt. 2

(See Pt. 1)

I often share the following story with my counseling clients to help them understand the ‘stuckness’ with which some people seem all too content to live.

Several men went out on a game hunting safari in Africa.

As they were walking down the trail, suddenly the lead man stepped into quicksand. Of course, the others were absolutely horrified, and began shouting and “running around in circles.”

As Joe sank up to his knees, and then his thighs, Bill threw him a rope. Strangely enough, Joe smiled broadly, and threw the rope back to Bill. Of course, his friends were totally mystified by his behavior, but Bill threw it to Joe again, and exclaimed,

“Joe, grab hold. I’ll pull you in!”

However, now Joe not only smiled, but he giggled, grabbed the rope, and threw it back again. Now he was up to his waist, and now he was up to his chest.

And as Joe sank beneath the quicksand, his friends saw that wonderful smile on his face. And now there were only bubbles on the surface, and Joe languished beneath the quicksand, and succumbed to the nasty stuff.

It behooves us if and when we find ourselves ‘stuck’ functionally or emotionally that we take advantage of the ropes people attempt to throw to us.

By William McDonald, PhD. From (Mc)Donald's Daily Diary. Vol. 81. Copyright pending

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