When a trout rising to a fly gets hooked on a line and finds

himself unable to swim about freely, he begins with a fight

which results in struggles and splashes and sometimes an escape.

Often, of course, the situation is too tough for him.


In the same way the human being struggles with his environment

and with the hooks that catch him. Sometimes he masters his

difficulties; sometimes they are too much for him. His struggles

are all that the world sees and it naturally misunderstands them.

It is hard for a free fish to understand what is happening to a

hooked one.

-----Karl A. Menninger

What a great tale! Menninger is definitely "up there."

I read it to the neighbor kid. He had this question:

Did the trout come with almonds?

Tom

It could but why add earrings to an elephant!

Here is an old one that I love....

After a While

After a while you learn the subtle difference between
holding a hand and chaining a soul,

And you learn that love doesn't mean leaning and
company doesn't mean security,

And you begin to learn that kisses aren't contracts
and presents aren't promises,

And you begin to accept your defeats with your head up
and your eyes open, with the grace of an adult, not the
grief of a child,

And you learn to build all your roads on today because
tomorrow's ground is too uncertain for plans.

After a while you learn that even sunshine burns if you
get too much.

So plant your own garden and decorate your own soul,
instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers.

And you learn that you really can endure....

That you really are strong,

And you really do have worth.

"So plant your own garden and decorate your own soul,
instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers.

And you learn that you really can endure....

That you really are strong,

And you really do have worth."

Wow!! Thanks Alffe

thank you Alffe. those were both wonderful.

i think i shall share the trout story with my parents.

and renew focus on decorating my own soul.

~ waves ~

rofl, leave it to a kid... one track mind ... FOOD.

and maybe he heard 'cooked' instead of 'hooked' in the latter part of the tale.... cooked trout with almonds, please pass the butter....

~ waves ~

glad you liked them dear lady....and you have a beautiful soul..trust me!

Chapter One

I walk down the street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I fall in.
I am lost...I am helpless.
It isn't my fault.
It takes forever to find a way out.

Chapter Two

I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I pretend I don't see it.
I fall in again.
I can't believe I am in this same place.
But it isn't my fault.
It still takes a long time to get out.

Chapter Three

I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I see it is there.
I still fall in...it's a habit...but,
It is my fault.
I get out immediately.

Chapter Four

I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I walk around it.

Chapter Five

I walk down another street.

Hi Alffe- I've seen this one before and love it! Someone I know who went through a very rough time used to have this up in her office for inspiration.

Exactly my thoughts Wish, except it was me who had this up.. in my home... within months of leaving my marriage.

Alffeee thanks so much for reminding me... I'm inspired to put work this into a poster that I am going to hang in my home! Yessireeeee!

It will remind me of where I'm going when my gut tells me: "this isn't working"....

love love love this thread! Trouts and Holes!

Addy