Don’t let the tail wag the dog…
So, what does that mean? It means don’t let the smallest or least important part of something be in control of the larger or more important parts.
And this is not just in dogs.
The purpose of a tail is complicated. Not just for communication, but also for balance.
A retriever in the water (me?) uses her tail like a rudder to help maintain an even course toward her goal.
Dogs (we?) need their tails when they change directions quickly. Herding dogs execute sharp turns as they circle the sheep and often navigate uneven ground. Their tails work like a counterbalance, helping keep all four feet on the ground. The tail’s weight is on the opposite side of the dog’s tilt, much like a tightrope walker uses a balance bar to stay upright.
I think our past is our invisible “tail.“ And we use it to help balance as we go around the difficult corners of our life.
After all, balance is not standing still and doing nothing. That wouldn’t keep us safe.
Balance is dynamic. And rather than dwelling on our past, we can allow it to inform us as we begin moving in our chosen direction. The present may seem like our tightrope, but we keep moving along it towards our future.
Instead of telling ourselves not to let our past define our future, it should be not to let our past dictate our future. Our history can act as a reminder to our present. It can offer some clues as to what to do and not to do. But it is just a tool.
It is important for all of us (dogs included!) to trust the tools we have that help us create balance as we move forward to a better life!
So let’s all carefully chose to…
3 Comments
Pat this is so true! In today’s world, with some trying to do away with “history”(the tail) by eliminating statues, etc., people are refusing to learn and grow from past events.
Lovely! It is important to live in the present, but plan for the future.
The past has provided more than lessons. It also points to a curve in the path coming up.