The Tale of Terry and the Tenacious Tack

Once upon a time in the bustling town of Everydayville, there lived a chap named Terry.

Terry was your average Joe—well, except for one little thing. Unbeknownst to most, Terry had a tack permanently stuck in his butt. Yes, you read that right—a shiny, sharp tack had made its home right there on Terry's left cheek! The tack first made its appearance one fateful afternoon at Terry’s office. You see, Terry worked at "Cheeks Relief," a company so dedicated to making life comfortable for its employees that it accidentally forgot to check the comfort of their chairs. Terry, in a rush from a very engaging lunch break discussing the metaphysical implications of potato chips, plopped down into his chair, and voila! The tack introduced itself to his lower frame.

At first, Terry was in agony. He jumped up, did a little dance that would later be known as the 'Terry Twist,' and pondered pulling it out. But, as deadlines loomed and emails piled up, Terry decided to "deal with it later." Days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months, and the tack became as much a part of Terry as his own cellulite. Colleagues started noticing that Terry had developed a peculiar lean in his gait—what some might call a ‘swagger,’ but it was really just a tack-tical adjustment. Terry, however, began to see the tack as a part of his daily routine. He named it "Tacitus," after the stoic philosopher, because like his ancient namesake, the tack inspired a kind of resigned indifference in Terry.

One sunny day, while Terry was sipping his fourth cup of matcha-enhanced coffee, a new employee named Wilma joined the office. Wilma, a vibrant soul who wore her aura like a technicolor dreamcoat, noticed Terry's lopsided limping and winced every time he sat down."Hey Terry," she ventured one day, "why do you wince like you’ve just watched the finale of your favorite show get canceled, every time you sit?" Terry chuckled. "Oh, that's just Tacitus, my personal little life coach. Keeps me in check, reminds me of the persistent pains of existence," he explained with a mix of pride and a dash of martyrdom.

Wilma, who wasn’t just about random chit chat but also about removing unnecessary pain from the cosmos, gave Terry a look that was part therapist, part wizard. "You know, Terry," she said in a tone that suggested enlightenment was just a conversation away, "just because you're used to the pain doesn’t mean it has to be part of your life. Comfort is not just corporate policy—it’s a choice!"

This simple revelation hit Terry like a truck full of meditation cushions.

He had become so accustomed to the discomfort that he forgot he could just… remove it.

With a blend of hesitation and excitement, Terry finally decided to part ways with Tacitus. Post-tack-ectomy, Terry’s life changed. His walk straightened, his mood lightened, and he even retired the Terry Twist for a more joyful jig. Terry learned a valuable lesson that day: just because you’re accustomed to discomfort, doesn't mean it has to become part of your life's upholstery. And from then on, Terry made a point to choose comfort, whenever possible, much to the delight of his butt and the office at large. And so, Terry lived more comfortably ever after, reminding us all that sometimes, removing the tack is all it takes to find a little more joy in the journey.

Any spiritual, emotional tacks nagging you? Help remove them here!!'

Helena and Brian Collins

Life in Synergy®

Embracing a New Horizon: A Personal Declaration of Compassionate Detachment

A Life in Synergy® starts within.

As I sit to transpose the whirlwind of thoughts into structured sentences,

a familiar serenity washes over me. It's the calm before the storm of revelation, a moment that always prefaces the pivotal decisions in my life. My love Helena, the only one who has walked with me through countless musings and has stood by my side as I've grappled with the weight of the world, will understand the gravity of what I'm about to share.

The truth is, I've arrived at an understanding, a pivotal shift in my journey.

There comes a time when the mantle we choose to carry becomes too heavy, not for the lack of strength, but for the enlightenment of the soul. The mantle I speak of is the unspoken vow I took upon myself to step into the arena of every battle, to take on all issues that the Earth presents with open arms and a willing heart. For years, I’ve let the global consciousness guide my actions, feeling the pain of every tree felled, the sorrow in every act of unkindness, the despair in each story of injustice. My days have been a reflection of the world’s chaos, a microcosm of the larger tapestry of human experience. I endeavored to be a healer, a beacon of light, to take on the suffering and transform it within the crucible of my spirit.

But here's the unvarnished truth – one soul cannot and should not bear the brunt of all worldly woes.

This is not an epiphany born out of exhaustion or despair, but out of profound love and respect for the collective journey of humanity and the individual path I walk. I am stepping back, not out of the fight, but into a different stance. I am not abdicating my role as a participant in this global village, nor am I suggesting that I will turn a blind eye to the suffering and challenges that permeate our existence. Instead, I am choosing to engage with these challenges with a renewed perspective — one of compassionate detachment.

Compassionate detachment is not about indifference or passivity; it’s about engaging with the world judiciously, acknowledging that I am but one thread in the intricate tapestry of existence. It's about realizing that I can be of greater service by uplifting my own spirit and in turn, creating ripples of positive energy that have the potential to inspire change in others.

I will continue to stand for what I believe in, to extend a hand where I can make a difference, and to lend my voice to causes that resonate with the truth of my heart. But I will do so with the understanding that I am part of a greater whole, that every individual has their part to play, and that the evolution of our collective consciousness requires each one of us to be whole within ourselves first. In this new chapter, I will focus on empowering myself and others to become agents of change within their own realms. By doing so, I can contribute to a world where the burdens are shared, and the responsibilities are shouldered not by a single individual, but by a community of souls working in synergy.

To my dear companions on this journey, let’s not see this as stepping back, but rather as stepping up — into greater self-awareness, into a more sustainable form of engagement, and into a deeper trust in the flow of life and the collective power we hold when each of us stands strong in our own light. Until next time, let's walk each other home with gentle steps and open hearts, ever committed to the good that we can do, not just the good that we wish we could do.

With a heart full of love and a soul re-ignited by purpose,

Brian Collins