by Shelley Fowler
A couple of weeks ago I heard Oprah talking on TV. She was confessing to the world that she had gained weight…again. She was questioning why after all the various avenues of success she’s attained, permanent weight loss is the one goal that seems expert at eluding her. I listened to her words as I watched her face and noticed her body language. It appeared that Oprah was embarrassed, frustrated and apologetic. I wanted to reach through the TV screen and clamp my hand over her mouth. And remind her that she has nothing to be embarrassed about, nor does she have anything to apologize for.
As for feeling frustrated, well that reaction is to be expected by her…or any of us when we don’t best the challenges and goals we set before ourselves. I was reminded anew of our Biblical friend named Paul. He was the guy who talked of having a ‘thorn’ that pricked him from time to time, although he never named exactly what that thorn represented in his life. I had written a column about the topic several years ago. With Oprah’s confession, I decided to revisit the subject and do some further expounding on what I believe is the description and attributes of a ‘thorn’. The way I see it, there’s not a one of us who doesn’t have a thorn of some sort poking us from time to time. That pesky barb makes us wince, often frustrates us beyond no end, and yes, even embarrasses us sometimes. For the thorn is a vivid reminder that we’re flawed, that we’re less than perfect, that we’re oh, so human. (I also believe the thorn keeps us humble, which is a very good thing!) Unlike Paul, but probably like Oprah, I will say that weight has (almost always) been the thorn whose point I strive daily to file down, to blunt, to control. Others also have obvious thorns, even though they aren’t related to the numbers on the scale. They can’t find an ounce of beauty or handsomeness in their features. They may talk funny, or walk funny, or are too tall or too short, or too (fill in the blank). They may be paralyzed or deaf or blind. They may have little hair, or no hair, or too much hair. Yes, the thorns of the physical ‘man’ are many, varied and out there for all the world to see. Then there are thorns that are hidden beneath the outer shell. The need and drive for perfection, not only in ourselves but in those around us. Psychological impairments, emotional issues, depression or painful memories. Or a myriad of other thorns that don’t readily present themselves for all the world to see. Now, back to Oprah and using her as a case in point of what happens when our thorn becomes the focus of our life! (Not a good thing, I might add!) She has more money than some countries. She is known worldwide for her philanthropy. She’s admired by millions of people. She has her health, she’s got great hair, she’s beautiful, she’s respected, she’s loved, she’s smart. And yet all these aspects of her, all these assets of hers, pale in comparison (in her eyes) to her thorn – the fact her body isn’t svelte and perfect! Wake up, Oprah! And wake up, Shelley! And wake up, each of you, too! Our thorns do painfully poke us from time to time and they make us cry out, “Ouch!” as we strive to pull them from their tenacious hold upon our body, mind and psyche and keep them in healthy perspective. But they also help us and dare I say, bless us, with their presence! For if we were thorn-less, we would know only arrogance and disdain for the thorns we see and sense in those folks around us. We would have no idea what compassion feels like or how much it’s needed! And if we were thornless, we wouldn’t be reminded that we have so many positive assets and aspects within us that are there because we had to work around those same thorns!Besides, if we were thorn-less, that would mean we would be perfect, anything but humble, and I doubt we’d be much fun to be around! So, here’s to all our thorns – big, small, outward and inward. May they turn from bruising us to blessing us and all the other ‘thorny’ souls who journey beside us on this pathway we call Life!
