We say, “cut me some slack,” when we want to have less pressure applied to us. We are asking for less than our diligence or best effort as being good enough, at least for a little while.
It reminds me of the Rumi poem, “The Core of Masculinity.”
“The core of masculinity does not derive
from being male, nor friendliness
from those who console.
Your old grandmother says, “Maybe you
shouldn’t go to school. You look a little pale.”
Run when you hear that.
A father’s stern slaps are better.
Your bodily soul wants comforting.
The severe father wants spiritual clarity.
He scolds but eventually
leads you into the open.
Pray for a tough instructor
to hear and act and stay within you.
We have been busy accumulating solace.
Make us afraid of how we were.”
Rumi, as translated by Coleman Barks
Solace. Comfort. When we ask for “slack” or to be given “some slack,” we are asking for two “poor baby’s” as though that will make us feel better.
We will feel better when we achieve what we set out to do, rather than pursue comfort.
Ⓒ The Big Game Hunter, Inc., Asheville, NC 2019
ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER
Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter is a career and leadership coach who worked as a recruiter for more than 40 years. He is the host of “No BS Job Search Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for job search with more than 1200 episodes and his newest show, “No BS Coaching Advice” and is a member of The Forbes Coaches Council.
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