How an Imaginary Snake Slapped Me in the Face

If you’ve been following me for a while, you probably know I’m a thinker. I analyze everything, even the things beyond my control, like why people do what they do.

Just like how some math equations remain unsolvable, this “mathematician” of human interaction doesn’t always find her answer (“They said they would do one thing but did the opposite the next—the logic just doesn’t add up!”). Sometimes, all I get is a headache, as if I’ve been tasked with counting the limitless digits of pi.

Last night, however, I didn’t stay up late counting pi. I stumbled across a quote on social media that made me stop and reflect instead:

“Imagine being bitten by a snake, and instead of focusing on healing from the poison, you chase the snake to understand why it bit you and to prove that you didn’t deserve it.”

– Unknown

I don’t think I’ve ever felt a harder slap in the face.

For me, the quote is a powerful reminder to heal from within. It’s a beautiful metaphor for letting go of what we can’t control and tending to what we can.

I know myself. I know who I am as a person—and you know who you are too. The greatest compliment we can wear each day is our own self-respect. We don’t need to try so hard to prove it to the world. Believe me—when we’ve made it clear that we regard inner healing as the utmost priority, we shine differently.

P.S. Thank you, Wizard Liz, for posting this slap-in-the-face quote on your Instagram story.

If you like this post, you might also enjoy Workplace Wisdom: We All Have Something to Learn and Big Sis Advice on Life Lessons You Didn’t Learn in School.