Tiger By The Tail

I've Got A Tiger By The Tail, it's plain to see;
I won't be much when you get thru' with me.
Well, I'm a losing weight and a turnin' mighty pale.
Looks like I've Got A Tiger By The Tail. -- Lyrics from Buck Owens I’ve Got A Tiger By The Tail

How many times have we had a tiger by the tail? This metaphor could sum up most days for me. There seems to be these little things that if you let go of them long enough they are going to turn right around and shred you.

Some of those tigers you have to really grip on to and some you forget you are even grasping a tail at the time. Only do you get reminded you are holding them when you let go and are surprised to be staring something dangerous in the eye. Can’t probably out run it. To strong to win a hand to hand fight with. Your arsenal of weapons are too small caliber to take it down--even with a well placed shot.

On the other hand, some of those tigers that you have by their tail don’t want to turn around and devour you. Some of them would make like the wind and breeze away if they could. Meaning if you would let them go. Release the tail, release the tiger, release the pain, release the doubt, release the fear, release the memories. For anyone that ever has water-skied, it is the same feeling as when you release the rope when you come to the end of the circling behind the boat. As long as you hold on you are under the control of the rope, the boat pulling it, the “tiger.” Release yourself and you skim the surface ever slowing until you come to a stop and sink into the water. Or crash into something or catch your ski and do a face first header into a not very soft surface that water can be at times.

So try to determine the type of tiger you have a hold of. They could be a combination of the two types as well. I have had a few that when I let them go they turned around and kicked the s#@t out of me and then left for parts unknown. I bandaged myself up and kept on going.

What is my alternative?

Here are the rest of the lyrics to this great song by the recently departed Buck Owens. Here is a You Tube link to a performance of his. Enjoy.

I've Got A Tiger By The Tail, it's plain to see;
I won't be much when you get thru' with me.
Well, I'm a losing weight and a turnin' mighty pale.
Looks like I've Got A Tiger By The Tail.

Well, I thought the day I met you, you were meek as a lamb;
Just the kind to fit my dreams and plans.
But now, the pace we're livin' takes the wind from my sails
And it looks like I've Got A Tiger By The Tail.

I've Got A Tiger By The Tail, it's plain to see;
I won't be much when you get thru' with me.
Well,I'm a losing weight and a turnin' mighty pale.
Looks like I've Got A Tiger By The Tail.

Well, ev'ry night you drag me where the bright lights are found;
There ain't no way to slow you down
I'm as 'bout as helpless as a leaf in a gale;
And it looks like I've Got A Tiger By The Tail.

I've Got A Tiger By The Tail, it's plain to see;
I won't be much when you get thru' with me.
Well,I'm a losing weight and a turnin' mighty pale.
Looks like I've Got A Tiger By The Tail.