A wild boar was sharpening his tusks on the trunk of a tree in the forest when a fox came by and said, “Why are you doing that? I’ve been out here all day and I can tell you that not one huntsman is out today; there are no dangers right now.” The wild boar replied, “That’s true, my friend, but the instant my life is in danger I will need to use my tusks – and there’ll be no time to sharpen them then!”
Many people avoid working on their relationships when there is no problem at hand. Unfortunately, when a problem does arise, if people have not done enough work to handle the issue, then things can quickly escalate; and even the most incredible relationships can fall apart if the tusks are not sharpened.
Don’t wait until it’s too late to sharpen your tusks. Work on the relationships that matter to you before the proverbial huntsman comes. Start by listening to the other person. Listen for a while. Then listen a little more.
No matter how great the connection, no matter how wonderful the relationship, the huntsman always inevitably comes; but those who are prepared can do well.
Take some time today to sharpen your tusks….