I Prefer Being the Hammer

As I was cutting the lawn the other day, I was thinking about some issues that are going on in my life.  One has to do with my son and some of the things he has been dealing with.  Lets be clear before I go any further.  I love my kids.  Would do anything for them.  Period.

So, thinking about him I feel he is just not understanding how life works and were he fits in.  Here is how I see it.  You are either the Hammer or the Nail.  This is not the same as being good or bad.  When you compare these the relationship of the hammer and the nail too the world, there are a lot of similarities.

1. There are always more nails then hammers.  So in life, there are always more of those who follow the those who lead.
2. Nails are important as are hammers.  Each really cannot do much could without the other.  Same for followers and leaders.
3. Good hammers and nails are valued to varying degrees.  Bad hammers and nails are always discarded and left to rust away.  Good people are valued to varying degrees.  Bad people are shunned and avoided.
 
Here is were things start getting a little more one sided.

4. One is always looking for a particular hammer to do a particular job.  And although one looks for nails, there are a usually whole bunch to choose from.  Same in life.  Certain leaders are needed for certain jobs.  There is never a lack of followers / workers.
5. You will reuse a hammer over and over again.  Once you use a nail, you really do not give it much thought.  In life, people who are leaders will be involved in multiple projects and goings on.  The followers for the most part do their one thing and do not experiment.
6. The hammer is the one that is hitting the nail.  Leaders are usually on top giving the orders.  When the job is done they move on.  The followers are the ones doing the hard work that remains.
7. When I hammer is broken, it is usually repaired though not always. Sometimes it is thrown away or just left sitting somewhere.  Not so much for the nail.  If it breaks, it is dispensable and easily discarded.
8. If a nail is being stubborn, the hammer will keep hitting the nail.  Sometime a BIGGER hammer is brought in (see 4#).  The nail will usually yield to the hammer's will at some point or it bends/breaks.  If it bends/breaks #7 will then apply.  Leaders do not give up easily.  If the follower does not follow he is left behind.
9. People take care of their hammers and deem them important.  Nails on the other hand are easy to come by.  People want to be with leaders and leaders get the most out of life.  Followers are generally walked all over and sit on the side as life passes them by.

To sum it all up, one needs to choose to be the hammer or the nail.   I Prefer Being the Hammer.