The Scars Of Life

Our souls are very much like motorcars. As we continue our journey through life we pick up scratches and dents. We develop bearing knocks and hums in the diff. Yes, our gears start scratching and our clutches begin to shudder.

But a car can be serviced and repaired; panel-beated and re-sprayed. With our souls it is a bit more complicated. The Americans probably cope best with it by seeing a “shrink”. Here in my country, you are viewed with suspicion if you should dare to take such a step.

Here you simply obey or ignore those little voices, but talk about it – never.

Nevertheless, counselling does not remove the problem; it merely helps you to cope with it. Sometimes these scars stem from our childhood. I have such a hang-up too.

My mother, as much as I loved her, was a nagger. She would nag from the time she got up until going to bed. I had to tolerate it then, but as I grew up and flew the nest, I found that I could no longer endure a constant nagging. After all, I did not have to any more. How my father managed to cope can only be admired.

The quickest and surest way for a woman to get rid of me is to start nagging and yet, it would appear that I’m attracted by such women. Missing my mother?

The result is that I cannot maintain a relationship. I never have too many problems in getting a girlfriend, but the best I could do was my two marriages which lasted 5 and 6 years respectively. Other than that I have only a handful of relationships lasting longer than 2 years. When the nagging comes in by the front door, I leave by the back door.

But then, just maybe I become such a bore after a while that the ladies start nagging on purpose to get rid of me!