Square Peg Round Hole

There is always a bit of humor watching a kid attempt to put the square peg in the round hole.  The reasoning and problem solving process really makes me laugh.  First, they assess the peg, then look at the hole, then attempt to put the peg in the hole, then get frustrated when it doesn’t fit, then start banging it on the table trying to make it fit, then throw a tantrum, and then finally look for alternatives like a square hole for a square peg.  I wish I could say the process was age specific, but it’s not. 

I think of the times when I’ve tried to make things fit in my life and went through all the steps above, especially in relationships.  I’ve been in situations knowing on the from the beginning that things were off, but I chose not to listen to my instincts and the still small voice inside, because “I was smarter!”  I still tried to make the square peg fit the round hole.  When it didn’t fit, I tried to make it fit, then would get frustrated, throw a fit, and finally come to the realization there were alternatives AKA, choices.

As we get older and have more life experiences, we do get better at reasoning and problem solving, but there are and will be occasions where we still try to fit the square peg in the round hole.  Are you banging your peg against the wrong hole?  Maybe it’s time to look at the alternatives.