I just mailed out my 2008 taxes this past week. I really hate doing taxes. It costs me money, it hangs over my head, it's a pain in the butt. And they're finally out the door.
My mother-in-law today recounted a statement that the pastor at one of her previous churches made. It was with regard to those things in life that we'll do just about anything to avoid. What he said was this:
If you have a plate of ugly frogs in front of you, eat the ugliest one first.
Somehow I knew instantly what she was talking about. Frogs aren't the best eatin' anyway, but ugly frogs? Oh man. My taxes were the ugliest frog on my plate, and I let it sit there until it was really good and smelly.
But I still had to eat it. It really would have been a lot better had I just gotten that ugly frog off of my plate in, oh, February.
Taxes may not be that big a deal for some people. It could be any number of things: cleaning out the gutters, sitting down to plan a budget or retirement, going to the doctor or dentist, doing inventory … any stuff that has to get done, but can be put off temporarily. It's rarely a good idea to let such tasks sit on your plate, because it takes its toll mentally. It constantly reminds you that it's there, and robs you of some of your attention, so why let it?
Just eat those ugly frogs, man!
Thanks for reminding me, I need to get going on the laundry…
In fact frogs are not that bad. They taste like chicken, but there is not much to eat in them.
I have never heard the saying about the frogs, but I totally agree with the principle. That’s why my tax return is always one of the first completed items on my new year’s to-do list.