BY JEFF CORBETT

An old dog was stretched out on the porch of a country general store, moaning and growling while lying half-asleep in the sun.

“Why is your dog making all those noises?” a customer asked the store owner.

“Oh,” answered the owner, “he’s lying on a nail.”

“Well then,” said the customer, “why doesn’t he move?”

“Because,” said the owner, “it’s not hurting him bad enough.”

A Dangerous Place

There is a middle ground between taking action and doing nothing, and that can be the most dangerous spot of all.

Like the dog on the nail, we all have things we know we need to do, but it’s not painful or earth shattering enough so you put it off. Sound familiar?

Things like losing weight, apologizing to someone, making that phone call, or finally making an overdue change in your life — the list is long.

I recently saw the story on MSN about 101-year-old Babette Hughes and the eight rules she lives by. This year she’s publishing her ninth book.

What struck me most was her quote: “There’s a gap between what we know and what we do. The problem for so many people is (just) doing it. And that’s more mysterious than I can explain.”

You’re Never Through

The first rule of Hughes’ eight rules is “Don’t ever believe you’re ‘done.’ ”

“People give up on their lives much too early,” she adds. “People have gifts that they may not know they have, and it may take a lifetime to find them.”

So what do you do?

You can shift your focus to savor every moment, living fully every day. Here’s how:

Living Your Dash

In the book “The Dash,” Linda Ellis shares the story of a man who spoke at the funeral of a friend. (Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVLqkExH5ww) The man first referred to the date of his friend’s birth. Then, containing his tears, he noted the date of her death. But what mattered most of all, he said, was that small dash between the two dates. That’s where all the good stuff happens.

Your dash represents all your time alive, of what you did, who you loved, and how you left the world a better place.

You’re writing your dash right now. Are you proud of what you see so far?

A Richer Life, Step-by-Step

Having a meaningful life does not require superhuman effort or a genius IQ.

It just requires a commitment, a passion, and getting off the couch and doing something good for yourself and others.

In “The Wizard of Oz,” Dorothy always had the ability to return to Kansas by clicking her ruby red slippers together.

Likewise for you, a robust and richer life is patiently waiting inside of you for its wake-up call. It’s simply a daily process of small, intentional steps.

Mind Your Dash

In their book “212° The Extra Degree,” S.L. Parker and Mac Anderson make this point in a wonderful way.

“At 211°, water is hot. At 212°, it boils. And with boiling water comes steam. And steam can power a locomotive.”

One degree of difference, exponential results!

Think about it. As Anderson and Parker point out, if you do two extra kindnesses each week, then in one year, you will have made 104 lives better. That’s your “extra degree.”

Or, if you give just one compliment each day for the next 12 months, you will have brightened the lives of 365 souls.

Can you — will you — start giving that extra effort — that extra degree — wherever needed and whatever that looks like in your life?

Start today. Your dash is depending on you!

Jeff Corbett is an experienced public speaker, meeting facilitator and sales/marketing professional. He lives in Statesville.