A Bare Butt, A Long Needle, and Jack In The Box Hamburgers
Posted by Brent on Nov 8, 2011 in Blog Entries | 7 comments
It was the first time I’d ever had a major procedure done on my back. It was just a few days ago.
The Doctor was young, but energetic, friendly, funny, and encouraging. He’d explained the options…I’d chosen the one that involved ‘the big needle’ instead of the knife.
Were they really staring at my bare butt?
He explained all the risks, asked if he could pray for me (which I agreed to), and next thing you know he was gone. In 10 minutes…that’s when the big needle and I would meet.
I strip down, put on the worst pair of hospital shorts and gown that I’d ever seen.
Next thing I know, they have me in a room of 6 people. 5 women and 1 guy. I’m up on the table, and next thing I know my back and my butt are uncovered.
Truth is, I’m used to my wife seeing my butt…and my massage therapist. And that’s it.
Smart people laugh too 
But, after a few seconds, I was listening to the spirited conversation going on between the doctors and the lady assistants. There was no talk about my butt. Heck, I don’t think anybody was looking at it except for the woman putting on the disinfectant. Everyone was too focused on discussing, debating, and arguing about burgers at Jack In the Box
Do you ever worry about what people might see in you? Or, do you get so focused on your own ‘butt’ (or something about yourself ) that you fail to see how you can enjoy the life around you?
We actually had some good fun and good discussion about burgers, butts, and God. But…it was only after I got over my own obsession with my own bare butt .
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Brent, I wish I had some insightful response to this…but alas, I don’t. I did however, laugh…a lot….as I read this. I also REALLY get the point you are making. I now need to apply that to my life and recognize the times where I am too focused on those things which really are insignificant. I will call those the “bare butt moments” from this point forward. As always, thanks for sharing in a way that only you can
Hi Jennifer – Thanks for taking time to leave a comment. It is fun to write stuff like this….I love trying to add some humor, but have ‘meat’ to it as well. I think I have to write stuff like this to help me to deal with my own fears and insecurities…helps me recognize how really insignificant that they can be….and that I should continue to try to stay ‘outward focused’….moving past being consumed with myself. Bare-Butt Moments…I love it
This a great point Brent. As a Trainer I use to feel that I needed to be “perfect”…… That I had to have perfect abs, the whole package. My wife and I sometimes felt we couldnt go out in public and “eat bad” for one night because of what we are suppose to represent, we would even miss out on having a great time with family for this same reason. That has changed over the years, we have “let go” of that stereotype and are now ENJOYING THE LIFE AROUND US !
Great points Eric! I think being able to ‘cut loose’ and be ourselves is key. So often….it’s pressure that we put on ourselves to live up to expectations. It’s funny that you mention ‘perfect abs’. I’ve been down to less than 7% bodyfat at times…and those perfect abs still don’t exist for me
But…I’m learning to be myself even without perfect abs. God and good friends accept me, though I’ll never have a side gig doing Bowflex commercials 
Brent: That was a very entertaining and unique way to make an important point! I enjoyed reading and saw myself in what you shared. The first time I ever spoke before a group I was so nervous. I was talking to a group of moms and one dad about raising kids for a church group. I looked at all the faces and it seemed to me the dad was looking at me very critically. I kept thinking – he thinks I’m stupid – they all know this stuff – I’m not a speaker – what was I thinking. With all those thoughts swirling it’s amazing I got through my talk. At the end – he was looking at me so seriously – I thought to myself – he hated everything I said.
Then he stood up and said – that was the best parenting talk I’ve heard – I actually learned something and you’re a great speaker. I was floored!! I tormented myself with what I thought he was thinking and I was 100% wrong. It is so much better as you illustrated not to take ourselves so seriously that we don’t enjoy the moment we are in!
Thank you Ann! I love your story. That can be true so much of the time….we can perceive someone else quite differently than what they really are. I’ve done the same……and I know work on trying to assume positive things….and give others the benefit of the doubt first. Love what you say about not taking ourselves so seriously as well – that really does help us to enjoy live more
Thanks for taking time to comment…
What a great story! I have never seen your ‘back yard’ and I am truly thankful. A jack in the box burger sounds a lot better to me!
That story really drove the point home for me as well. None of us are as big of a deal as we think sometimes, especially to complete strangers.