Stella syndrome

Recently I bought some very expensive top of the line fishing rods and reels, (Stella combos). Not many people will invest that much money in fishing equipment, but I wanted the “best”. They are the envy of every fishing buddy that I have. The sleek looking Stella reels have stainless steel ball bearing drags, large handles that fit your hand like a glove, and perfectly matched and balanced rods that make reeling in a fish, (even a monster size fish), as smooth as it gets. When I get fuel at the marina for my boat, invariably people will come over just to admire these rod and reel combos proudly displayed in my rod holders.

The other day I took some “first timers” fishing. I did not know any of these guys, but thanks to my “loving” wife, I was “blessed” with being able to take them all fishing. My wife had “encouraged” me to take them fishing in her own loving way, (with a resolved, steely look in her eyes that signified if I wanted dinner that night or “any” night, I better not turn down this loving “request”). Apparently she had promised her friend from Atlanta that I would take her husband and two of his friends sail fishing while they were down in the Keys vacationing. My fishing partner refers to such “beginner” fisherman as “Bozos”, because it is like going to the circus and watching the clowns when one fishes with them. When I asked my fishing partner to come along for the fun, he smirked and made a “claim” that he had to work; I had to take them fishing by myself with no experienced mate to help out.

Early that morning I brought all of my expensive shiny new Stella rod and reel combinations on board and I could not help but stand there for a moment to admire those beauties glistening in the morning sun. They were all immaculately rigged with brand new “diamond” line with perfectly tied bimini knots secured with double uni knots to fluorocarbon leaders cut to “exactly the correct lengths, with “lazer” sharp circle hooks tied to the leaders with single uni knots. They were something to behold I tell you.

I have never seen anyone mess up the lines on reels so quickly as this trio. It is an axiom that one must not reel at the same time that a fish is taking out drag, or it will twist the line similar to teasing one’s hair, and the result will be an “afro” size ball of twisted monofilament. Not only did they reel while fish were taking out line on every occasion that we hooked up, but they got all of the lines crossed and unmercifully tangled, which further knotted and twisted them. I had been fighting a losing battle all day trying to keep the boat straight in a driving wind while simultaneously running to the back of the boat to untangle lines, replace hooks and leaders, re-tie bimini knots, re-bait hooks, and take the reels apart to get lines out from the “bowels” of the reels where the loops of twisted line had been tightly reeled by the excited anglers. At times these novice anglers even had monofilament line wrapped around and over their own heads and necks. I was exhausted, and in a word, it was UGLY




As I viewed my beautiful Stella combos after being in the hands of the “Bozos” for several hours, the line on every rod and reel was twisted and knotted with huge balls of monofilament wrapped over the reels and handles down to the rod tips, not a single combo had a hook on it and even if they had hooks on them, the reels were unusable and it was going to take some major work to make them usable again… It was sad is about all that can be said…

Fearing just such an event, I had brought some of my old rods and reels along as spares, and my illustrious crew quickly switched over to them, opting to go with older, less attractive equipment but without knots and twisted lines. Grins once again covered their sunburned faces and their fun began anew and I went up into the tower and just let them fend for themselves and watched the circus from on high and reflected on the significance of it all.

From my lofty perch I looked down upon them in the boat cockpit excitedly chattering amongst themselves like raucous jaybirds having the time of their lives and thought to myself, “Imagine how odd it is for these guys to spurn the superior Stella combos and instead opt for my old worn out rods and reels and still be as happy as pigs in slop”. Or is it odd? Hmmm It occurred to me that obviously even old rods and reels are more desirable than the finest most beautiful rods and reels ever made if they are all knotted, twisted, and messed up.

I then thought about how we might appear to be like the Stella combos at times in our own lives. In spite of what all we might have to offer, such as looks, intellect, a quick wit, finance, an engaging smile, charisma, loving heart, (a human Stella combo if you will), there just might be some knots and twisted hang-ups right beneath the beautiful exterior that would create so many problems in relationships with others to the point that they would rather be around someone else than spend time with a human Stella combo and have to deal with all of our hang-ups. And guess what? They can have a great time in so doing without us!

Hmmm If this might be the case, I suppose it calls for untwisting some inner lines, removing knots, and performing some maintenance on our inner selves. If you are self absorbed, self centered, feel sorry for yourself, are mad at everyone in your circle more often than not, (particularly when you do not get your own way), and upon reflection notice that you are all alone most of the time, then you just might deduce that all of this is connected and you just may be suffering from the Stella syndrome.

What to do? Get yourself untangled. Most people would prefer not to deal with the problems and excess baggage of others, (even including family members), forever. It is far more fun hanging out with people who do not have such hang-ups, is it not? Unless we want to spend most of our time alone, it might serve us well to think about untwisting our lives and getting rid of some of the knots… Do what the Bible recommends, focus on God first and others second and get out of the self centered bog. The Bible states that if one wants friends, then one must be friendly themselves. This cannot be feigned; it must be sincere and that can only be accomplished through loving others as you love yourself as the Bible commands Easy to say; more difficult to do, but that is what prayer is for; wouldn’t you agree?

Matt. 22:36
Teacher which is the greatest
commandment in the law?
Jesus said to him, “You shall
love the Lord your God with all your
heart, with all of your soul, and with
all your mind.
This is the first and great
commandment.
And the second is like it: You
shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
On these two commandments
hang all the Law and the Prophets.