Imagine you’re on a hike, and a small stone finds it way into your shoe.
You’re in a rush to get to your campsite by sunset. You’ve got a long way to go.
The stone rubs against your heel. It’s painful, but not unbearable.
So you press on.
But over time, the stone makes itself at home. A blister forms, and your raw, red heel has paid the price for you not sitting down to sort the problem out when it first emerged.
We encounter many small stones in our daily lives. And despite the inconvenience, we’re often better off getting rid of them the moment they arise.