Whatever your objective, make certain you know who the real opponent is.

One of Aesop’s fables is about a lion who was sleeping in the sunshine when a little mouse ran across his paw and awakened him. Immediately, the great lion trapped the little rodent and was about to have a snack. The mouse cried, “Oh, please, let me go, sir. Some day I may help you.” The lion scoffed at the idea that the tiny mouse could be of any practical use to him. However, he was a good-natured lion and set the mouse free.

A few days later, the lion became snared in a large net. He tugged and pulled with all his might, but the ropes were far too strong. He roared loudly – and that little mouse heard him and ran to his rescue.

“Be still, dear Lion, and I will set you free,” insisted his tiny friend.

With his sharp little teeth, the mouse gnawed through the ropes and the lion escaped from the net. “Once, you laughed at me,” said the mouse. “You thought I was too small to help you. But see, you owe your life to me.”

To whom will you turn for help?

Neil Eskelin jumpstartlist@neileskelin.com