IF IT WALKS LIKE A DUCK … IT MUST BE A DUCK

By Vernalee

Remember the old famous duck test.

If it looks like a duck; walks like a duck; swims like a duck; quacks like a duck, it's probably a duck!

The duck test is a form of deductive reasoning.

The test implies that a person can identify an unknown subject by observing that subject's habitual characteristics. In other words, things are usually what they appear to be.

It is us who don't accept the obvious.

It is us who ignore the behaviors, provide excuses, and try to discern the motives. Motives are hard to define particularly when they are synthetic and insincere.

Don't be fooled. Everyone is not your friend. People wear so many disguises – many of which are hard to detect; others of which are not visibly noticeable.

I remember the old folks saying, “Everyone bears watching!” It’s amazing how I embrace those quotes today. In my younger years, I thought that those old fashioned souls knew nothing at all. Stop categorizing people by saying what they will not do. So keep your “guards up” around folks that you don’t trust.

Better yet, keep them out of your space if at all possible. Follow your instincts! Your nose is usually not wrong!

Believe what you see. There is such danger in assumption. Take notes; pay attention. Don’t be paranoid, but reasonably stay on alert.

People, just like ducks, can "fly the coop." They are not always what they seem or what we think.

Quack, quack! Photo credit: www.pininterest.com

LOYALTY

By Vernalee

Loyalty is defined as a strong feeling of support or allegiance.

The operative question is not -What it is? The better questions are - Do you have it? Are you a loyal person? Are people loyal to you? Who wants to be around those who will turn on you as fast as you can turn your head? These are questions that we must individually answer for ourselves. If we misclassify someone‘s loyalty, their actions will always speak. Loyal people seek alliances with and are drawn to those that they perceive as being loyal. I respect loyal people and consider myself - loyal. My family/friends know who I am. I think that I have shown them my loyal side.

Now then -

* Have I encountered people who exhibit loyalty when I am doing something for them, but when the “doing“ is over, so is their loyalty? Yes.

* Did I feel used? Yes.

* Have I been fooled, hurt, and betrayed by someone that I thought was loyal and that I could trust? Yes. It happens. Now what? We move on! We learn! We make adjustments. We get wiser. We make better choices and pray for the best! Photo credit: pininterest

THE AXE FORGETS BUT THE TREE REMEMBERS

By Vernalee

I recently read a passage that stuck with me. It went like this. "The instrument that cut the tree, be it an “axe” or saw, did the job and moved onto the next tree. The cut it made was of little to no consequence to the tool. However, the wound it left behind on the tree will take a long time to heal and will leave a scar. The tree will not ever forget the experience or the tool that was used.

We are all trees.

Some people are strong oak trees and others are delicate dogwoods, but all trees are vulnerable when pruned.

Your actions and words will leave wounds and scars just like the axe does with the tree. A bad judgement, poor choice or the slip of your tongue can crack another person’s heart. When you walk away, they are left with the pain and only time will eventually help scar over the wound that you left." It pays to be mindful of our words and actions. You never know where they will land and what the consequences may be. Once said, you cannot take your words back. The sting and memories of hurtful words and actions live on …

Photo credit: twitter