WHEN THE WEIGHT IS ON YOUR BACK - YOU LEARN

By Vernalee

This proverb, “Once you carry your own water, you’ll learn the value of every drop” means that when you carry the load, you will appreciate the work that goes into getting or producing something.

Think about it. When you turn on your faucet and the water automatically flows, you don’t give it a second thought. It’s as easy as one, two, three. However, if you had to carry every drop of water that you used - to drink, to cook, to wash or bathe - in a bucket from a distant pump, you would soon begin to take caution not to waste any of it and literally appreciate every drop. When the weight is on your back and you carry the load, it is then that you recognize what it takes to do the tasks at hand. You will also see things differently - up close and personal. In addition, when you have to rely on yourself (i.e. carrying the water) and no one else, you do what it takes to get from point A to Z; to make ends meet. Once again, self preservation kicked in and we re-engaged our timeless motto, “If it is to be, it’s left up to me!”

Water just like the tasks of life can be a heavy load. I know it all too well.

Back in the day, I was the “water girl” who wore a big straw hat and gloves (to prevent callouses) as I carried a heavy tin bucket of water in the scorching Mississippi sun to soothe the thirst of the field workers chopping cotton. “Oh my aching back!”

Nevertheless, my job and theirs got done.

...It was all in a day‘s work! ...

Today, I appreciate my parents and the hard working people that I grew up around. Their tireless work ethic was incredible! They taught me values.

One of which is that hard work pays off!

Photo credit: me.me

ALONE IN A CROWD

By Vernalee

Feeling lonely in a crowd is nothing new. Many have felt the isolation. Worse than being alone is expecting the presence of someone who should be by your side, but they are no where to be found! Being a "crowd pleaser" is in many respects no longer vogue. The man who follows the crowd will not get any farther than the crowd. So what’s the catch? Is it better to be lonely alone than to be lonely in a crowd? It takes nothing to stand in a crowd. It takes a lot to stand alone. Do you really need people who magically disappear like Harry Houdini? What they do is just enough to be politically correct but not enough to be emotionally supportive.

Are your expectations wishful thinking or reality based? Stop! Don’t answer! And please don’t have a pity party. Stop exaggerating others’ worth when it’s not visible. Get with the program of knowing who’s who and who is not (in your life). The chameleons show up regularly and without notice. But is an appointment necessary for disappointments? Eventually, you’ll wise up. You will discover the folks who talk out of both sides of their mouth very elegantly. You will know exactly where you stand, where they stand, and how close their proximity is to yours? If during the process, you suffer from bouts of loneliness, hopefully you will eventually come to the greatest understanding in your life; a visibility that unlocks the mystery door. You’ll never alone as long as you have the Lord! Photo credit: www.youtube.com

STOP LOOKING AT OTHERS. GET YOUR HOUSE IN ORDER

By Vernalee

Thriving business; fantastic career; big house; new car; extravagant jewelry/clothes, lavish vacations …..all are sought after forms of materialism! Sounds good! Oh yes! But what happens to your psyche when someone has more of them than you? Are you truly happy for them or are you jealous? Do you really like to see people do good or do you resent it particularly when they are doing better than you? You don’t have to answer. Your conduct will reveal the truth; it’s very telling. It puts more visible definition to you than you think! Either you will show happiness, delight, joy, regret, envy, or resentment …. when you observe others’ success. If you are resentful, you wallow in your own misery. Stop becoming so wrapped up in others. Don’t become trapped in someone else’s glory; enjoy the splendor of your own life. Stay focused on mapping your path! I’m sorry! If there is still a noticeable twinge of jealousy and abundant envy circulating in your space, unfortunately you have not arrived. Jealousy is not a good utilization of your time. You end up spending more time on others – than yourself! What a waste! Get out of the equalization mode and realize/achieve your greatness! Remember looks are deceiving. What you see externally may not be reflective of what lies inside. Work hard so that you too can have your deserved portion. Realign your priorities and thinking! Put your time to good use! The time that you spend looking at other folks’ stuff … could be better utilized toward acquiring your own! Stop trying to keep up with the Joneses! Don’t worry (about theirs); be happy (about yours)! Photo credit: www.pininterest.com