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

WISDOM

By Vernalee

Never forget that there are those who have walked the path before us! Their footsteps have left visible grooves in the road. They provided us with a roadmap outlining all of the curves, bumps in the road, and danger zones. We can learn from them if we take heed of their advice. The obvious benefit is -

We don’t have to “go it alone“ and learn everything the hard way. As the old folks say, ”Bought Wisdom is Better Than Taught Wisdom!”

I heard that - loud and clear! It took me a while but I’ve learned my lesson the hard way... so you don’t have to tell me again twice ...anymore! Photo credit: facebook.com

JUST FEED 'EM WITH A LONG HANDLED SPOON

By Vernalee

I found myself telling my niece something this week that went way, way back to my days growing up on a graveled paved road lined with dirt ditches now called Spencer Street (it was unnamed when I lived there). It was one of those throw back phrases that I often heard the old women say. "Girl, just feed 'em with a long handled spoon." Of course as a young girl, I had no idea what that meant!

This saying - "simply means to respect people, but not to get too close to them especially if they have hurt you in some way in the past. While you treat them how you would like to be treated, you still cast an eye behind your back and make sure they don't hurt you again."

Back then, my friends and I constantly laughed at their talking about the incidents of their life. We thought that none of that stuff would ever happen to us. We were too smart or so we thought. We always said, ”Those old folks are just trying to get into our business. They don’t know what they are talking about.”

Age brings about a change. We grew to “eat our words.” Those women were wise beyond years. They had ”walked their talk!”

They also told us, “Jes keep on a living and when life smacks ya in the face, y‘all will understand what we are trying to tell ya!”

Were they ever right!

I can see them now sitting on their porches (some drinking lemonade and others in all honesty drinking a shot of strong Old Forester whiskey straight without a chaser). I can hear them talking stuff as we youngsters walked by without a care in the world.

”Read my lips. I'm gonna keep this short and sweet. Follow this here advice that I’m giving ya and it'll sho keep ya outta trouble."

To my elders, I now say this. “ It took some years for your words to sink in and penetrate my soul. Do know that I heard you then and I still remember your words of old. Strangely, they took root. Nowadays, your words are not funny any more. I listened. I took heed. You would be proud of me because I just used that long handled spoon!”

Photo credit: www,pininterest,com