The Grass Is Always Greener?
(I don't think I'm the only one?)
Now maybe you’re not a greener-grass-girl like me.
Instead you’re amply content. Pleased with every single thing you have. And you've never-ever-wished for anything else, ever.
(Truth be told? I’m a little jealous of you naturally-my-grass-is-always-the-best-green-grass-girls. Honestly? I simply live in awe of you.)
All too often though, I’ve chosen to look at other people’s stuff and homes and friends and clothes and cars (well, not really cars, I’m not super into those?), but entirely too many times I’ve felt a twinge of less-than-perfect over here from my own grassy green yard.
And today, I fell into that grass-is-always-greener-space once again, over just the stupidest thing EVER. (FOR REAL.)
Our family stopped at lakeside park to eat take-out-lunch social-distance-style.
My bunch was hungry, and quickly found the closest picnic table near our car because,
well,
FOOD.
I watched them quietly, surveyed the park, and determined that another picnic table near the water (and farther away from our car), would clearly have been the better place for lunch.
(I couldn’t even imagine a single reason why we would settle for a boring picnic spot, when obviously the place by the water was such a happier plot?)
But it was the three-of-them against the one-of-me, so in that ugly spot we plopped.
I finished my lunch fast, raced to the water for a quick walk, and checked out those prettier spots where I just knew lunch would have tasted better from.
You are not going to even believe this.
The grass was not one bit greener or better over there. (I mean REALLY?)
It was still just, well . . . grass. And the trees near my grass-was-clearly-greener-spot weren’t even all that awesome.
(In fact, they were less shaded and my perfect little area was SERIOUSLY HOT.)
Meanwhile my girls found the shade of a cool tree and climbed on up near their plenty-geen-enough-grass spot.
They listened to the folks around them with a different dialect than our own, and tried to guess where they were from.
And just enjoyed their happy lunch.
Bloom where you’re planted, right?
Ooch.
Because I’ve lived with myself for maybe one-too-many-years, I know that it’s simply in my nature to look at something over there, and wish I had it over here. (I’m an enneagram three if you’re into that stuff, and think it might just be inherent to my DNA? If you’re not like that, please don’t judge me for this one ~ just being real honest with you over here from this side of the screen!)
There are amazing things that happen when you’re a grass-is-always-greener-girl.
You may hustle harder. You’ll be inspired to keep moving on days you oh-so-badly just want to quit. And you fight even harder, because deep deep down you just want to feel what that soft Kentucky-bluegrass-right-over-the-hill might feel like underneath your toes.
(So grass-is-always-greener-girls? Don’t completely knock you’re self quite yet . . . but do learn this secret from your greener-grass-friend over here.)
I have seen so so many sides of things. I’ve seen prosperity and financial ruin up close. I’ve seen a big house, and a tiny one too. I’ve seen meals on a rice-and-beans budget, and steak dinners every once in awhile. (Not too many steak dinners because I’m pretty much always against spending much on food, but even our family has had steak a time or two). I’ve seen 225-pounds and 142-pounds, and goodness, along the way I have learned so many things.
You know what?
It’s all hard.
Having a beautiful home is so sweet, but won’t take away someone with a bigger, better space. Being a size 8 feels amazing after seeing a size 24, but doesn’t magically make food an easy issue for you. And while having financial freedom is simply lovely, it doesn’t take away the sting of health issues, or slowly losing someone you love.
There are some things that simply can’t be fixed, and the hurt will still be there, no matter which grass you choose.
Right now, in this crazy-covid-season, it’ so stinkin’ easy to be a grass-is-always-greener-girl even more than usual I think.
EVERYthing feels BIG. Decisions. seem. HUGE. It all feels overwhelming, and with many of our normal diversions gone, the grass often looks even a wee bit brighter in everyone else’s yard than it did before.
But know that today, right where you are, is the most beautiful space for you, and your grass is simply lovely.
Choose to make the yummy meals for the same old people again.
Pick a few sprigs from your own yard, pop them in a glass jar, and savor them today.
Clear your countertops.
If you have to, get ready to take on homeschooling or virtual schooling or real-going-to-school-schooling or whatever you’re supposed to do today.
And decide to climb way-up-high in the tree blooming in your very own backyard, rather than dreaming of someone else’s green grass over there. Because that beautiful bluegrass might just not feel a single bit better than the yard you’re living in today.
Okay?
You and I have got this. I promise.
Goodness, I’m cheering for you, my greener-grass-BFF today!
Hugs,
Laurie
The post The Grass Is Always Greener Girl? This is just for you. appeared first on Passionate Penny Pincher.