Enter EMAIL ADDRESS to JOIN THE COMMUNITY and STAY UP-TO-DATE

Tuesday 18 February 2014

The Grass is Greener

Peering over the fence she exclaims There he goes again, mowing his lawn so early in the morning. He wastes so much time in his garden, and its not as if its going to look any different from how it did before!

What is it about us persistently obsessing over what others are doing on their side of the fence?
Weve heard it all before; be content and dont compare yourself to others, because the grass is not always greener on the other side contradicting the popular statement that says otherwise.
Yet in our human nature we try to measure ourselves up against others and constantly compare our lives and circumstances to theirs. We allow ourselves to feel somewhat inadequate and dissatisfied if we dont measure up to what we feel is the standard.

Theres an internal rush of wanting more and wanting to be more, which in itself is not a bad thing, nevertheless the drive can often leave one feeling overwhelmingly empty when left without what we think we need.

With the increased popularity of social media; especially Instagram, the layman now has easier access to peer into the lives of many "celebrities" who are living the life that they aspire to have.
It has also brought about a platform where everyone is now trying to keep up with the Joneses and portraying a life that they feel is what people want to see and not actually their reality [but enough on this topic, I will leave it for another time, lest we get sidetracked].

Coming from a completely different perspective, I will submit to you that often times the grass is actually greener on the other side.
Yes, you read right, that wasnt a typo. I repeat: the GRASS IS often GREENER!
Hear me out, before you totally switch off. Its greener than yours for a reason. That reason a lot of times requires sacrifice and willingness on our part that often times we simply are not willing to make.
I may look at another person and think they have it all made out for them (and rightly so they may), however, have I ever stopped to ask the question Am I willing to do what they did to get to where they are?
Have I got the resolve to see my vision through?...Ummm and theres the answer!

Mr. Jones gets up early to tend HIS garden, fertilize HIS plants and mow HIS lawn. He invests HIS time, effort, and even money into beautifying HIS garden and making the lawn thrive. Yet there YOU are, not willing to lift a finger let alone consider getting your hands dirty, and you have the nerve to peer over the fence in jealousy, which then leads to subtle discontentment with your own life.

Ultimately it all boils down to the choices we make. Good or bad there are always consequences or benefits. So lets choose wisely!
I think its time we stop peeking over the fence in envy and choose to do something about making our lawn look just as good if not better.
Is it creating healthier eating habits? Saving more money or just investing more time in the people that matter?...Then make the decision to act now, because what you sow is what you will reap. Period!

With that in mind, always remember to be grateful for what you have. Having a satisfaction in knowing that I may not be where I want to be, but I am still grateful for who I am, what I have become and where I am heading, brings about peace and quickens the process of reaching our desired goals.

Being grateful changes our perspectives on things and melts away envy, humbling us and bringing about an appreciation for the beauty in other gardens.

The grass may be greener on the other side, but you can do something about making sure that you are happy with how green yours is too. There really is no need to fall into the trap of what is now seen as prominent comparison.
Picture your grass how you know it ought to be, and then take the necessary steps to making it a reality. Sacrifice now to enjoy later, and see through that vision of a greener lawn!

Watch the accompanying Vlog below: