So much time invested in the lives of people we don’t know.
Endlessly observing aspects of their life they choose to share, while we could be actively and purposefully living our own.
We see what they want us to see. Successful diet. Successful fitness. Successful career. Successful marriage. Successful kids. Successful relationships.
Successful life.
We aren’t stupid. (Or at least I like to entertain the notion I’m not.)
We realize we don’t know them. Not really.
We don’t know at what point in their life we have entered.
We don’t know their whole story.
It’s not that there’s anything wrong with following the journey of others or sharing our own; some can be quite inspiring.
But, we need to practice discernment when we do so.
It’s kinda a lot like having a relationship with a real people in real life. In other words, it’s probably a good idea to know who you are dealing with before allowing their influence into your life.
But relationships take time. And we are living in a world where patience can be difficult to come by. We want everything now. We want to share everything now.
It seems to me, what we are lacking is gray haired (or at least gray at the roots), wrinkly skinned, age spotted influencers.
You know, people who have been around the sun a few times.
People who have experienced life and taken time for reflection.
We sometimes forget that wisdom and knowledge are not the same.
When we are in the midst of something, it’s difficult to see clearly. We lack big picture perspective.
Wisdom gives you the ability to cope in life and to steer through and master its challenges.
Wisdom is knowing the right thing to do at the right time in the right way.
Wisdom is your ability to have insight into people, and it’s the way you interact with others (teach), and it’s how you respond.
Easier said than done, I know.
And for those wondering if I have been staying true to my one word (write) for 2023 by writing a haiku a day…
You betcha. Haiku game going strong.
Not all have been inspired:
It’s mid-afternoon: sleepiness hits and I need a cup of hot tea. Vodka, cointreau, lime juice, elderflower liqueur, and cranberry juice. Is there anything more disappointing than an unrisen bread loaf? I am not sure why anyone would choose to live way out in the sticks. There are days I feel I could run forever, but today was not one.
But some have:
We pursue thinness like it signifies something of great importance. Anxious thoughts fill my mind; I toss and turn praying God will grant me peace. Here I am, at age 55 still caring what people think of me. Sometimes it’s hard to accept others are doing the best that they can. People watch the way you act more than they listen to the words you say. We desire to be different, yet fail to respect others' differences.
Karen Hovie Writes 