WHEN THE GRASS LOOKS GREENER ON THE OTHER SIDE

So, we've heard the line about the grass looking or being greener on the other side . . . . . many times.
I won't deny that it does, I can't count the number of times I've wished I was someone else, or had someone else's job or grades or some other thing like that. For years I even hoped I was adopted so my American parents would come for me (but after years of people mistaking me for my mum over and over again, I know better)


I would look at certain people and wish I was them, I remember when Riri and Chris Brown were dating, I so wanted to be her then, cos to me that was the fairytale life, they had it all.
Alas, pictures surfaced of Riri who had been beaten black and blue by Mr Chris Brown. Not so perfect now. I decided I didn't want to be her after all, at least no one had beaten me black and blue.



When comparing the greenness of our grass to that of others we leave out so many things. So many factors that would change our perception are hidden from us. And sometimes we simply choose not to see them.


Say, you have a colleague in the office who seems to have it better than you, always gets promoted before you, is indispensable to your boss, is loved by everyone in the office . . . . . . so you wish you had it as good. His grass is looking way greener.



You have a classmate who is at the top of the class, has the best grades and seems to just have it easy . . . ..  and there you are struggling with your 2.0 GP . So definitely the grass is looking greener over there.



You know a couple who appear to be the best couple in the world, they never seem to fight, they understand each other perfectly, know each other's mood, treat each other well and basically appear to live in harmony . . . .  Very green grass over there



You know someone who everyone just seems to love, always makes people smile, people find it easy to relate with this person, she is who you would have liked to be . . . . . .



Your friend's relationship is going so well, her boyfriend treats her like a queen, always pampers her, never raises his voice to her, always compliments her . . . . . . . .


You probably wont admit it, but you want to be that person and because you are not; chances are you begin to resent that person, that guy at the office is constantly getting on your nerves, you think to yourself "who knows what he does to get those promotions"  . . . . . and that classmate begins to irritate you and you say to yourself "I'm sure she does some shady stuff to get those grades" etc etc etc


Grass grows just about anywhere, from the rain forest to the desert! The only difference between them is simply the amount of nutrients it receives, you can't expect the grass in the desert to receive as much nutrients as that in the rain forest. The grass in the rain forest will surely look greener because it receives more nourishment from the rain.


Hope you've caught on to where I'm going with this.


Rather than allowing the green eyed monster called envy to take a hold of you and make you imagine the worst about those people, why don't you start the process of making your grass greener. I read somewhere that "no matter the side of the fence you are on, always carry a bucket of water with you and the grass will be green". If you aren't content with the quality of grass on the side you are on, then all you need to do is water it. To get a promotion you need to work a little bit harder, get to work on time, submit the report when due or before its due, be willing to go the extra mile. To get good grades, spend some more time in the library, find someone who knows the course better to explain it to you. To get people to like you, say hello, smile when you see them: no one likes a sourpuss, spend time with them, crack a joke. To get your relationship to work, be a better person, be ready to listen, don't always get angry. Give it a chance . . .


Someone also said "when your grass isn't green, don't buy a new house, water your lawn". Learn to make the best of where you are at. The solution is not always in getting a new job, or finding a new
boyfriend, its in taking the time and effort to maximise the possibilities already available to you.


Remember this, you can also have it greener, all you need is some more water. The grass isn't always greener on the other side, its only greener where you water it.