First looks: Is the grass greener?

“The grass always looks a little greener on the other side of the fence” This saying originates from back in 1917 when it was published in The Kansas Farmer newspaper, and it was focusing on how some people are never satisfied with what they have. 

When my youngest daughter was 10, she was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. This event dramatically changed how we lived from that point on. It was very hard for her to navigate what would appear to be from the outside a normal life, but for her it was a constant daily battle of managing her blood sugar / glucose levels with injections and other interventions. One of the interventions was eating jellybeans to increase blood sugar / glucose levels when she went low, so we always kept a stash of jellybeans for such times. Her siblings would bemoan the fact that their sister could have lots of jellybeans and they couldn’t. They didn’t really appreciate the importance of the jellybeans and how they helped their sister’s life. To them they were just yummy sweets.  

I’m sure at some point in life we have all looked at something or someone and thought we would like what they have or be who they are. Often these thoughts can be stimulated because we are dissatisfied with our own life, job, or partner. In fact, ‘Grass is Greener Syndrome’ is a real condition.

Natasha Adamo writes this about ‘Grass is Greener Syndrome’:

“Grass is Greener Syndrome is when someone believes what they currently have is no longer adequate, satisfying, ample, or enough. Because of this, doubt creeps in and the belief that “better is out there” is adopted and acted upon. This is generally followed by a complete lack of regard for the emotional casualties upon exit – whether that exit is physical or emotional…

Natasha continues with her definition by adding:

“The inability to emotionally and/or physically commit due to underlying and un-dealt with insecurities…
Grass Is Greener Syndrome is more about an absence of commitment than it will ever be about a lack of relational fulfilment”.

My 5 Learnings:

·       Be intentional about making fair comparisons with perceived attractive offerings

·       Sometimes others have nicer things because they are making greater sacrifices

·       Don’t assume that what looks better will be better

·       To be grateful for what I have and who I am

·       Always think carefully about my words and actions and what motivates them

There will be times the grass appears greener over the fence, so we should be intentional in our response. Will our actions benefit us and others? Will they add value to others and ourselves? Or are they a reaction to some other dissatisfaction in life?
Keep in mind also that “Sometimes the grass looks greener on the other side because it’s fake.”

My 3 Questions for you:

·       What mindset will you need to have to overcome insecurities you may have about your life?

·       Who can you talk to, so you don’t self-sabotage yourself with comparisons?

·       What and who could you be grateful for each day?

“Gratitude turns what we have into enough.”

– Anonymous.”

 If you have something you have learnt from this blog, or if there is something you have questions about, please talk to me. I would be happy to chat with you.

 Remember daily to, “Find value in your influence”