Please accept my apologies for the hiatus in my writing. I've taken some time to spend with my family and to greet our new grandchild. By the way, he's doing fantastically well. For a few weeks, I've avoided writing and social media, which reminded me that we're all in different stages of life. A recent situation reminded me of the cliché "keeping up with the Joneses," which is associated with our name.
Have you ever heard of the iceberg saying, "You can only see what's on the surface"? Sorry, but comparing yourself to today's Joneses is denying the pain, sweat, screams, begs, agony, joy, learning, progress, discipline, and perseverance you can see today. For the record, we are not ahead of anyone, but rather on the same path to our heavenly mother and father. Along the road, others aided and guided us. Today, we’re looking for others we might be able to help.
If you're curious about the situation that prompted the contemplation, someone recently visited our home and complimented us on the cleanliness and beauty we've produced. Terri and I were both eager to express our gratitude. They persisted in attempting to compare our home to their own. What they were describing was exactly how our house looked fifteen years ago. We've been in their shoes before.
We frequently make a comparison between our current life chapter and those of others. It's time for us to put an end to it.
Now, I'm not advocating that we become so self-absorbed and preoccupied with ourselves that we become "me-me-me-me" centered. Those who have gone before you can be your mentors or guides, provided you ask the correct questions to learn rather than compare. Those following you on the path are turning to you for guidance and assurance. This is a journey that we are all on. We all learn from each other, and we're not here to pass judgment on them or ourselves by comparing.
Let me conclude by saying that it is one thing if our current life chapter inspires you. However, if comparing consumes you, be aware that you may be missing the beauty in your own life.
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