Random
Biscuits
This week was one of those weeks where I started with an idea and as I wrote it, it warped into something else. I kind of got lost in it. So, for your sanity (and mine), I decided that I’d just start over, and try to reign in my previous idea next week. With that being said, here’s my new version…
I’ve talked about judgement before. We’ve all done it, sometimes without even knowing it. We judge other people, and ourselves, on a number of things. This week, I’ve realized something about myself. I realized that I let other’s success, get in the way of my own. What do I mean by that? I mean, when I see someone else doing better than me, or with something I don’t have, I get jealous or discouraged. In an attempt to hide my jealousy, I’ll say something mean or try to put them down. (Not to their face, of course, usually just in my head. Not that that’s any better…) Logically, I know that this won’t help me at all, but it temporarily makes me feel better. There’s a song that I love by Kacey Musgraves called “Biscuits”. I had heard it several times, but last week was the first time I actually listened to the lyrics. She sings,
“Taking down your neighbor won’t take you any higher
I burned my own damn finger poking someone else’s fire
I’ve never gotten taller making someone else feel small
If you ain’t got nothing nice to say don’t say nothing at all.”
It was actually when I heard this that my previous idea veered off course. It was like another sign that this is the direction my post was supposed to take this week. I decided to run with it.
So, I know that I’m not the only one that behaves this way when feeling “threatened”. I lash out when I’m bitter. After this idea entered my mind, I started noticing it from other people. An example would be: When someone is trying to lose weight or get in shape, it’s pretty common to share the experiences on social media these days. So, you snap a picture of yourself flexing (If you follow me on Instagram, you know I’m guilty…#noguilt).
Someone may post a side by side of the difference between a few months, sometimes being more noticeable than others. This is where we do one of two things. We either think to ourselves, “WOW, that’s impressive!” OR “Pshhh they must be blind, I see NO change. They obviously don’t know what they’re doing…”) I’ll let you decide which of those reactions probably comes out of bitterness. Now, there is a chance that there is little to no change, but who the heck are you to point that out? If the person is feeling better, healthier, and happier, LEAVE THEM BE. There is no reason to throw up a picture of your transformation with a passive aggressive caption attached. Honestly, it kind of makes you look like a jerk (#nojudgement).
“Pourin’ salt in my sugar won’t make yours any sweeter
Pissin’ in my yard ain’t gonna make yours any greener
I wouldn’t know about the rocks in your shoes
So I’ll just do me and honey you can just do you”
Gahhh I just love this song! So what have we learned? We don’t need all that negativity in our lives. WHO CARES what someone is or isn’t doing? If it doesn’t affect us, we need not pay any attention to it. I’d bet that we’ve all done this at some point in time. When I see someone losing more weight or getting stronger than me, my first reaction is to make a snarky comment. Jealousy is an ugly little monster. There’s no reason for it. It only brings us down. When I see someone with a large blog following, I get upset. WHY? Their following has NOTHING to do with mine. Plus, I don’t know how much work they’ve put in or how long they’ve been doing it. I say to myself, “Maybe they’ve actually earned it, Erin. Quit being a jerk.” It doesn’t affect me. If I would spend less time directing negative energy to other people and more time feeding positive energy into bettering myself, how much better off would I be? PROBABLY A LOT. Someone else’s success (or failure) has nothing to do with yours, so why even give it the time of day? OH YEAH. DON’T.
“Mind your own biscuits and life will be gravy.”
Until next time…
Dave
May 10, 2015 at 4:24 pm
I just Love reading your posts, not just because your my favorite Daughter:-) but because what you write is so spot on”.” It’s human nature to be feel envious of the next guy when they have something you don’t. We all strive to have “things”, and I know you will achieve everything you want in life because of your dedication and passion with this blog and your certification. Your mom and I couldn’t be more proud of you!!
Chinups_and_Cupcakes
May 12, 2015 at 12:00 am
Well, I’m your only daughter, so I’d better be your favorite!. but then again, josh IS kind of girly 😉 Thanks!
Mike
May 10, 2015 at 5:17 pm
This was brilliant. I have been making my own progress and going at my own pace but find it hard to not judge myself or others based off of others progress. I needed to read that this week, and I’m sure I’ll need to read it in the future as well. 🙂
Chinups_and_Cupcakes
May 11, 2015 at 11:59 pm
Brilliant, eh?! I’ll take it! Keep up the good work!
Julie
May 11, 2015 at 10:16 pm
LOVE THIS! I am guilty of doing this all the time :/ but I know it’s only because I am jealous and frustrated with myself. But I am slowly working on it because you’re right we should be lifting each other up! Not saying stuff to bring others down because it makes us feel better. I shouldn’t let what others say and do in life affect my life and my happiness. Because God has a different path for everyone. I’m just gonna keep telling myself “Mind your own biscuits and life will be gravy.” Thanks for the awesome post Erin!
Chinups_and_Cupcakes
May 11, 2015 at 11:58 pm
Thanks Julie! We’ve all done it! I have to remind myself on a daily, sometimes hourly basis to stop comparing! The truth is, the more we focus on our own goals, the happier we’ll be. I’m glad you enjoyed it, thanks for reading 🙂