Better Late

 

As I sit here at 11:28 pm realizing that I have forgotten to write my post for today, I can’t help but think of the old adage, “Better late than never.”

Phrasemix describes this one as, It’s best to do something on time. But if you can’t do it on time, do it late.”

Now I must admit this blog post would probably be better if I had started it earlier in the day. However, I kind of find it fitting that I’m posting it so late in the day. 

At one point I considered just waiting until tomorrow, but I reallly didn’t want to break the chain of posting daily this month. 

So the next time you are considering either giving up or blowing something off, remember this adage and just do it. 

When the Tough Get Going

“When the going gets tough, the tough get going,” means according to Phrasemix “Strong people don’t give up when they come across challenges. They just work harder.”

As I think about this adage I have mixed opinions. On the one hand I admire our ancestors who made it through difficult times through the toughness of their actions made possible through grit, and tenacity. 

This past year I read a fascinating book by author Kristin Hannah about the dust bowl entitled The Four Winds. I had read The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck years ago, but had shelved this time period in history on a back shelf o my brain. 

It was unbelievable what families experienced in the Panhandle of Texas during the 1940’s. The erosion of soil, due to improper rotation of crops, led to devastation as the farmers literally now lived in a dust bowl. The heroine of the story travels to California with her family in search of “ the land of milk and honey.” 

Nothing could have been further from the truth. And yet her toughness shows through as she manages to provide for her family without the help of her husband who has abandoned her. 

As I think about the comfortable life that we have all become accustomed to it makes me realize why we as a people don’t seem to handle adversity like we once were able to. We are quick to give up.

However, my conflict comes from my Christian faith where I have learned to lean on and trust my Lord, Jesus Christ in all things. During a particularly stressful time in my life I learned to give up my need for control and to put it in the hands of God. He is my shepherd and I am his sheep. 

If toughness was needed my strength came not from my own self, but from Him. More times than not He would send just the perfect person into my path to help me get through the next step.

In teaching our children about toughness, which is something I believe we need to do, we need also to teach them to take on the yoke of our Lord and let Him carry our weight.

The verse that has seen me through is “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. Acknowledge him in all ways and He will make straight your paths.”

Proverbs 3:5

Don’t Judge

“You can’t judge a book by its cover,” according to Phrasemix means “Things sometimes look different than they really are.”

I’m very guilty of judging books and people by their covers. Often as I’m pursuing the shelves at the bookstore I’m drawn to certain style of books. Not only do I love a wonderful story, I naturally gravitate to a beautiful book. In doing so I might be overlooking a truly wonderful book. 

I’m kind of the same way with people. Now on the one hand it sounds quite “horrible” to be judging others by their outward appearances. However, on the other hand I truly believe that we have a built in (from our caveman ancestors) radar that alerts us to possible danger. 

When we have that uncomfortable feeling, we need to listen to our gut, and access the situation for possible dangers. 

That being said, blindly jumping to a conclusion about someone based on their “cover” or circumstances is not right either. Reaching out to others who don’t look like you, or who different from you can be extremely rewarding. 

Now this doesn’t mean you have to change your world view, but it might help you to understand why someone’s else thinks the way they do. 

Helping to guide our children in this venture, from both perspectives is a life skill truly worth teaching. 

The Early Bird

Phrasemix defines “The early bird catches the worm,” as “You should wake up and start work early if you want to succeed.”

This morning I woke up early and headed off to a church rummage sale. I knew if I didn’t get there early I’d be taking the chance on not having much to choose from. As I unlocked the gate I thought about what adage I would write about today, and knew “the early bird catching the worm” would be perfect. 

I was one of the first customer’s in the parking lot and by the time I left the lot was packed. As I made my way around the tables in the gym I heard another woman commenting about, “The early bird gets the worm.”

I was validated in my choice of today’s adage and in the decision to do a series on these well-known sayings. In her choice of words we all knew exactly what she was talking about. 

It had nothing to do with actual birds or worms, but rather the idea that those who make the effort to rise early and seize the day will in the long run probably be successful.

Once again the idea of discipline comes into play. What could you accomplish if you got there a little bit earlier?

(By the way I found several treasures on my hunt.)

A Penny Saved

 

According to Phrasemix, “A penny saved is a penny earned,” means “Save your money. Saving money is just like making money. 

This adage is attributed to Ben Franklin, along with his words of wisdom, “ Early to bed, early to rise.” Ben knew a thing or two about how small can really add up over time. 

Being careful with what you have been given, no matter how insignificant it might seem at the time, can certainly work to your benefit.

My husband started saving $20.00 a week years ago, and in just five short weeks he would have saved $100.00. He has used this money to spend on things that he wanted or needed that he did not want to spend family money on. 

I remember saving up my babysitting money as a young teenager until I had saved twenty dollars. Now mind you back in the early seventies babysitters made only fifty cents an hour. 

It was this discipline of saving that helped me save money to help pay for college. Each week during the summer when I worked I would allow myself $10.00 for the week. The rest of my somewhat small paycheck would be faithfully deposited in my bank account. I was able to help contribute to my education which I’m sure my parents appreciated. 

So don’t think that a penny here, and a penny there can’t result in growing future wealth. Saving that penny helps to add to your net worth, and overtime you might be surprised how much you have accumulated.

Teaching our children to be responsible with money from a young age is something all parents should take seriously.

Two Wrongs

 

Phrasemix explains, “Two wrongs don’t make a right” as “When someone has done something bad to you, trying to get revenge will only make things worse.”

For me this lesson rang true more in my childhood. It seemed only fitting to try to right one wrong with another in my childish mind. Why it only seemed fair. ( We’ll save “fair” for another time.)

Wanting to strike back when you have been hurt is not such an unreasonable reaction. However, in teaching our children about things like “turning the other cheek” it’s important to really think through the consequences of our actions or should I say reactions. 

Although, it may bring a moment of satisfaction to a bad situation, in the long run is it really the right thing to do?

Just because someone else is behaving badly shouldn’t give us permission to return in kind. Being the bigger person in the long run will help to build character in our young children.

As St. Francis encouraged we should “seek to understand.” In doing so we are empowering ourselves to respond more with compassion for someone who might be going through a difficult time.

So if your first response is to react in a negative fashion, remind yourself that you doing something wrong in return will not erase the first wrong action. Sadly, it will probably make things even worse. 

This is a life lesson that needs to be taught at a young age, and reinforced throughout our adult years. 

Don’t Count Your Chickens

According to Phrasemix the old adage, “Don’t count your chickens until they hatch,” means “Your plans might not work out, so don’t start thinking about what you’ll do next after you succeed. Wait until you’ve already succeeded, and then you can think about what to do next.”

I think for me this lesson came into play my eight grade year when I tried out for cheerleader. Based on my skills I was able to make twenty finalist so in my mind I was halfway there. Except that the final competition was based on popular vote. 

As I looked at my nineteen competitors, the chances of me getting chosen became less and less. Although, I believed that my classmates liked me, I knew in my heart that there were at least eight girls who were more popular than me. 

I remember the day of tryouts getting my hopes up when people confided that they had voted for me. I could almost see my future ninth grade year in all its glory. I was beginning to count my chickens, and even “getting my ducks in a row” as I imagined life as a popular girl. 

However, that afternoon when we were called down to the auditorium to learn the results I couldn’t help but notice that the first row of girls was filled with the eventual winners, and I and my second row friends left empty handed that day. 

Teaching our children to be prepared for differing outcomes can help them to handle the inevitable disappointments in life. Of course, we don’t want to use the phrase to discourage them either. 

It’s just that, although we may have a dozen eggs, that is no guarantee that we will have an equal number of chickens when they are hatched. Life kind of works that way, too. 

What are your thoughts, and are you a chicken counter?