Where the Grass is Greener

Now, I must unfortunately begin this post by commenting that I think "the grass is always greener on the other side" is a silly phrase. That is to say, the state of greenness of a certain patch of grass does not change. It is in fact a scientific measurement of the wavelength of light that is reflected from the surface. Therefore, if it the grass is not seems, but is greener on the other side, then you should go over there and be done with it. The grass will not change on the spot, and the other side will no longer be more green. Now, I will move on from this technicality and get more to the point.

For all that the literal meaning of the saying is worthless (in my opinion), the figurative meaning behind it is remarkably accurate and applicable to nearly everything. In the last few weeks I've begun to do a fair amount of reflection. I've titled this process a game, that I call "Where I was a Year Ago Today". I don't think it will be as much fun next year because I will have been, well, here. Conversely, last year, I was...everywhere (see other blog for details). But, my reflection has pertained to more than just my trip. The months preceding the trip I was living in Illinois with one of my best friends. It was a LOT of fun. I golfed, played magic, played frisbee, cooked good food, saw friends. It was a lot of fun. But I didn't do anything.

A desire for free time is I think a craving many, if not most, people experience. However, there are few things worse than having free time, when it isn't by choice. It was a long process to find a job, and the time in between, while it may have started out pleasurable, soon became quite a drag. So, when day after day I found myself wishing for a job, I thought, "the grass is so much greener over there". However, I have since been fortunate enough to become employed, and I enjoy my job quite a lot. However, there come the days and the times when I feel like I have been working non-stop, day after day after day. It would be a lie to say I never thought, "the grass was so much greener back then..."

The truth of the matter is, I don't wish to be back in the shoes I was in before. Sure, free time to do whatever is nice, but it isn't what I wanted with my life. So, this is all I intended for the meaningful aspects of this line of thinking. As for some more random thoughts, since that's why we're here isn't it?

Has anyone tried to play a sport on a hot summer day, and felt like dying? Gone back inside and thought "I wish it were winter! The chill, the snow, etc..." Ah, yes... that's another case of the grass being greener! Well... sort of. With all that cold and snow, it's likely that the grass would die and become brown... which leads to our feelings in winter. When you become tired of the short days, long nights, frigid air and no snow as the freezing rain washes it all away. Then, there are few thoughts to keep other than "the grass is brown here and now! Of course its greener on the other side!"

I sometimes wonder if this saying is why I'm so bad at being decisive. I can always think of something to do, but fear committing to it. Why? Because the grass might be greener if I don't... I'm not saying this is a good philosophy... in fact, I'm more inclined to think its a poor one. But, I'll make do with what I have. After all, where I am, the grass is greenest! :)