Blog - Page 68 of 68 - Diana Derringer

Let Bygones Be Bygones

April 30, 2013 Diana Derringer Comments 8 comments

The past controls too many people.

They will not let bygones be bygones. Instead of letting the past be past, they spend all their time remembering.

Some remember great things they did but can no longer do.
Others wish for the simpler, easier life when they were younger.

Far too many think about all the wrongs done to them.

Their family or friends hurt them.
Their boss treated them unfairly.
They lost money.
They never had a chance to improve their lives.

Everything that happens affects us.

Many people do suffer unfairly. Others live with painful memories. Some allow anger to control their lives. They hurt others because they feel hurt.

Life’s not always fair. We must decide how to live with that fact.

Will we learn from the past but live in the present? Only then can we look forward to the future.

Let’s not allow the past to control us.

Let bygones be bygones.

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past” (Isaiah 43:18 NIV).

Do you have a favorite expression or one you want explained? If so, please comment.

Subscribe now and receive my weekly posts by email.

If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends.

Ride the fence reminds me of a favorite scene in the old movie, It’s a Wonderful Life. The main character, George, walks back and forth in front of Mary’s house, hitting the fence with a stick and mumbling. Mary leans her head out the window and asks, “Have you made up your mind?”

While physically hitting a fence, George was emotionally riding the fence. He hadn’t decided whether to visit Mary. He wasn’t sure what he wanted to do about his life goals.

George wanted to travel. Mary wanted a home in their small town. Mary wanted marriage. George did not. Others saw that George was falling in love with Mary. George denied those feelings.

We get nowhere if we physically sit on top of a fence. To move forward, we must climb down on one side or the other. The same is true of our emotions.

Like George, if we ride the fence, we will probably stay upset until we decide. We need to take time for good decisions. We have to emotionally get off the fence.

Have you made up your mind about the direction of your life? What receives most of your attention? What goals have you set? Do those goals match your beliefs?

Who, then, are those who fear the Lord? He will instruct them in the ways they should choose (Psalm 25:12 NIV).

Do you have an expression you want explained? If so, please comment.

Subscribe now and receive my weekly posts by email.

If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends.

A Chip Off the Old Block

April 16, 2013 Diana Derringer Comments 0 Comment

The tiniest wood chip contains the same basic makeup as the original block, simply smaller. Often people refer to a child as a chip off the old block. No one questions the child’s heritage. Similarities to the parent may include the way they walk, talk, gesture, and behave. Personalities of the parent and child often match one another as well.

We have little control over our physical appearance. We can use makeup, eat and sleep well, and exercise. A few people receive costly cosmetic surgery. Yet, many of our physical features are beyond our control.

Although a person’s nature reflects genetics, we choose whether to control our behavior in most circumstances. We decide who we mirror in our actions and attitudes.

Choose wisely.

“As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart” (Proverbs 27:19 NIV).

Something’s Fishy

April 10, 2013 Diana Derringer Comments 3 comments

Something's Fishy--fish No one likes to smell fish left in a hot car, on the beach, or in a trash can. They stink! Only people who cannot smell escape the fishy aroma.

Getting rid of that odor is almost impossible. We rub. We spray. We open doors and windows. We do everything we know to do, but the smell remains.

In much the same way, we sometimes face situations that don’t seem right. We may not know why, but the negative feeling won’t go away.

A friend asks us to join an activity that makes us feel uneasy.
Someone offers an opportunity that sounds too good to be true.
We sense danger but can’t see why.

Those fishy situations disturb us for a reason. By trusting our instincts, we may avoid many future problems.

Flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness (1 Timothy 6:11 NIV).

Don’t Bite Off More Than You Can Chew

April 9, 2013 Diana Derringer Comments 4 comments

Have you ever been so hungry you could eat almost anything? Or have you cooked a favorite meal and couldn’t wait to taste it? Be careful! If you take too big a bite, you can’t chew it. You try, but nothing works.

The problem then is how to get it out of your mouth. You want to be polite. You don’t want to make anyone sick. You hope nobody sees what you’re doing. Then you ask yourself, “Why did I have to act like a pig?”

In our work, our homes, and at play, we can also try to do too much. No one has the ability, time, or energy to do everything. Yet, some people have a hard time saying no to an extra task. As with food, they bite off more than they can chew. Because they try to do everything, they can’t enjoy anything.

When we eat, let’s take small bites and enjoy each one. In our activities, let’s also accept our limits. If we choose our tasks wisely, each one becomes easier. The chance for success grows stronger.

“I see the limits to everything human, but the horizons can’t contain your commands!” (Psalm 119:96 The Message)

First Things First

April 8, 2013 Diana Derringer Comments 5 comments

Welcome to my first blog post. As explained on the home page, I want to help people with a non-English background understand some of our unusual English expressions. Those born into an English speaking family should also enjoy reading about our crazy language.

The expression first things first seems like a good place to start. It reminds us to begin with what’s most important. We have our first birthday before our second. We put on our socks before our shoes. We turn on our phones before we try to call. We study before we take a test. Oops! We don’t always do that last one, do we? If we want good grades, we do.

Too often we focus on what doesn’t really matter. We watch television instead of studying. We buy things we don’t need instead of giving to someone in need. We text in a car instead of watching where we drive.

Let’s do what’s most important first. Let’s put people before things. Let’s put safety before play.

Have a good time with the words and wit in this blog. Above all, seek wisdom from these funny phrases.

I hope I didn’t bite off more than I can chew. I will explain that expression in my next post.

“Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding” (Proverbs 3:13 NIV).

Diana Derringer