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Category: Self-Improvement

In One Ear and Out the Other

In One Ear and Out the Other

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In One Ear and Out the Other--three horses, only one looking and listeningMany people wonder if anyone hears what they say. Their words seem to go in one ear and out the other.

  • Children ignore or forget what parents say.
  • Students fail to remember or do what teachers say.
  • Husbands or wives declare they did not hear their spouse’s words.
  • Pets pay no attention.

Those to whom they speak:

  • Hear noise
  • May hear words
  • Fail to hear the message

In one ear and out the other means people do not hear or quickly forget what another person says.

It often implies they do not listen or pay attention.

Occasionally it refers to selective hearing — hearing what they want to hear and ignoring the rest. Other times, people pay no attention to anyone whose beliefs differ from theirs.

Too many distractions cause many messages to go in one ear and out the other.

Distractions result from:

  • Multi-tasking — trying to do too much at the same time
  • Focusing on phones, television, books, or other interests rather than the person talking

People usually hear and remember if they stay all ears.

They focus totally on the person talking. They listen with their eyes  as well as their ears. That kind of attention shows respect for the speaker and the speaker’s message — a good plan for anyone.

“Ears that hear and eyes that see—the Lord has made them both” (Proverbs 20:12 NIV).

Thanks to Emily Akin for the suggestion and to Mary Lou Rafferty for the photo.

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If It Ain’t Broke, Don’t Fix It

If It Ain’t Broke, Don’t Fix It

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If It Ain't Broke, Don't Fix It-old house and overgrown rail fenceHave you noticed how often we change our lives? We try to improve ourselves, other people, or our possessions. A desire to improve can be a wonderful idea. However, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. (I apologize for the poor grammar, but that is the way we say it.)

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it tells us to leave things alone if they work well.

A word to the wise: Why cause problems if we have no need to change?

Small children who take things apart often fail to put them back together. The same happens with adults. (Ask me about my one and only effort at plumbing.) When we try to fix something not broken, we may never get it to work again.

We often try to fix our lives with the newest, best, and most expensive of everything.

  • Cellphones
  • Laptops
  • Televisions
  • Cars
  • Houses
  • Clothes
  • Shoes
  • Appliances

And the list keeps growing.

We give away, sell, or throw away perfectly good items to buy similar items to take their place.

As a result:

  • We stay in debt.
  • Landfills grow larger with all our trash.
  • We never find satisfaction with who we are or what we have.

Fix what needs to be fixed, but don’t try to correct a problem that does not exist.

We do well when we learn to live well whatever our circumstances. Certainly, we want to:

  • Take care of our health
  • Improve our lives and the lives of others
  • Make our world safer
  • Stand firm for what is right

Yet, we don’t want to:

  • Tear down progress already made
  • Hurt others
  • Destroy our world
  • Compromise what is morally right

When we try to fix what ain’t broken, we get everything out of whack. Instead let’s live in such a way that we and those around us have reason to burst for joy.

“Correct and rebuke your people when they need it, encourage them to do right, and all the time be feeding them patiently with God’s Word” (2 Timothy 4:2 TLB).

Thanks to Charles Smithers for the suggestion.

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Through the Wringer

Through the Wringer

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Through the Wringer--old fashioned wringerAfter I told a friend of recent family health problems, she said, “Oh, my goodness, Diana. You have sure been through the wringer.” Life has certainly felt that way.

This summer:

  • My husband spent three weeks in two hospitals.
  • I had an emergency appendectomy three days after he came home.
  • My husband had out-patient surgery a month later.

We have spent most of the past three months with health care providers.

However, people we know (and don’t know) have suffered much worse. They have been through the wringer in ways we cannot imagine.

Through the wringer (or through the ringer) means a difficult or unpleasant experience.

Years ago, my mother used a wringer washer. Water did not spin out of the washer. It was squeezed out. We did not want delicate clothes to go through the wringer. It could ruin them.  Neither did we want our fingers in the wringer. That damage could be far more difficult.

Difficult experiences may result from bad treatment from others.

People may:

  • Gossip about us
  • Scold us
  • Punish us

Difficult experiences may also result from life circumstances.

Our situation this summer fits that description.

We all suffer hard times. That’s life. Yet, we know these experiences will not last forever. Rather than wring our hands in worry, we recall past good times or look forward to better days. We expect everything to come out in the wash.

We can also look to the God of all creation who promises believers:

  • Peace in the midst of storms
  • Eternal life in heaven with no more pain or problems

With God’s love and care, we keep on keeping on.

“When I am in distress, I call to you, because you answer me” (Psalm 86:7 NIV).

Thanks to Tracy Crump for the suggestion. Photo courtesy of dagrimshaw from Pixabay.

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In a Jiffy

In a Jiffy

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In a Jiffy-Busy Vancouver, Gas Town street“Stay right there. I’ll be back in a jiffy.” I wonder how many parents have said that to a child. Or how many spouses have said that to one another. They don’t want the person to move. They will return quickly

In a jiffy means in a short amount of time.

 Closely related to immediately, if not sooner, in a jiffy can refer to:

  • The speed of a person’s work (“I will finish this in a jiffy.”)
  • How long a person will be gone (“I will return in a jiffy.”)
  • The promise of good service (“Your waiter will be with you in a jiffy.)
  • No delay of any kind

In today’s world of instant gratification, people expect almost everything in a jiffy.

No one wants to wait. Patience remains in short supply.

However, much in life is better with time.

  • Fresh fruit and vegetables need time to ripen.
  • People need time to learn.
  • Research requires time for accuracy.

In these and other instances, haste makes waste.

Speed is often necessary. However, rather than rush, people usually do well to take one step at a time.

“If we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently” (Romans 8:25 NIV).

Thanks to Liz Gray for the suggestion.

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A Hill of Beans

A Hill of Beans

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A Hill of Beans-stick beans in a gardenMy grandmother often said, “That doesn’t amount to a hill of beans.” In other words, it is not worth much.

A hill of beans means something has little value.

It is not important – a dime a dozen.

Beans are fairly common and grow easily. If we don’t grow them, we can find them on most grocery shelves. They cost little. Therefore, a hill of beans is worth little. If we don’t like beans, they are worth nothing.

Several items are not worth a hill of beans:

  • Outdated coupons
  • Broken tools
  • Electronics no one uses

Most things don’t amount to a hill of beans. All people do.

As long as we have what we need to survive, possessions matter little. Plus, we can’t take them with us.

Rather than focus on the things we own, let’s aim to treat others well.

  • Show the respect we desire.
  • Love others as God loves.
  • Encourage everyone to be their best.

“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves” (Romans 12:10 NIV).

Thanks to Darrin Jenkins for the suggestion and to Jewell Wade for the photo.

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Let Sleeping Dogs Lie

Let Sleeping Dogs Lie

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Let Sleeping Dogs Lie--dog curled up in sleepLike several animals (and a few people) dogs can be dangerous when suddenly wakened. Therefore, we usually let sleeping dogs lie. We leave them alone to sleep in peace.

In daily life, we often choose to let sleeping dogs lie.

Instead of causing trouble, we avoid it. We don’t want to make a bad situation worse. If all is well and no one will benefit, why hurt anyone? We leave good enough alone.

Many words or actions only cause problems. Therefore,

Most situations are none of our business. Gossip and interference make us busybodies and do no one any good

However, at times we need to speak or act.

We must take a stand when necessary to:

  • Make a bad situation better
  • Help someone who hurts

Stay out of the doghouse. Unless actions will help, let sleeping dogs lie.

“It is to one’s honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel” (Proverbs 20:3 NIV).

Thanks to Brad Leverett for the suggestion. Photo courtesy of Pixabay.

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Cold Feet

Cold Feet

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Cold Feet: Six uncovered feet at the foot of a bedMany of us live with cold feet. We don’t need winter, snow, or freezing rain. Our feet stay cold any time of year in any kind of weather.

However, cold feet means more than the temperature of our toes.

Cold feet freeze our plans or desires.

Cold feet refers to fear of doing something.

We lose our nerve. We get:

  • Discouraged
  • Shy
  • Anxious

Enthusiasm disappears. Cowardice replaces confidence. We wring our hands, afraid to do what we want to do.

A little fear can be a good thing.

It helps us:

  • Focus
  • Try harder
  • Avoid mistakes

Yet, cold feet paralyze us. They stop us in our tracks.

Faith overcomes fear.

Like socks or blankets warm our feet, faith covers us with courage.

We find support for our faith in:

  • The Bible and prayer for God’s strength (a perfect plan for every day)
  • Practice of what scares us (get our feet wet)
  • Encouragement from others (give it as well as receive it)

We choose. Will we freeze in fear or step forward in faith wherever God leads?

“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged” (Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV).

Thanks to Margaret Bertram for the suggestion. Photo courtesy of Unsplash.

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Up One Side and Down the Other

Up One Side and Down the Other

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Up One Side and Down the Other--Theodore Roosevelt National ParkMany of us enjoy exploring our world up one side and down the other. We want to go everywhere and see everything. We stay ready to hit the trail, whether we go off the beaten path or somewhere well known.

Up one side and down the other means we do something thoroughly.

We go to extremes, such as when we:

  • Travel to as many places as possible.
  • Fuss without mercy when someone upsets us.
  • Look everywhere for items we lose.

We want to be thorough, but we don’t want to waste time.

A few activities are worth extra effort. Others keep us from more important matters.

  • Enjoy travel, but don’t neglect home.
  • Confront problems but deal with them and move on.
  • Keep items where they need to go, so searching up one side and down the other remains unnecessary.

“Praise the Lord, all his works everywhere in his dominion” (Psalm 103:22 NIV).

Thanks to Glenda Britton for the suggestion.

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Gild the Lily

Gild the Lily

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Gild the Lily--white lily bloomMy friend Pam recently made chocolate chip pancakes. In addition to chocolate chips inside the pancakes, she sprinkled extra on top. Her husband asked why. Pam said, “I guess I’m just gilding the lily.” She was trying to make a good pancake better.

To gild the lily is to try to improve something that is already great.

A lily is a beautiful flower. It needs nothing more.

Likewise, much in life holds great beauty. Yet, people frequently gild the lily by:

  • Covering a beautiful face with too much makeup
  • Adding too much jewelry to a lovely outfit
  • Using fancy words when simple ones work well
  • Living high on the hog rather than down to earth

Too much of anything can make a good thing bad.

Many additions are unnecessary. Some cause damage.

  • A compliment sounds pleasing. Flattery does not.
  • Apologies and forgiveness restore a relationship. Unnecessary apologies may weaken it.

Improve what needs to be improved, but leave excellence alone.

“Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these” (Luke 12:27 NIV).

Thanks to Pam Tennant and Kristy Robinson Horine for the suggestion.

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Elbow Grease

Elbow Grease

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Cleaning takes a lot of elbow grease. A good job requires hard labor that makes us sweat.

Elbow Grease--cleaning toolsWhen we use elbow grease, we work hard.

With house cleaning, we must:

  • Scrub every part of the house
  • Move furniture and other heavy objects
  • Get rid of loose and ground-in dirt

I decided a long time ago that housework is hazardous to our health. Yet, it must be done.

Other jobs that require elbow grease include:

Elbow grease often involves work with our arms.

Constant motion with our elbows, can result in injury. Several years ago, I sealed our deck with a brush. That job resulted in tendonitis that still gives me occasional problems. (It also gives me a good excuse to put off work like washing windows.)

Hard mental work also leaves us exhausted.

Mental work may not require elbow grease. Yet, it often tires us more than physical labor. After a full day of using our brains, a few minutes of physical activity feels good.

Whatever work we do, let’s give it our best. However, let’s not overdo.

God gave us one day a week to rest from our work and to worship.

What a wonderful way to prepare for the week ahead.

“The seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work” (Exodus 20:10 NIV).

How do you use elbow grease? Please comment below.

Thanks to Sue Davis Potts for the suggestion.

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