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Category: Wisdom

Butterflies in My Stomach

Butterflies in My Stomach

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Butterflies in My Stomach--butterfly on flowerI love butterflies, don’t you? I watch for them in gardens, yards, and on walks. Their colors and the way they flutter through the air thrill me. A butterfly makes any day better. However, I don’t love butterflies in my stomach.

Butterflies in my stomach mean I feel nervous.

Finding butterflies brings joy. Feeling them in my stomach … not so much.

Common causes for butterflies in my stomach include:

  • Public speaking
  • Job interviews
  • Singing or acting in public
  • Tests

Feeling a little nervous can be a good thing.

It makes me:

  • Prepare better
  • Try harder
  • Do my best

Feeling too nervous hurts my health.

It causes me to tie myself in knots, I suffer physically, mentally, and emotionally.

When butterflies flutter too long or hard, I remind myself not to sweat it. If I shake off the stress and give God control, God leads me through every challenge.

Thanks to Darrin Jenkins for the suggestion and the picture.

What causes butterflies in your stomach? Please comment .

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Stuck Up

Stuck Up

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Stuck Up--Squirrel on top of bird feederI caught this little squirrel where he should not be, doing what he should not do. The feeder was for birds, not squirrels. Yet, there he sat, stuck up and daring me to do anything about it.

Squirrels apparently believe rules about bird feeders don’t apply to them. They ignore such restrictions. They focus on what they want and do whatever it takes to get it:

  • Climb poles
  • Hang from limbs
  • Turn upside down

If it benefits them, who cares about the birds?

Many people exhibit a similar attitude.

Stuck up people feel proud or superior.

They:

  • Have a big head
  • Look down on others
  • Feel overconfident
  • Act conceited

Stuck up people’s egos rule their actions.

 Because they believe they are better than anyone else, they:

  • Use people to get what they want
  • Mistreat people
  • Work only to benefit themselves

Hardly anyone likes such rude, highfalutin ways.

Stuck up people’s behavior often leads to trouble.

Many get caught where they should not be, doing what they should not do.

All people have worth.

No one is more or less important than anyone else. No one has any good reason to act arrogant –  too big for their britches.

God offers a better way.

  • Love one another.
  • Respect one another.
  • Care for one another, regardless of status.

“Don’t be stuck-up and think you’re better than everyone else” (Proverbs 30:13 MSG).

Thanks to Betty C. Johnson for the suggestion and to Jenny Kuo for the photo.

Do you have an expression you want explained or a thought about this one? If so, please comment below.

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Like a Broken Record

Like a Broken Record

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Like a broken record--an open record playerFor young people unfamiliar with vintage audio, saying someone sounds like a broken record fails to compute. Many can’t relate to a record player needle landing on a scratched vinyl record—a sound definitely not music to our ears.

  • The needle gets stuck in a record groove.
  • The same line plays over and over again.
  • We must manually correct our broken record before the music proceeds.

How like those records we sound when we constantly beg for something. We may rephrase our requests, but the sound comes out the same — nag, nag, nag. I want it. I want it. I want it. Did you hear me? I want it!

We may receive our request, just so we will shut up and go away. Granted, the squeaky wheel gets the oil. Yet we also know that most people try to avoid that squeaky wheel.

Many of us could benefit from a little assertiveness training. We don’t want to sit back, never sharing our needs.  At the same time, we don’t want to annoy people until we drive them away.

Speak well. Speak clearly. Know when to stop repeating.

“Much dreaming and many words are meaningless. Therefore fear God” (Ecclesiastes 5:7 NIV).

Thanks to Karen Hart for the suggestion.

Do you have an expression you want explained or a thought about this one? If so, please comment below.

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Katy Bar the Door

Katy Bar the Door

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Katy Bar the Door: old double doors with bar across themGet ready. Beware. Katy bar the door.

My dad often used this expression if he expected trouble, such as:

  • Bad weather
  • Economic problems
  • Political unrest
  • Broken relationships

Katy (or Katie) bar the door warns of danger ahead.

A common southern expression, it tells people to be careful. They need to watch their step and prepare for hard times ahead.

If people expect someone to try to break in their house, they lock (or bar) their door. They take necessary precautions.

The origin of Katy bar the door is uncertain.

 According to The Phrase Finder, possibilities include:

  • A Scottish folk song, “Get Up and Bar the Door”
  • The attempt of Catherine Douglas to save the Scottish King James I

Whatever the origin, use caution when facing danger. 

Better safe than sorry. Take the right steps to protect against possible threats.

“The clever see danger and hide; but the simple go on, and suffer for it” (Proverbs 27:12 NRSV).

Thanks to Brad Leverett for the suggestion. Image by József Kincse from Pixabay.

Do you have an expression you want explained or a thought about this one? If so, please comment below.

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Once in a Blue Moon

Once in a Blue Moon

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Once in a Blue Moon: Full moon shining in a blue landscapeHousework must be done often. Otherwise, the house becomes a mess. However, many of us have chores we hate. We only do those chores once in a blue moon. We put them off as long as possible.

Once in a blue moon means rarely.

Something seldom occurs. It does happen, but not often. Examples include:

  • Family reunions
  • Pay raises
  • New houses

A blue moon is usually defined as the second full moon in a calendar month.

That happens about once every three years. The Phrase Finder offers an interesting explanation of the mistake behind that definition.

We can enjoy blue moons even though:

  • The definition may have begun as an error.
  • A blue moon is not blue.

Enjoy blue moons when they occur. Let them remind you to rise and shine. Make the most of every day, whether rare or routine.

[The Lord] made the moon to mark the seasons, and the sun knows when to go down (Psalm 104:19 NIV).

Thanks to Karen Atwood and Brad Leverett for the suggestion. Image by kien virak from Pixabay.

Do you have an expression you want explained or a thought about this one? If so, please comment below.

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Can’t Hear Myself Think

Can’t Hear Myself Think

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Can't Hear Myself Think--stream of water in a wooded areaSometimes life gets so loud I can’t hear myself think.

Too much noise makes concentration difficult.

Phones ring and ding. Traffic buzzes and beeps. Timers chime. Alarms sound. Emergency alerts test. Televisions and radios blare.  Dogs bark. People talk, laugh, and cry.

When the noise becomes too great, I try to get away. Although I prefer to walk, any exercise helps.

Inner noise also makes it hard to think.

My brain gets overloaded with:

  • Chores to do
  • Bills to pay
  • People to contact
  • Problems to solve
  • Paperwork to complete

When I can’t hear myself think, my mind needs a rest.

Although exercise gives some relief, my greatest help comes through time alone with God in prayer. If I remember to be still, God soothes my soul. When I can’t hear myself think, such moments of silence are golden – priceless treasures of time.

“Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10 NIV).

Can you identify? What helps you quieten the noise? Please comment.

Thanks to Janna Babak for the suggestion.

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The Squeaky Wheel Gets the Oil

The Squeaky Wheel Gets the Oil

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The Squeaky Wheel Gets the Oil--old cart and carriagesOld wagons, carts, and carriages remind us that the squeaky wheel gets the oil (or grease). Their rides equal hours of fun — if the wheels work well.

However, when a wheel starts to squeak, it stands out from the others. It differs, but not in a good way. It:

  • Irritates
  • Angers
  • Makes us wish it would stop

A squeaky wheel demands attention.

No one likes that constant noise. It gets on our nerves, so we give it the attention it demands. We oil (or grease) it.

The person who complains the loudest and longest also gets the most attention.

Yet, choose carefully when to squeak and when to stay quiet.

Several situations compel us to speak up.

We should voice our concerns about:

  • Abuse or neglect
  • Serious consumer complaints
  • Obvious needs we can help

Yet, noise about everything all the time makes people avoid us.

Remember, silence can be golden. If we constantly fly off the handle, we harm ourselves as well as others.

A word to the wise: Speak up when we should make noise. Shut up when we need peace and quiet.

“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute” (Proverbs 31:8 NIV).

Thanks to Phyllis Patton for the suggestion.

Do you have an expression you want explained or a thought about this one? If so, please comment below.

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Nest Egg

Nest Egg

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Nest Egg--robin's nest in a hole in a tree trunkDo you have a nest egg? Perhaps you hide it in a special place at your home. Maybe in a sock or a cookie jar? Or you might keep it in a bank or other financial institution.

Family members might be aware of your nest egg. Or maybe only you know about it.

A nest egg is money saved for a later time.

Planned uses include:

  • Buying a house
  • Retirement
  • Emergencies
  • Travel
  • A rainy day

Nest eggs may be large or small.

Small ones help with:

  • Christmas or birthday gifts
  • Toys
  • Clothes or shoes
  • A fancy meal

This expression comes from leaving an egg in a chicken’s nest.

A nest egg can be real or fake. Its purpose is to encourage the chicken to lay more eggs.

Most people think of nest eggs for personal use. However, the idea can be expanded to the needs of others. Since you can’t take it with you, what fun to save in order to give it away.

“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7 NIV).

(I know the above picture is a robin’s egg rather than a chicken’s. Yet isn’t it lovely?)

Thanks to Regina Graham for the suggestion. Image by Jill Wellington from Pixabay.

Do you have an expression you want explained or a thought about this one? If so, please comment below.

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On the Up and Up

On the Up and Up

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On the Up and Up--hot air balloons in front of cloudsOn the up and up sometimes refers to people becoming successful.

With high goals and hard work, they strive for a good:

  • Income
  • Reputation
  • Position

They rise in the business world.

On the up and up also refers to anything improving.

  • Health
  • Work
  • Relationships

Today’s focus relates to behavior.

People on the up and up are:

  • Honest
  • Dependable
  • Respectable
  • Fair

Anything they say can be taken to the bank. As good as their word, they have no need to hide anything they do.

  • When they make a deal, they honor their agreement.
  • If they share information, no one doubts its truth.
  • When they promise to do something, they do it.

People whose behavior is on the up and up live clean, moral, legally upright lives.

They want to do what is right. They may not become rich or famous. However, they find far greater success than money or fame. Their choices give them a clear conscience – a gift money can never buy.

“May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope, Lord, is in you” (Psalm 25:21 NIV).

Thanks to Brad Leverett for the suggestion. Image by Gerhard G. from Pixabay

Do you have an expression you want explained or a thought about this one? If so, please comment below.

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Let It Be

Let It Be

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Let It Be--Green River Lake sceneLet it be. Let it lie. Let sleeping dogs lie. All mean about the same.

To let it be means to leave a situation alone.

  • Wait rather than discuss it.
  • Don’t think too much about it.
  • Choose not to act yet.
  • Don’t dwell on the negative.
  • Get away from it.
  • Relax.

Let it be also relates to people.

We give people space when we let them be. We don’t bother them. They (or we) may need time, so we leave them alone for a while.

We may have to deal with the situation or person later.

However, extra time allows us to:

  • Gain more understanding
  • Think more clearly
  • Prepare a plan

Added time also helps us avoid getting in a jam or opening a can of worms.

 A few situations demand immediate attention.

We must act quickly. When that happens, let’s act wisely. We want to use our information and resources in the best possible way.

“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him” (Psalm 37:7 NIV).

Thanks to Laura Lee Leathers for the suggestion.

Do you have an expression you want explained or a thought about this one? If so, please comment below.

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