Browsed by
Tag: reality

A Hard Pill to Swallow

A Hard Pill to Swallow

Comments 6 comments

A Hard Pill to Swallow--three calcium pills in hand next to a glass of water

Calcium can be a hard pill to swallow. A relative and a good friend found the task almost impossible. The relative now takes calcium in a different form. My friend required surgery when a pill became stuck.

A hard pill to swallow means an unpleasant reality.

We don’t like it, but we can’t avoid it. It is what it is. Although hard to deal with, we have no choice.

We often face circumstances that are a hard pill to swallow.

  • Loss of a job or failure to get a job
  • A relationship breakup
  • Financial ruin
  • A life-threatening diagnosis

Sometimes all we can do is accept reality and move on.

Although we can’t have what we want, we keep going. Often, our disappointment is a blessing in disguise. We discover greater options, such as:

  • Employment with better benefits
  • Strength within ourselves and stronger bonds with others
  • Recognition that inner peace outweighs financial gain
  • A new appreciation for life and good health

Find the opportunity in every hard pill to swallow.

Life is not always easy, but it can still be good. Become a tough cookie ready to tackle whatever hardship occurs.

“In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity” (2 Corinthians 8:2 NIV).

Thanks to Karen Atwood and Beckham Wilson for the suggestion.

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

Subscribe to receive my weekly posts by email and receive a free copy of “Words of Hope for Days that Hurt.”

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

Happy as a Pig

Happy as a Pig

Comments 6 comments

Happy as a Pig-Gail JohnsonPlease welcome my friend Gail Johnson as today’s guest writer. Gail wrote her first song when she was twelve years old. Since then, she’s written more than 100 songs. She’s currently writing a contemporary romance series on the family farm where she enjoys her husband, kids, animals, and nature. To learn more about Gail, visit www.gailjohnsonauthor.com.

I’ve heard the phrase “Happy as a pig in the sunshine” all my life. In fact, I’ve used it several times when describing the animals on the farm.

According to Google, the correct saying is “Happy as a dead pig in the sunshine.” Eww! Big difference. When a pig dies, the sun will dry the skin, pulling it tight and leaving a grin on the face.

The old southern phrase describes someone who is blissfully ignorant of reality.

Happy as a Pig-two small pigsRather than face the truth of a matter, one happily ignores it.

Examples include:

  • Ignoring chores to sit in the sunshine with a child or a friend.
  • Turning off the news for a quiet day of rest.
  • Avoiding social media for alone time.
  • Escaping current problems for a day at the beach.

Ignorance is not bliss.

Contrary to popular belief, ignoring something doesn’t make it go away. Disregarding something for too long can cause a person to be caught unaware or become overwhelmed. Think of the mess that would accumulate if we didn’t do our housework. How would we keep up with the world around us if we never listened to the news? What about our online responsibilities? The people who depend on us don’t disappear when we disengage. Finally, who wants to become a beach bum.

Be disciplined when choosing to ignore something.

Checking out occasionally is great for refilling our hearts, souls, and minds. But there comes a time to face reality once more. When thinking about ignoring something, think about the pig in the sunshine and remember he died to get that smile. Know when to stop ignoring the issue and start engaging with life again.

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving” (Colossians 3:23-24 NIV).

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

Subscribe to receive my weekly posts by email and receive a free copy of “Words of Hope for Days that Hurt.”

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

Photo courtesy of Gerhard G. from Pixabay.

Down to Earth

Down to Earth

Comments 2 comments

Down to Earth-wooded area, farm gate, leaves on groundWhere I grew up, most people like to be known as down to earth.

A down to earth person is a good ordinary person.

He does not:

  • Want to be fancy
  • Try to impress other people
  • Think he is better than others

Rather, he:

  • Stays humble
  • Is easy to like
  • Remains realistic
  • Speaks clearly and simply
  • Is as good as his word

 Sometimes a person needs to be brought down to earth.

That can mean one of two things:

  1. The person is too proud – too big for his britches.
  2. Or, he is not aware of or not accepting reality. He needs to face the facts.

Being brought down to earth can be hard but helpful.

No one enjoys the process. Yet, if a person can grow, the pain is worth the change.

I try to make this blog down to earth with simple, easy-to-understand language. Is it working? How can I improve? Please comment.

All of you, leaders and followers alike, are to be down to earth with each other” (1 Peter 5:5 MSG).

Subscribe to receive my weekly posts by email and receive a free copy of “Words of Hope for Days that Hurt.”

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