Keeping Up With The Joneses

Alright people, I have something to discuss and I am not holding back!! Lately I have noticed a lot of people hating on others for what they have and how they live.  Sadly I have heard this talk from people talking about their own friends.  Now I understand it is only normal to talk about what others have and what their homes, clothes, and lifestyles are like, but I am saddened to see so much negativity surrounding these conversations.  Why can't  we just be happy for the people we love and the success and happiness they are having in lives?  Why do feel such need to "keep up with the Joneses???"

Now, I am sure we have all heard of that saying...but have you ever wondered who the Jones family is?  Well I did some research and found out that the phrase originated from a comic strip in 1916.   The Joneses were the neighbors of the comic strip's main characters.  They were often referred to, but never seen.  There is your bit of history for the day, now back to the important stuff!!

The great thing about life is that EVERYONE lives differently and enjoys different things.  That is what makes the world go round; different strokes for different folks!  Instead of criticizing or being jealous of what our friends have compared to us, we should be happy that our friends are doing well and living well.  We need to stop focusing on what we don't have and be happy with what we do have, especially when it comes to friends.

It makes me really sad that I tend to see this behavior and hear these things from the girls more than the guys.  Ladies, we cannot be like this!!  Why do we feel the need to criticize each other?  There is enough bad in the world, we need to be supportive of our girls and be happy for how well they are doing.  I recently heard a story from a girl attending a bridal shower for a friend and she did nothing but complain about everything....the location, the food, how the gifts were opened, etc.  I was so appalled listening to this.  I tried to remind this girl that it was the couple's wedding shower and not hers.  They created a shower that would best fit them and what they would enjoy most.  I know the couple had an amazing time and that is what is important!  I understand it is natural to critique things to our liking, but we need to stop criticizing! 

I know we are all guilty of this, myself included, but I think we really need to step back and take a look at how we tend to compare our lives to the lives of others around us.  Newsflash.....what someone else has and how they live may not work for you!!!  So let's all try to be happy with ourselves, our lives, and be genuinely happy for those of our friends who are doing well.  Thank you and goodnight :o)