The Grass Isn’t Always Greener on the Other Side
The family started replacing our fence this weekend. We dug the posts and cemented them in to the ground (as per code) yesterday, and we will be putting up the fence today.
After working all day in the hot sun yesterday, I was sore and exhausted. I felt great. There is something “manly” about working outside of a home improvement project (or maybe that’s just me reading too much Art of Manliness or Return to Manliness).
Much like the guy who changes his own oil and feels like an auto mechanic, I felt like a god amongst men after putting everything up for the night. I told myself that I could do this everyday without a problem. Working outside, with nature, everyday would be awesome! It would be better than working in some smug office under those blinding florescent lights having useless power meetings! I can quit my job and go start working on a construction yard.
Whoa, there. Reality, kindly come over here and give Russ a taste.
The truth is that, my awe of working outside would soon fade and I would be begging for rain so I don’t have to go out and work in the hot sun. While after a good day there is a sense of accomplishment a construction worker feels after completing a job, I suspect there are very few who would pass up the opportunity to work in an air-conditioned office all day long, typing at the computer for a decent salary. No sweat, no cuts and bruises, no sunburns, no bosses who yell and scream when you make a mistake.
I have a friend who used to say “They always say ‘the grass is always greener on the other side’, but did you ever turn grass over?”. Like everything, it is a matter of perspective. A blade of grass is green on both sides, perhaps with a subtle difference. Turn that blade over and you may or may not notice the difference.
“The grass may be greener on the other side of the fence, but it still needs to be mowed”
Be content in your life now; your neighbors may appear to have a better/easier/simpler life through the quick glimpses you see of another’s world, but sometimes things are not as simple as they appear.
Sep 8th, 2008 at 7:51 am
I’d have to say that the grass truly isn’t always greener on the other side of the fence. Most of the time, we miss out on looking at the flowers in our own garden. Instead we choose to lament for what we do not have. It is so important to be grateful and to appreciate for what we already own!
Sep 8th, 2008 at 9:49 am
Yes there is something about it doing it yourself or creating something. I still remember doing some work at my parent’s place when I was still living at home, like changing the wall paper, putting up a wooden ceiling - very rewarding when you have finished.
I am looking forward when we own our place again and I can get started doing some renovations.
Sep 9th, 2008 at 9:19 am
@Evelyn Lim - Yes, I could not agree with you more. The problem of looking at your neighbors grass is that you aren’t looking at your own. Fantastic observation!
@Click a Life Coach - After we finished cleaning up our tools, my wife was telling me how much she enjoys being able to do this now that we own a house. I have also developed an unhealthy love of Home Depot since we bought the house. I hope you are able to start some of your own projects soon.
Sep 16th, 2008 at 12:15 am
Hey Russ, we hear that saying so much, yet this is such a perfect example of clearly pointing out the reality from both sides. The clarity makes the statement that much more powerful. Thank you for sharing your experiences with us!