IF YOU LIE WITH DOGS, YOU GET UP WITH FLEAS

By Vernalee

Associating with bad company will most definitely yield negative consequences.

Beware of the company you keep. Associating with those of low reputation may not only lower your own, but it may also lead you astray.

The unscrupulous can be toxic and toxicity can produce - Fear, Bad and Manipulative Conduct, Avoidance, Neediness, and impair your Vision.

It is hopeful that we can discern who is in our lives - be they there accidentally or providentially. We know that if you "waller" with pigs, you get dirty. It is unavoidable! We also know that bad associations spoil useful habits, that birds of the same feather flock together, and of course, if we lie down with dogs, we get up with fleas.

It is not what we know. It is what we do with what we know! Many times, we see the dirt, but convince ourselves that we will remain spotless as we are much too smart to get the mud on us. Wrong!

The choices are ours to make. Our decision will reveal our wisdom. For lack of a better term, it will also determine how "clean" we are, become, and remain.

WHEN AN OLD PERSON DIES, A LIBRARY BURNS TO THE GROUND

By Vernalee

This prophetic African proverb, "When an old man (or old woman) dies a library burns," helps you to appreciate how much history, knowledge, and wisdom our parents, grandparents... carried in their minds and souls. It makes you value the time that you had to spend with them. Oh my, what a blessing!

It is a treasured resource as to how much you benefited from their wisdom. Truly, they were reservoirs of information filled with family history; mostly unwritten. You were enriched from the nectar of their lips when they kissed you and from the sweetness of the time you spent together. They taught so many valuable lessons. While some of the information that departed from their mouths is fresh in our minds, we should take the time to record what they pass down so we can share with generations to come. Sorely missed many are! There have been so many times that I wanted to ask my Mother questions and seek her advice, but her voice is no more. It is for those reasons that we should treasure and respect what we have in our elders as long as we can. So much lived within their walls, and so much faded in the sunset when we lost them. For those who are remaining, while their nostrils pump out warm air, we should squeeze and grab as much of them as often and as long as we can! We'll be glad that we did!

STOP LOOKING AT OTHERS. GET YOUR HOUSE IN ORDER.

By Vernalee

Thriving business; fantastic career; big house; new car; extravagant jewelry/clothes, lavish vacations …..all are sought after forms of materialism! Sounds good! Oh yes! But what happens to your psyche when someone has more of them than you? Are you truly happy for them or are you jealous? Do you really like to see people do good or do you resent it particularly when they are doing better than you? You don’t have to answer. Your conduct will reveal the truth; it’s very telling. It puts more visible definition to you than you think! Either you will show happiness, delight, joy, regret, envy, or resentment …. when you observe others’ success. If you are resentful, you wallow in your own misery. Stop becoming so wrapped up in others. Don’t become trapped in someone else’s glory; enjoy the splendor of your own life. Stay focused on mapping your path! I’m sorry! If there is still a noticeable twinge of jealousy and abundant envy circulating in your space, unfortunately you have not arrived. Jealousy is not a good utilization of your time. You end up spending more time on others – than yourself! What a waste! Get out of the equalization mode and realize/achieve your greatness! Remember looks are deceiving. What you see externally may not be reflective of what lies inside. Work hard so that you too can have your deserved portion. Realign your priorities and thinking! Put your time to good use! The time that you spend looking at other folks’ stuff … could be better utilized toward acquiring your own! Stop trying to keep up with the Joneses! Don’t worry (about theirs); be happy (about yours)! Photo credit: www.pininterest.com