“Illusions are dangerous people; they have no flaws.” Screenwriters Barbara Benedek, David Rayfiel, and Samuel A.Taylor When I was single I lived for a while in a neighborhood I used to call Married with Children since I was the only single and childless person living on my block. I walked my dog to the mailbox every evening so I got to know all the kids and most parents after a while. I was known as “Button’s Mom.” When I took Button on longer walks down other streets, we passed houses where I knew very little about the people who lived there. Mostly I just imagined who lived in these homes. There was the home with a giant willow in the front yard, the home with a courtyard in front, the home with a paved, black pebble driveway, and so on. Button’s short legs went slowly (and he stopped to sniff every blade of grass) so I used to imagine who lived behind these architectural façades. In all my imaginings these families never had financial problems, illnesses, tragedies, or even misfortunes like divorce, unemployment, or a child on drugs. In the back of my mind they all lived perfect lives; no one had a demanding boss, cancer, or car problems. They weren’t real, they were illusions. Gradually, after years of walking Button, I began to suffer from envy. I was dissatisfied with my life. This became dangerous when I was having a bad day or working long hours and little time for social events. When I didn’t have an activity on a Saturday night or Sunday afternoon, I would imagine all the things these imaginary happy families were doing, while I slogged down the street with nothing more exciting to do than walk my dog. On the verge of depression, someone came into my life that helped me see I was viewing life as half-empty rather than half-full. She challenged me to write down three things that I was grateful for every night. In a matter of a few months my thoughts shifted from ‘woe is me’ to ‘praise God.’ Is there an imaginary person, family, celebrity, athlete, or colleague in your life? Do you find yourself comparing your life to what little you know about theirs? What thoughts of thankfulness can you focus on that will replace these imaginary musings?
Lord, remind me to be grateful when I’m tempted to be envious, give me the gift of contentment. Amen “But if we have food and clothing, we will be content…those who want…fall into temptation…and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.” I Timothy 6:8-9 What are your thoughts? Libby Note: Barbara Benedek, David Rayfiel, and Samuel A.Taylor wrote the screenplay for the 1995 version of the movie Sabrina, with Harrison Ford, Julia Ormond, and Greg Kinnear. This quote, my favorite from the movie, was a line for the character, Irene, played by the famous French actress Fanny Ardant.
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WelcomeI love the wisdom of the ages gleaned from relevant quotes. In them there is a connection to the human experience that crosses all borders. Join me as I relate my personal experiences, and link the wisdom of the quote to the Source of all wisdom: God's Word, the Bible. Enjoy, Libby Categories
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