The Grass Is Greener...

My husband is used to me blurting out, "Please pull over so I can get a picture of that sunset!!" He's had to live with me & my obsession for photography (of sunsets, sunrises and much, much more) for many years now. Tonight was no exception. As we were headed to the Open House at our g-daughter's day care center, the sun was setting. And, I was smitten. The clouds seemed to make a trail to the west - beckoning me to follow. 

I've wanted to float away from my responsibilities & my reality with the clouds on many occasions. I've wanted to catch hold of a jet trail & take it to distant places. I've watched people getting on planes & day-dreamed about where they were going & if I'd like it there.


There's a very familiar saying that we've all heard...

The grass is greener on the other side.

And, there's another similar saying that came along at some point - perhaps in response to that first one... 

The grass is greener where you water it.

You know what? Sometimes the grass IS greener on the other side. And, it's okay to look at it & enjoy the beauty. But, it's important to remember also that almost always the grass is greener where you water it. 

As the LOML pulled over & stopped at the edge of the parking area last night for me to get a good picture, I snapped the shot above. I saw the jet trails heading into the western sky & wondered where those folks were going. And, I thought about how I've loved dreaming about going places since I was a young child. 

ROAD CLOSED

But, I also thought about how much I really love where I am. I have a great support group here with wonderful friends & family members. I love the open fields & the wide variety of topography in our so-called flat state. I love the life that we've made here... it's a life that isn't dependent upon just being in this place... but, by being content wherever we are.

I was gazing into the setting sun as I took the picture last night. I was hoping I'd get a good shot that would somewhat capture the beauty on display before me. And, only when I got home & uploaded the picture did I get a chuckle at what I'd caught in the full picture. Take a look at the very bottom of the full shot at the sign hanging in front of the gravel road. 

Even if the grass is greener on the other side AND even if the road is closed to where you want to go... you can still choose to enjoy the beauty before you! Make the choice that Paul did when he said:

"... I have learned to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live with almost nothing or with everything..."  Philippians 4:11-14

Linked with the Nesting Place community through the write31days challenge, October 2014 - post No 29.