If You Lay Down With Dogs

We’ve heard the saying that if you lay down with dogs that you shouldn’t be surprised if you get up with fleas. I think a lot of people just don’t get this. The bottom line is that the people you associate with do affect your life. You may not do the same things that they do, but other people will assume you do. And sometimes their behaviors will rub off on you and you do start acting like them. If this is the case, don’t be surprised when people react accordingly.

I know we all say that we aren’t supposed to judge. Yeah, it would be nice. But we do. It’s human nature. And it isn’t necessarily wrong when it comes to deciding who we associate with. What I mean is that I don’t hang out with some people because I know for a fact that some of their behaviors are negative. I don’t want other people to think I do those things. And I don’t want to be influenced to do those types of things. Is that wrong of me? I don’t think it is.

I know a few people who are surprised by this revelation, though. Some people don’t want to be around them because of the company they keep. Here is a clue. If you don’t like the response  you are getting from other people, change what you’re doing and the dogs you’re lying down with. If you don’t make the change, you’re going to keep getting the same response or you’re going to be dragged down by those dogs.

Nervy People

So the other day I was talking to someone and this person says to me, “Oh by the way, you know how you told me THIS? Well, when I did it, it was super easy! I don’t know why you said it was difficult.” I was kind of taken aback. This person is an acquaintance that I really don’t like to talk to, but have to from time to time. She often makes these comments. Most days I can just blow it off. I did need to relay more information to her that day, but instead I smiled that nice fake smile and said very tersely, “Have a good day!” I really didn’t mean it. I just needed to get away from her before I said something very ugly.

So here is my question: WTF?!?! Why is it that some people want to put people down constantly? (BTW, I know dang well that she can’t figure things out any better than me so she isn’t so brilliant. I truly do not consider her to be more intelligent than I am and don’t care if she is. Her life is hers. Mine is mine.) And she does need me from time to time. So why would someone do something like that? I would never go out of my way to talk down to someone without provocation.

Do y’all have people that do this to you? If so, what do you do? Do you just call them out? Do you walk away? WHAT DO YOU DO?

My cats

Anyone who knows me knows that my cats rule our house. I think this is pretty much the norm for most people who live with cats. You might notice I did not say own cats. Cats are too hoity toity to be owned. They allow you to be in their presence from time to time.

I’m finding not all are like this but the majority are. My darling Soleil will climb in your lap and snuggle for long periods. My funny girl Chloe acts like you’re trying to kill her most times.

Both of them understand when I tell them not to do something. Maybe it’s my tone. Maybe they’ve learned what the word “no” means.  The picture above really made me laugh out loud. I pictured Chloe saying that the second I left for work. I love my bratty girl and know her personality all too well. She’s kinda like her Mama.

Some “Christians” Make Me Cringe

I have been reading a lot of things online lately. A lot has been from “Christians.” Some of these people I know and some I don’t. But what bothers me is their tone and hatefulness at times. Some of these people are provoking people in a negative way. It’s one thing to try to discuss something but when you are calling people names and talking about how stupid they are for their beliefs, I don’t find that to be too Christian of way of dealing with people.

For me Christianity means that it is the following of Christ. I believe Jesus is Christ. I look through the Bible and I never read anything of Jesus acting this way. The biggest reaction I ever read about was him flipping the money changers tables in the temple. Most of the time he was saying to quit judging and to not treat people badly. He actually hung out with the sinners and talked to them on a level they understood. This didn’t mean he agreed with their lives; it just meant that he cared enough to show them he cared.

I think maybe some of these “Christians” I have been reading and/or know should really re-read some of Jesus’s lessons. He was pretty smart and loving and kind. His people skills were awesome. There was that whole WWJD movement a few years back. Maybe some people should think like that because I really don’t think Jesus would be calling names or telling people how stupid they are. I could be wrong, but I really don’t think so.

I don’t want everyone thinking that all Christians are that way. They’re not. Not all Christians are so condemning. Some of us realize we are saved by grace and that we have to learn to live with others and we can’t make people conform to our every belief. Some of us are willing to listen to why you feel the way you feel even if we don’t feel the same way.

Facebook Is Like Middle School All Over Again

Ever want to relive your childhood? Go to Facebook. You can do it there very easily. You can reconnect with old friends and make new ones. And a lot of the interaction is great. But then there are the interactions that are not so great that make you wonder if some people ever left middle school mentally.

Some of the things people say and do on there is crazy! You wonder if they really act like that in real life. If they do, how do they get by with it? Most of the time I ignore it because some things are just not worth it. And then there have been times I have had to take a stand and say enough is enough. I don’t care what you do on your “wall” but leave it off mine.

Another aspect of Facebook is the picks and the jabs. The problem with doing that online is that there is no tone to go with the words. You’re just reading words and sometimes they come across quite harsh. I have had friends ask, “Did so-and-so mean it that way?” or “Why is so-and-so such a jerk?” Usually I have just said whatever to things but the other day I had enough of the nasty jabs from one guy. He picked and picked and when I said enough he kept on. Well, sorry. That don’t fly. So I put him on a restricted list so he just couldn’t see my stuff for a while. It was the equivalent of time-out. He didn’t like that so he deleted me. OK. Fine.

One more thing about Facebook being like middle school is that you have the people who like to chastise you over posts. I don’t post too many things that are overly shocking. But I have been “policed” by some of my “friends” and haven’t liked it. Again, my wall. I should be able to do what I like. I keep my comments available to my friends only so it’s not out there for the world. And I had a Mama and Daddy and they’re dead and I don’t need replacements. I’m 40 years old. I think I got it.

So if you long for the days of middle school, go on over to Facebook. You might find how similar it truly is. You might also find that you aren’t really longing for middle school after all!