Friday

A Peeve

Ya know, I try to be Suzy Sunshine over here, which is annoying beyond all comprehension I'm sure.

But I read this today and decided to keep it real and share with you one of my peeves. I think I've even decided that the phrase "pet peeve" is one of my peeves, too, so I'm not going to call it that, either. (Seriously -- you have GOT to read that link! FAR more valuable than anything I will put over here!)

So. Facebook affords me far more insight into human nature than I need or want, though I simply cannot. tear. myself. away. (My addiction to social media can be YOUR peeve. I'm totally good with it.)

One thing that I have noticed is someone's proclamation of good news:

"I have awesome concert tickets!"

"Finally booked my cruise!"

"Sitting with my college roomie on the patio of a great restaurant!"

"Vacation starts now!"

Whatever it is - good news! Yay! Invariably, someone will comment with "No fair!" That simply crawls all over me.

One in particular that got me was a young, hard-working mom who got to go on a trip because of her husband's work. When she mentioned she was looking into some tickets for theater productions there, another "friend" of hers pouted in the comments, "No fair!" Pouty friend and her family could buy that trip and tickets to any show twelve times over -- this would likely be the first woman's only opportunity for such a trip. How is that not fair?

Denise mentioned something about leaving for her cruise. A friend I don't know pouted, "No fair!" Denise and her husband both have a job, Denise had been saving her dollars for the trip -- how is that not fair? Because she has something good and you don't? That is life, sister friend. Occasionally friends get good things. Get your happy britches on about it.

"I was jus' kiddin'!" those of you prone to pout "No fair!" may protest. Well, that is part of my peeve, I suppose. As a writer and a "word person", words mean something, and have weight. If you are truly happy for the person, say so. If you aren't, keep it to yourself.

As far as words having weight, while I'm bein' all open and honest here, I'll confess that just one hour ago, I let one little casually tossed phrase in my home hurt someone I love deeply. I didn't intend it the way it was taken, I have (and will continue to) apologize -- but it is impossible to unring that bell. Words have weight. "Oh be careful little mouth what you say."

"Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." Romans 12: 15,18

So. That is my Friday evening confessions. Feel free to share your own peeve or three. I don't want to feel alone over here in my peeves.

7 comments:

Dana Miller said...

That is a good reminder about our own selfishness. We need to be happy for others and not act or speak in such selfish ways. BTW, selfishness happens to be one of my pet peeves, in any form-even if I happen to be the one showing it (in that case, I just pretend I am exercising and kick myself in the rear).

Wendy said...

Oh my peeve is a weighty one. I just read the latest comments on Mike Cope's latest blogpost and cannot believe the hide, arrogance and whatever of one of the commenters...

Paula Harrington said...

I'm with you on the "Not Fair" statement. Life isn't fair. Sometimes it downright stinks. Accepting that and dealing with it is part of being an adult.

Here's a bit of honesty for you that deals with this issue, I can't remember one time in my childhood when my family was truly happy for someone else's good fortune. I'm sure there were times but I don't remember them. What I do remember is watching Wheel of Fortune with my husband years ago (before we were married) and being shocked at his behavior when someone won big. He was thrilled for them. He literally stood up and got closer to the television. I remember watching his reaction and thinking how foreign that was to me. What is wrong with us when we're bitter by an unfair life. What a bad attitude. Christians are supposed to be different, right?

By the way, did I mention that I'm a preacher's daughter and grand-daughter?

Leah said...

It definitely gives new thought to the idea of what coveting truly means.

Deana said...

When I was very young I had a conversation with my dad about this. He said, "Deana one of the best gifts you can ever give someone is to celebrate with them." I now have a fuller appreciation of this concept. Spotting blessings ultimately honors God and increases my faith even if the one being blessed isn't me. Beyond that it safeguards my heart from envy and jealousy. Thanks for the reminder.

Sarah said...

Dana -- several of my peeves are thus b/c they are my biggest flaws and annoy me so greatly. I'll practice that kicking myself exercise. Love it.

Wendy -- yeah, sometimes I have to quit reading some blogs b/c other folks can't participate in friendly dialog. Keep it civil, folks!

Paula, I LOVE the image of your husband watching WOF. I WISH I were that unselfish. How fun for him. And what a sad testament to the "people of faith" that you were raise around. Wow.

Leah, I think social media gives us all manner of new things to covet about people. I also think we just may find out that we are coveting a house of cards, too. All the more reason to keep it in check.

Deana -- I like your dad more and more the more I hear about him. Very wise counsel.

Roxanne said...

Loved your post. . .and the link.