THE OTHER SIDE

How many times have you heard the phrase “The grass is always greener on the other side?” The intended meaning is that although some thing or some situation seems better from the outside than what you have now, it actually isn’t. This is literally true in the case of grass. Often the grass on the other side of the fence looks greener because you are looking at it from an angle, and see only the green blades of grass. When you look directly down at grass, you see the brown dirt between the blades. In some cases of homeowner vanity this can lead to expensive and costly “lawn-care-wars.” (You want to know the real reason Hitler invaded Poland? It wasn’t polish dogs…)

But is this always true? That things look better than they actually are? Of course not! All generalizations are false! (including this one >:)  )  Another question: is it bad to want to be on The Other Side? Well… yes and no, it depends on the side really, and your motivation. Where is the line between coveting and lust, and righteous motivation and drive?

The teenager in the stands at a high school football game who wishes he was on The Other Side of the game, playing not watching. The moviegoer who wishes she was on The Other Side of Hollywood’s silver screen. The drug addict who wishes he was on The Other Side of controlling his life. The loyal soldier, who despite fulfilling his duty in the battlefield, still wishes he was on The Other Side of the ocean.

Is it bad to want to be on The Other Side of an executive’s desk and paycheck? Well… yes and no, it depends on why you want to be there. Do you want money and power? Or do you want the opportunity to make a difference and provide for your family and others? Or are you in the bothersome mental quandary where your choice would be “C all of the above?”

In case you haven’t figured it out, I’m not actually going to give any resolution to these dilemmas. You honestly expect a quick-fix solution to your decision making problems in such a short essay? No,  I’d need another 50 pages, several weeks, and a generous supply of sugar to give you that. Plus, it really depends on the situation, the people involved, what they want, and why they want it. Most importantly, it depends on Heavenly Father’s will.

So sit back for a few minutes. What do you want to be on The Other Side of? What Other Sides have become your goals, intentionally or otherwise?

I’ll share a few of my own. I recently went in for a job interview. One day, I’ll be on The Other Side of one of those. Often when I watch a play, I wish I was on The Other Side of the production, knowing how fun it is to be cast rather than audience; to entertain than be entertained. I often wish to be on The Other Side of the uniform, a citizen-soldier. I can’t wait to be on The Other Side of a college degree, but then I’ll be on this side of those interviews again, dang it.

What are your Other Sides? How are you going to get there? And should you even go?