bythemethod.com blog

In Britain we have a saying: “the grass always looks greener on the other side of the fence”. It means that things always seem better for everyone else than they do for you – so we should take time to realise that this is not true. Although the grass looks greener it actually isn’t, it is just the same old grass we all have.

I was reminded the other day of the time I returned to Britain after working in California for a while. I was struck by just how green everything was, it wasn’t just green it was a vibrant eye-watering green. Some of you might have had this experience yourself.

Of course as time passes the memory of how green everything is in Britain fades and you get used to it.

One of the dangers in life is getting used to things – whatever those things might be. As we get used to them we start to think that perhaps the grass is greener somewhere else. We need to learn to recognise that we are surrounded by wonderful things every day. We need to notice, as it were, the greenness of our own lawn.

This is perhaps most clearly seen in our relationships. There is something wonderful and comforting about getting used to being around people – it helps us relax with them. But sometimes this leads to a perceived kind of boredom. We start to think that other people are more interesting than the ones we have around us. We need to learn to see the people we mix with as if we have only just met them. We need to learn to appreciate the beauty and wonder of the people we see every day.

So let me encourage you to see your friends, your wife or husband, your partner, etc. as if you had just seen them for the very first time. Enjoy being around them and don’t let the green grass syndrome get you down.