Quoted from Wikipedia
“Keeping up with the Joneses” is a catchphrase in many parts of the English-speaking world referring to the comparison to one’s neighbor as a benchmark for social caste or the accumulation of material goods. To fail to “keep up with the Joneses” is perceived as demonstrating socio-economic or cultural inferiority.
We’ve all heard it, and to be totally honest, I think nearly everyone has been guilty of it, even in a small way. Perhaps if we weren’t “guilty” of it, we have at times “wished” we had what someone else had, even if we didn’t try and keep up with those Joneses.
Someone used this phrase today and it made me think, not so much about keeping up materialistically, but how we sometimes wish we “were” someone else or “looked” like someone else. I have done this at times. Wished I was someone else, had someone else’s look, style, figure, etc.
I believe the older we get, the more our skin feels comfortable to live in. I like being me now and it took me many years to feel happy to be myself. Without walking the paths I have chosen or the paths I was forced to walk, I wouldn’t be who I am, I wouldn’t have the family I have nor the friends I’ve chosen.
Have I had times I wished I hadn’t had to endure? YES.
Have I had situations that I hated being in? YES.
Have I said things to others that I regret? YES
Have I made mistakes I wished I hadn’t? YES.
Would I be who I am today without them? NO!
When the wall hits me in the face and I don’t think there is any way out, I’ll make sure I remind myself that this too is “creating” me. The “me” who will wake up tomorrow and have walked along another section of my own personal journey and I’ll come out of this a better person.
I like keeping up with Chrissy now. It’s a lot easier to do and an enjoyable trip!
Chrissy
