Dearest Angels,
Sometimes it is hard for me to remember that I don't have to jump in and 'fix everything'. As a former college professor, and general 'know it all' my tendency is to make sure that everything around me is running smoothly and everyone understands everything.
However, what I find is that 1) that is exhausting 2) other people don't want my advice, thank you very much! 3) so I have learned to say: Not my circus, not my monkeys.
Even here I find that some time people just prefer their way of thinking to what I see as the actual 'facts of the matter'. I'm already to jump into their circus and start corralling their monkeys!
Whoa! Time to stop and remember, not my circus, not my monkeys.
I really like that and there are lots of ways of saying it. I recently read a novel that featured a ex-con, who learned: Don't try to do other people's 'time'. Just do your own time.
We have a family staying with us for the summer (long story) NOT OUR FAMILY, and they have many issues, to say the least. I keep having to say to myself, we are helping them But we 'didn't take them to raise". A Southern saying which means we don't own their problems.
So I you find me giving more advice and facts than you need, just say 'circus or monkeys.....I'll get the idea!
Hugs, Elaine
Oh Elaine, you can corral my monkeys anytime. I always value your insight. ;)
But I do love that saying. I will try to incorporate into my life.
I agree with Carebear --- I always want you to chime in with your two cents. Mi monkeys es su monkeys!
8)
Well Elaine, I look at it this way... I sometimes do need help coraling my monkeys because often I am too involved in the situation to realize that my monkeys do need rounding up! Always open to your advice!
I do like that saying and if you don't mind I'd like to adopt that into my speech. I usually just say "not my problem", but "not my circus, not my monkeys" kinda puts some fun in it!
Gail