Why did the Goat Cross the Road?

How is it, Maecenas, that no one lives contented with his lot, whether he has planned it for himself or fate has flung him into it, but yet he praises those who follow different paths?

Horace (65-8 BC), Roman poet

The Myth of the Greener Grass.

I remember once, travelling by road somewhere in the West, a trio of young goats ran across the road in front of our commercial car, causing the driver to hit the brakes and swerve to avoid hitting them.

"What are they looking for on that side of the road that is not on this side?" one passenger remarked. A pretty astute observation, I think. Perhaps the goats assumed that the grass on the other side was sweeter, or at least greener.

Maybe it's the same reason why you think her dress is prettier than yours, his wife is more beautiful than yours or their son is smarter and more responsible than yours. The same reason why your neighbor's lawn looks that particular shade of green. It's the Myth of the Greener Grass. It's premise is that the grass is always greener on the other side. We all fall victim to this belief at one time or the other. Think about it. How many times have you compared yourself with someone else and come up short? How often do you think things would be different and better if you found yourself in someone else's shoes? Psychologists suggest that this is why many men suffer the mid-life crisis. All of a sudden they wake up and realize that the life they've been living could be better. It certainly looks better on others.

Well there's news for you. It may not be particularly good news, but it's true. The grass is just as green on the other side. Now it may be true that our circumstances are dependent on what "fate" (if you will allow it) has thrown our way. But to the larger extent, it's less about what comes your way and more about what you do with it. It's our prerogative to make the most of the life we've been given to live and, when we've done that, to find contentment with our lot in life. The other guy may be looking over into your own yard and envying your lawn. It works both ways.

When we go chasing shadows we hurt others who depend upon us for stability and love. Find satisfaction in your life and enjoy your patch of grass to the fullest. At least it is yours and no-one will take that from you.

With love, Doosuur.