Green-Eyed Monster Epidemic

As a child I remember asking for more and more ice cream all the time.  I loved butter almond ice cream.  The local ice cream parlor had my favorite and it tasted homemade.  

I remember we had a ice cream churning machine where we would sometimes have homemade ice cream at home.  Now wishing I would have paid attention.  That was some really good ice cream too.  

Well if I ever my grandmother felt I was over indulging she would say "greed is a green-eyed monster".  You know grandmas would always preach as long as you have your basic necessities you are fine.  However, I was normally an extremist, competitive, and had to have what I felt was everything.  My mother's favorite term for me was always the "B" word.  And did I care?  No.  As long as I got what I wanted I didn't care what anyone thought about it.  Hey I was notorious for telling anyone to kiss my derriere.  She often referred to me as selfish, inconsiderate, and ungrateful "B" to boot.  I say “referred” because she would be ranting it to my grandmother as if I were not present in the room.  The thing was as my grandmother used to always tell my mother “if you create a monster you have to live with it, you’re the reason she’s the way she is”.  I used to just ask for stuff to see how far my mother would go.  She would get furious at me but she would get it.  She didn't want her children to want for anything.

Well fast forward numerous years and along comes three people who would change my perspective on life forever.  I am a true believer there is a reason for every season.  Nurturing my children taught me life was not always about me and the things I wanted.  If I had not had my children I admittedly would have been ruthless.  My eye was on the prize of success as I had defined it.  My agenda after having my first child was to graduate from college, go to graduate school for information systems and then law school.  Do a CPA and a law degree and become a monster of a corporate lawyer specializing in cases involving business mergers and acquisitions.  I was always taught to take no prisoners.  Don't get me wrong I was always generous at spirit.  Most often I shy away from people because when I get too close I want to help, and help, and help.  I am one of those who will give and help beyond fault if I don't brace myself.

The topic I chose to write about today if you haven't already figured it out is "greed".  Greed is definitely a green-eyed monster.  Green may be attractive, however when you throw greed in the equation it becomes a whole product.  

One thing I've been witnessing over the last several months and at other times in my life time is how greed consumes folks.  How folks apparently unbeknownst become green-eyed monsters.  They want to use other folks as their foot solider.  They wear out a person using up their skills and abilities for their own self gain never giving anything back.  Once they use you up then you are of no value to them anymore.  I hate to see people fall victim to this syndrome but it happens.  

I've seen what appears to be the monster green all over so many folks lately it is pathetic.  I am not saying it in a judgmental type fashion but as a matter of practicality.  I don't know if it is the state of the economy or what it is.  You have folks who talk about and demean others for the mean green.  Folks will try and throw in stuff totally unrelated to the business at hand for the mean green.  Folks will divert other people leads they’ve worked and earned to other people for the mean green.  Folks will overlook everyone available within eyesight and call in someone from a distance for the mean green.  Folks will tell people you don't work there anymore or they have not seen you recently when you're sitting right in the room with them for the mean green.  Folks will show favor upon others and disregard those who have worked hard and earned their prospects for the mean green.  Folks will tell others not to talk to you you're too smart for the mean green.  Folks will get envious and jealous and form clicks for the mean green.  Folks will sell you out for the mean green.  Folks will try and tarnish your image for the mean green. Folks will work behind your back against you and smile in your face for the mean green.  Folks will disregard how snaking your business, snaking your clients, snaking your opportunities will affect you for the mean green.  I wonder what my ancestors who used to use the phrase it is a dog eat dog world would say about the antics to acquire the mean green today?

Well I'm glad lessons of greed where instilled upon me when I was younger.  I am thankful for all the Sundays my grandmother would drag me off to church by my ear if she had to just to instill upon me the basic values of treating folks with dignity and respect regardless of the mean green.  I'm thankful for the Christian-based mentors along the way who were successful and always challenging me to make money and don't let money make me.

Now green is good to have.   I won't eat anybodies cookies because I am not a green-eyed cookie monster.  Are you?  

When I get my green I want the mean to stand for meaning.  I want it to mean something special to me that I keep my head lifted up high and be thankful for.

Stay prayed up, stay blessed, there is no testimony without a test.

God grant me the serenity 
to accept the things I cannot change; 
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time; 
Enjoying one moment at a time; 
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace; 
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it; 
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life 
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.

--Reinhold Niebuhr

In loving memory of