Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Don't Take Things For Granted...!


Don't ever just take things at face value.

Often things that appear to be one thing are really another. Sort of like a wolf in sheep's clothing, ya know?

A friend of mine sent me nice little short story that illustrates this point perfectly!


"One day my mother was out and my dad was watching me.

Someone had given me a little tea set as a get-well gift and it was one of my favorite toys.

Daddy was in the living room engrossed in the evening news when I brought Daddy a little cup of tea, which was just water.

After several cups of tea and lots of praise for such yummy tea, my Mom came home.

My Dad made her wait in the living room to watch me bring him a cup of tea, because it was just the cutest thing!

My Mom waited, and sure enough, here I come down the hall with a cup of tea for Daddy and she watches him drink it up.

Then she says, (as only a mother would know..?)

'Did it ever occur to you that the only place she can reach to get water is the toilet?'


You see what I mean? The point I'm trying to make here is that you and I should question anything and everything that's given to us, especially if it supposedly for our benefit.

A government program, a state free food pantry, a new social assistance program...any of these should be looked at very carefully before we allow ourselves to be the recipients of something that could cause us more grief that good.

There are many, many programs that help folks out through the hard times...and that's a good thing. That is the only way that some of us can get through when times are tough. As long as there are no strings attached, that's fine ! I support this type of assistance without reservation.

All I'm saying is that before blindly accepting whatever is offered, find out as much as you can! I just don't want you to accept something, and then wind up with a bad taste in your mouth, if you know what I mean!

Now, my friends, let's get some coffee and sit on the patio for a bit...don't worry, there's no strings attached!

15 comments:

Felinae said...

Hi Uncle Hermit,

That story always makes me chuckle :D

More great advice, and I agree, we should never blindly accept something without knowing all the facts. Usually if it sounds too good to be true, there is a catch somewhere.

I would love to join you for coffee today and how about some zucchini nut bread to go along with it?

Hugs~Felinae~

HermitJim said...

Hey Felinae...
I'm sure glad to see you here today! That bread sounds great! I think it would be just the thing to go with the coffee...

Thanks for coming by...

Kyddryn said...

Good morning, Mister Hermit, sir.

Funny story, that!

When something is given freely, with compassion and love, I am happy to have it.

But when it is taken by force from another, I can't accept it, however I may benefit.

In my lifetime, I've certainly qualified for more than one "assistance" program, but have never used them - the money to fund them is NOT freely given, and so (to me, any way) untouchable. I'd rather do without than know I benefit from what amounts to government sponsored theft and bullying.

Not that I feel strongly about it or anything.

Don't get me wrong - I'm all for social programs...that are supported voluntarily, by the communities they benefit.

Meanwhile, I wish more people would look at the fine print, see the way they are shackled by their dependence, selling their freedom for measures of comfort or safety, and say "Enough!"...but the blinders are so comfortable, aren't they?

Easier not to see, not to think, not to stand and take responsibility for our actions...

Whoopsie...went off on a rant.

As Miss Felinea is bringing zucchini bread, I'll offer up some good Irish butter for your repast...

Shade and Sweetwater,
K

Marie said...

Love the story--Felinae beat me to it, but one of the first things that came to mind was "if it's too good to be true, it probably is." Reminds me of an instance where there was school fundraiser that was a total scam on everyone involved except the company/individual who instigated it, who apparently wasn't above using and tricking kids to make a profit. It was a great deal that didn't actually exist--and people got taken in because who would have thought someone would do something like that? Research, research, research, and make sure what you are getting yourself into, and if it's actually a good thing... Sorry to be so long--good post!

Wyn Boniface said...

That was horrible, and here I was thinking hey that is very loving and cute father daughter story. LOL

HermitJim said...

Hey K...
The fine print is always the last thing that people want to read! Seems as though they never expect that there may be strings attached.

I think the main problem now days is that the gov. wants to force the participation of both the givers and recievers. Forced charity is NOT charity!

Hey, I do appreciate you dropping by...


Hey Marie...
The use of children in any scam is so wrong! Bad enough when the scammers use the school as a front, but to involve the children!

Hey, Marie...I do appreciate the visit today!


Hey Wyn...
Gotcha with that one, huh? Don't feel bad, I got taken in as well!

It does go to prove the point, though!

Thanks for coming by tonight, Wyn...

Anonymous said...

Lol, that is funny - thanks for letting us in on that one. I have one of similar nature, this some years ago, when my autistic son was two or three.

I let him take his nightly shower first, and then got in while water was still going on. I sensed he was still in room, and when I peeked behind shower curtain, I saw him scrubbing the floor with a toothbrush. My toothbrush. Scrubbing the urine he had just done on the floor.

Gross!

I'll tell you what, I changed toothbrushes right there, but for quite a while after that, I still wondered if that funny taste was just my imagination . . .

Man, kids add so much in the human condition . . . have a good day.

Rae said...

Vary good thoughts. I guess I had never looked at things quite that way. Thanks for making me think.

Ken said...

...that's the kind of giggle that keeps on giggling...lol

...always a catch,just keep sayin' it,always a catch...good post Jim

Anonymous said...

Now that's funny there. And a good thought provoking post.
Kudos HJ.
YeOldFurt

HermitJim said...

Hey Anon 5:36...
Thank goodness you saw him using your toothbrush and changed it...

Kids, you just gotta LUV 'em! I imagine that bad taste, real or imagined, stayed with you for a long time!

Thanks for the visit, my friend!


Hey Rae...
Good to see you today! Part of the problem I fell is that we have got so use to the word "free" that we don't question the fact anymore. I think that we all now know that there is never really anything that's totally "free" at all.

Good programs, supported by voluntary participation, is a good thing. "free" programs, with hidden strings attached, are NOT worth dealing with!

We should always want to know where our "tea" is coming from...

Thanks for coming by, Rae...


Hey Ken...
I'm glad you got a giggle from it this morning!

Good thing to keep in mind...like you said "always a catch!"

Hey, I appreciate you coming by, brother!


Hey YOF...
Sure is good to see you here this morning, my man!

Never hurts to start the day with a bit of a grin, I'm thinking!

Thanks so much for taking the time to drop by this morning, buddy!

Frugal Canadian Hermit said...

That was a cute story and a valuable lesson learned also.

HermitJim said...

Hey FCH...
Glad you liked the story and agree with the message.

I sure do appreciate you dropping by for a visit, my friend!

riverwalker said...

Good way to make a very important point! Perhaps I'll stay with the coffee a while longer.


RW

HermitJim said...

Hey RW...
Good to see you this morning! I'm thinking that maybe the best way to get through to some folks is to just tell them a story , then the message!

Maybe that will work...nothing else will!

Thanks for coming by today. my friend!