I've Been Watching You!

Anyone remember the song Sweat from the group Inner Circle? “I’ve been watching you, a la la la la long…..”  Ok not in a weird or judgmental way, but just ‘cause I’m curious about people. I love to people watch. I’m perfectly happy standing in line at Christmas time, fighting the crowds at the mall, waiting for a table in a crowded restaurant……whatever the reason that allows me the opportunity to check out the people around me. Y’all are very interesting.

Having recently moved from living on 10 acres of land, with not much around me, to an apartment…… has given me a plethora of people to watch. It’s like Christmas every day! There is an abundance of people around to choose from. One of my favorites is the guy next door to me that is going through a divorce. He likes to go outside to have long phone conversations with people about the latest drama in his life so as not to let his sons, inside his apartment, overhear the nastiness. Instead, the entire building hears it. I get a little rush when I hear his voice out in the breezeway. I confess that I have even cracked the door to better hear the next installment of his woes. (I hope he doesn’t read this!) There are always moving trucks outside with people moving in or out. Talk about people watching….you can learn so much about people from checking out their stuff! I’ll consider counseling when this hobby becomes an obsession. I’m not there yet, I promise!

For as long as I can remember, I have enjoyed quietly observing the interactions and idiosyncrasies of people around me. It can be very amusing to say the least. Especially during the holiday season! If you have a best friend to share it with, it makes it even better. Because then one of you can observe an “interesting subject” while the other observes everyone else doing the same thing you are doing….checking out the weirdo! Ooops, that was my out loud voice…..I did say I wasn’t judging. And really, for the most part, I’m not. But sometimes you have to allow categories for these things. There are the normal people that hold my interest just because I like to see how people interact with others in various situations. And then there are the bizarre individuals that catch even the non-people watchers’ eyes………the ones that you see at Walmart or in airports. During the Christmas season, they tend to get out more so it’s quite a smorgasbord.

If you’re wondering if I’ve ever been a victim of being watched, the answer is yes. When I notice that I’m providing amusement for someone I can’t get too upset. Every once in a while I have to get some payback. Probably Karma…. I’m cool with that. It’s the least I can do for all of the years of surveillance I’ve enjoyed. When I mentioned that I was going to write this article, my daughter was amused. She has witnessed my people watching over the years and can’t quite get into it. She’s young, I’m giving her time….


Kathryn Crawford Wheat


WomansInSite.com

New Year's Resolution

Undeserved Forgiveness.

 Wow, those 2 words together are powerful! I believe that God grants us undeserved forgiveness and that, in turn, we are meant to allow the same for others.  Actually doing it .…..well that’s the hard part. As a Christian, I know and believe that it’s possible to achieve this but I can tell you that it’s something that I have to continuously work on. And perhaps it will be a lifelong journey. Every time I think I’m getting close, I’m tested again and realize that I’m not quite there.

 “Forgiveness is a beautiful word until you have something to forgive.” C.S. Lewis

 There will always be people who will let you down and things that just aren’t fair in life but it’s not up to us to set it right. You have to keep going and remain positive.  Letting those people and situations get to you will weigh you down and prevent you from living the life that God has for you. Holding onto pain serves no purpose. Can you imagine the freedom that comes from truly abandoning of all of the bitterness and feelings of disappointment of things past? What a release it would be!

And if I’m being really honest with myself, I must acknowledge that the things that have hurt me in the past aren’t so horrible.

Yes, some of them caused a tremendous amount of tears and are taking a lot of hard work to overcome. But when I think about the people that have found a way to forgive rapists and murderers…….my transgressors pale in comparison. I can't begin to comprehend how one forgives that kind of horror. And I thank God that I haven't had to work on that level of forgiveness. I have been blessed and am thankful.

As I get ready to start a new year, I think about all the baggage I can choose to leave behind or to carry with me into 2012. What a great resolution to make! Talk about losing weight……this will really lighten the load, the load on your heart and soul. So I challenge you to make this a New Year’s Resolution for 2012…..forgive someone who has not asked to be forgiven, who hasn’t even admitted to doing you wrong, much less deserves to be forgiven. That doesn’t mean you have to set yourself up for more abuse from that person but you can choose to forgive. Your forgiveness will impact YOU way more than it will them. It will set you free.

May 2012 be filled with many blessings of grace and mercy. Happy New Year!

Kathryn Crawford Wheat


WomansInSite.com

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