Greener Grass - Real or Fake?

The grass IS greener on the other side of the fence!  But it might just be fake....

Last week while I was out on a property that I manage I was watching our landscape company paint the grass.  Yes, you heard me, they were painting the grass green. 

You see, it is winter here and the grass is dormant, but this community is at the beach and is a higher end resort community.  Many of us who live in the area call it a "bubble."  Our job is to make everything as perfect as possible, even the grass.  The snowbirds don't flock down here just to see more brown grass.  And while winter rye is an option, due to the boardwalks/walkways we didn't want those seeds sprouting up in between walkways.  So painting is the most viable option in this case until it's time for the grass to come out of it's dormant state.

However, this started me thinking on how many other areas in life that instead of dealing with the real issues we cover it up so that externally it looks healthy and green. Yet underneath it is brown, dead or dormant. I've really gotten into word meaning lately so looked up the definition for dormant.

dor·mant  [ˈdôrmənt]

 

ADJECTIVE

(of an animal) having normal physical functions suspended or slowed down for a period of time; in or as if in a deep sleep:

"dormant butterflies"

"the event evoked memories that she would rather had lain dormant"

synonyms: asleep · sleeping · resting · inactive · passive · inert · latent · quiescent

antonyms: awake · active

• (of a plant or bud) alive but not actively growing.

So to have a dormant area in our life means we have an area that is still alive, but it is inactive, not actively growing and/or suspended from it's normal functions.  To revive these kinds of areas takes work, time and effort.  Sometimes it takes an external boost, like fertilizer or extra nutrients, or in practical terms things like counseling or small groups.  * Disclaimer: there are times in our lives where a period of inactivity or rest is needed for future growth.

 

Covering the grass in green paint is very much like the definition of mask: "a manner or expression that hides one's true character or feelings; a pretense." 

 

Obviously not everyone that asks us "how are you?" truly cares or wants to hear a real answer.  But it is important that we learn to be real with ourselves first and foremost.  From there we learn to be real with God, with our spouses and with a mentor, sponsor, accountability person or a trusted friend.  And who knows, you may just find out someone else has been there, done that, before you and can turn out to be an asset and source of strength you never expected to find.

 

"When you show up authentic, you create the space for others to do the same." ~ unknown

 

"Be careful who you pretend to be, you may forget who you are." ~ unknown