MYOB

Howdy!

As I came up with the title for this article, cute thoughts like BYOB and OMG came to mind. Okay I know you are wondering, so what, we know what they mean but what does MYOB stand for and what is the purpose of it? Well folks, I will tell you and believe me, once you read this, those initials will be like a walking mantra to you.

Remember when we were kids and we would listen to elders talking about everything from church to church folks? We would sit back and wonder what and whom were they talking about and why these folks were doing what they were doing. So with our litle inquisitive (enquring?) minds and mouth, we would ask. Our elders would look at us with amazement, then with a stern look that questioned our existence and say "Chile, it ain't yo bizness!" We looked at them, feeling so bad as they further told us to go outside and play somewhere. We didn't mean any harm, yet to them, it was not our place to ask about other folks comings and goings.

As we got older, we found ourselves in those same situations, especially around the water cooler at work, lunching with our friends or even seemingly innocent reading gossip blogs or listening to the latest 411 on the radio. It all seemed as though we just wanted to be "down with the program" or being on the pulse of what was happening. As it turned out, those seemingly innocent things we were doing blew out of proportion. It further lead us or others to investigate those folks lives we gossiped or snooped about by way of directly asking them (celebrity/non celebrity) or carrying the tidbits further by way of email and cell phone. Some bold individuals even attempted to try and "fix" loved ones in efforts of "just helping."

When it was all said and done, the tidbits carried turned out to be lies or much worse reputations were ruined. Well meaning people who just wanted to help got tongue lashings I would not repeat on this page or sued for harassment. Ok, I was guilty of trying to help and as far as carrying stuff, I did that in high school as a way of being "down with the crowd" and that hurt more than helped.

As I grew in awareness, I realized that by having good intentions for others, I missed the boat in creating those for myself. While I was attempting to fit in, it was the wrong size and lastly, alot in my life which could have gotten improved didn't. A great metaphysical teacher, Catherine Ponder said that when you display charm, then those skeletons in your closet won't get rattled because you aren't rattling other peoples. Louise Hay, another favorite teacher said that what ohers do with their consciousness is none of our business. We are each at the level of our own understanding.

Now, I keep those initials MYOB in mind when I am tempted to just trying to help, and when I read about folks were are newsworthy, I am dilligent about my views and use discernment instead of judgement. Yep, the elders had a good point when they said to Mind Your Own Business. It keeps you focused and disciplined; not only that there is less judgement and more empathy.

Sure, some things I may get a little ticked about, negative news, etc, but I now use better tools in dealing with the situation. MYOB, hmmm maybe BYOB could be Bring your own business instead of Brng your own bottle....hmmm. Thoughts?