THE OBSERVATION BOOTH
OP / ED & PHOTO CREDITS BY ANDREA DIALECT
“A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.” (Proverbs 14:30)
MAMA ALWAYS SAID, “GIVE CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE!
(CASE IN POINT) – While riding on the bus the other day. I said to the three-year-old little one, “Oh, wow, look at the size of that lollipop that little boy has!”
The bigger one (10 years old) angrily interjects, “They sell those by my school. They’re only one dollar.”
I asked the bigger one, “Are you downplaying that kid’s lollipop, or are you merely informing us about how accessible they are?
He says, “I’m just letting you know how accessible they are.”
“I hope so,” I reprimanded. “Don’t you ever try to downplay what someone else has or who they are because you don’t have or are not. Always celebrate the other guy.”
Mere observation and playing Robin Hood. Yeah, right; who does this kid think he’s foolin’? The chronicles of a lollipop continues…
ZOOM ZOOM BABY
Jealousy *Enviousness* covetousness * desire * resentment * resentfulness bitterness* discontent* spite *begrudged * the green-eyed monster; But which one?
(CASE IN POINT) – The Netflix film “I Care A Lot” holds lessons on the dangers of the growing problem of elder financial abuse. With those 50 years of age and older controlling some 70% of the nation’s wealth, the likelihood of this type of scheme will only increase. Thank God there’s a God, or life would be hopeless. Check out this movie, and now for the other criminal…
I had been admiring the vibrancy of colors of a certain oversized tree bursting at its seams with Cherry Blossoms. It was planted slap dab in front of this particular Cathedral in the area I often admire.
When at a glance, the yellow sports car vied for my attention, and now my camera was pointed towards the compact convertible, and my pace aligned with the engine’s roar. At that moment, I was at the red light, which had now become a green light. But no one was in my rearview, so I had time to take those shots and then return to capture my initial focus. I could always play catch up and then double back, but I’d abandon that thought as I noticed a trail of cars, also transfixed by the red likely eating dust.
Still, I opted to stay the course; that hot ride was farthest from my mind. It was, parked right in front of the neighborhood bodega. So I parked, jump out with camera in hand; I caught that baby on all sides and was finishing up when the owner walked out.
We stumble into a bit of chitchat; after questioning, I was informed that one hundred thousand plus could cop me one easy. He and his baby had been riding this thing out for seven years. When asked about the condition of the right side of that drop top, he told me that when parked in such and such town on such and such street on a such and such evening, SOMEONE THREW LYE ON THE FABRIC ROOFTOP and seven thousand dollars was going to set it back straight.
I noticed there was a toy car its exact replica transfixed on the top of the dash as he opened the door. So it was obvious that that was his baby. I took my last snap, we had our last chat, and that was that. He jumped into that ride and zoomed away!
BABY, GET YOUR OWN
Envy is a heartbreaking emotion. It’s hurt insecurity, and loneliness disguised as anger, bitterness, and resentment. Becoming envious causes loneliness and isolation for everyone involved – the one experiencing the envy firsthand and the one that someone is envious of.
(CASE IN POINT) A Mississippi grand jury has declined to indict the white woman, Carolyn Donham known as Carolyn Bryant, whose accusation set off the lynching of Emmett Till nearly 70 years ago; most likely closing the case that shocked a nation and galvanized the modern civil rights movement. Still shocked?
I looked up a photo of her recently, and it wasn’t pleasant. I can’t imagine how flawlessly Karma has been banging on that head. So they don’t have to indict her; look at the face of reality and you’ll know that she’s already been indicted.
There are rules to this people. We are going to the wrong folk for retribution. Prayers ain’t begging and dragging to the ground and falling all over the place; Prayers must be decrees. AVENGE MY BELOVED NOW! Say it over and over and over again. PRAY WITHOUT CEASING.
With everything happening in the world now, it’s an understatement. We will be amazed by the results. We are spirit beings and going to man, particularly those who are kinfolk or in support of the perps. It is like trying to douse a fire by waving your hands. We must fight fire with fire. This evil is spiritual warfare. No need to talk to the little people; bring it to the head Honcho (GOD) and DEMAND He set things right!
VICTORY…Want some? Why sure you can have it. Candy crunch till that suga rush has you cheesin’ and gazing at the paramedics while you’re being slid on that gurney. You aint got to drop your head down low looking under your eyes at that other kid who lappin on that giant multicolored swirled lollipop with an extended tongue while he gazin’ your way. Though you’d been told before you left the house that you aint gettin’ nothin. Maintain that tight grip on ya mama’s hand; no need to go wet noodle. Cause, in this case, she’ll make allowances. Just focus those big ol’ browns up the road a pace or two, and you’ll find those same lollies sprawled out on a table lavishly displayed.
So that means that, just like his, it’s yours for the takin’. All you gotta do is step up and get it, and by the way, the next kid you run into while you lickin and a lappin on all that sweet generosity. Now don’t you go stickin’ your tongue out at em’ like that snotty-nosed little boy did to you. Be nice and point out the way for em. Be that kinda kid and you gonna come across those types of tables everywhere you go every single day. Take it from this older lady ’cause I know, I say, as I’m lick , lick, lickin’ on my lollipops!
MIRROR MIRROR
Is envy the same as jealousy?
Envy means discontented longing for someone else’s advantages. Jealousy means unpleasant suspicion or apprehension of rivalship.
(CASE IN POINT) Shanquella Robinson the 25-year-old North Carolina former student at Winston-Salem University arrived in the picturesque Mexican town of San Jose’ del Cabo on October 28 with six of her so-called friends. She was killed while staying in a luxury rental property in Baja Cali. A viral video surfaced of another woman beating Robinson as someone else recorded the assault.
Thus, the word friend is used too loosely. Real friendships are real when tried is true. So, strip down to ya birthday suit and reflect on this mirror, mirror moment. If mirrors reflect, then know that. Every and anybody that’s walkin’ around with a healthy dose of testosterone or estrogen pumpin’ in their veins shouldn’t. Placing much emphasis on it shouldn’t threaten our choice of being who we are. We must own up to what and whom we opt to be!
LITTLE ME
DADDY USTA SAY DON’T WORRY ABOUT WHAT NOBODY ELSE IS DOING; LOOK AT YOURSELF…
(CASE IN POINT) – A Mississippi woman is in custody after authorities believe she murdered her husband on Facebook Live. They arrested Kadejah Michelle Brown, 28, after believing she shot and killed her husband. Investigators believe the couple was involved in an argument that turned physical. The incident was captured on Facebook Live, and we can never forget this one…
Man live streams killing his three children, then himself. On Saturday morning, Oklahoma City officials responded to a welfare check near Hefner and Council roads. Police claimed Francoise Littlejohn, a 30-year-old father, left his home with his three children, then began live-streaming threatening messages to the children. Officers were working to locate the father and children when video footage conveyed Littlejohn entering the neighborhood in the 11300 block of Treemont Lane, where he killed his three children.
A few hours later, around 7:25 a.m., a jogger in the northwest Oklahoma City neighborhood quickly informed police after witnessing the vehicle with four bodies inside. The Oklahoma City Police Department identified the three children: Trinity Littlejohn, three years old; Aliyah Littlejohn, four; and Kyren Littlejohn, seven.
I WROTE THIS FIRST, BUT THAT TOOK PRECEDENCE. I CAN’T SAY THAT THE TWO INCIDENTS WERE BECAUSE OF ENVY. BUT MY SPIRIT WAS MOVED TO INCLUDE THEM HERE…
As parents, we mustn’t rob our children of their heroes. We mustn’t bad mouth those around us that have their stuff together. Anytime they are around, people who have made accomplishments to better themselves support it. If you must, go that extra mile and point it out when it’s not apparent to them. But, do not point it out if the person’s character does not complement that uniform or that hat. Please don’t, because that can be even more damaging!
As adults, we must own up to the choices we did or did not make in our lives. If we are not that example don’t rob them of it. Please allow our children and loved ones that example, even if it means a kick in the shin or a blow to our pride. The worst thing that we can do to our little Me’s is to have them sitting on that stoop of life as adults with a trumped-up sense of self and a boatload of self-pity lacking. The mug on that face will be donning a snarl, or they’ll be looking like a sad pup, as jeering while gazin’ at those around them who took from the coffers of life and made the grade. To make it, they must see examples of that!
IN A NUTSHELL, IN TIMES LIKE THESE, WE MUST HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD. WE MUST DEVELOP A PRAYER LIFE. WE MUST SPIRITUALLY COVER OUR WORLD, OUR FAMILIES, AND OURSELVES. THESE THINGS ARE SPIRITUAL, AND THIS IS WHAT SPIRITUAL WARFARE LOOKS LIKE. WE ARE SPIRIT BEINGS. YOU MUST UNDERSTAND THAT. MAY GOD KEEP AND BLESS YOU AND YOURS ALWAYS!
DID YA KNOW THAT…
AI SAID… Envy is a complex emotion that can arise when a person perceives that someone else has something that they lack or desire. Envy often involves feelings of resentment, bitterness, and longing, and can lead to negative behaviors such as gossiping, backstabbing, or sabotaging the person who is envied. Envy can also be a motivating factor, pushing a person to work harder to achieve their goals or to improve themselves. However, when envy becomes overwhelming or consumes a person’s thoughts and actions, it can be destructive to both the individual and their relationships. Managing envy requires understanding the root causes and learning to appreciate what one has rather than focusing on what others possess.
Jealousy – the state or feeling of being jealous; the desire to have a quality, possession, or other desirable attribute belonging to (someone else).
(“a sharp pang of jealousy”)
Envious – a feeling of discontented or resentful longing aroused by someone else’s possessions, qualities, or luck.(“she felt a twinge of envy for the people on board”)
Some of the characteristics that you might notice in an envious person may include behaviors like: refusing to celebrate another person’s success. finding themselves unhappy when others around them have success. finding joy when other people experience setbacks or failure.
“Do not fret because of those who are evil
or be envious of those who do wrong;
for like the grass they will soon wither,
like green plants they will soon die away.
Trust in the Lord and do good;
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
Take delight in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit you way to the Lord;
trust in Him and He will do this:
He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn,
your vindication like the noonday sun.” (GCU.EDU.COM)
The Observation Booth is utilized as a space for Andrea Dialect to stumble through, which aids in life and brand development. It can also be used by readers, subjects, and features to assist or advance our world or their own. It is a peek into one’s world from the outside. It is also for the development of content.
Everything printed here is in draft form; thus, error is welcomed and to be expected. Everything is constantly evolving, is her mantra. Seeing the work in printed format is the initial step and is quite valuable and therapeutic for developing all forms. Like Everything, Andrea Dialect uses this space as a test lab for test study and a test subject.
Here you will also find influencers, professionals, and muses who are considered “clay” who lend their image to change as doing us proud who are contributors to the upward progress of human progress. It is a platform for the growth, inspiration, motivation, and development of herself, her subjects, and her readers. Enjoy!
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