Ever meet someone that appears too good to be real? You know the type; their words are so sweet, their disposition so cheery, their manners so thoughtful that they seem to have stepped out of a 1950’s family sitcom.

Immediately our minds (or at least mine) begin to question their genuineness. Can anyone really be so squeaky clean? We find ourselves (or at least I do) getting mildly irritated by their goody two shoes performance.

We find ourselves hoping to uncover a flaw in their armor or a skeleton in their closet or at least the thought crosses our mind even if we don’t entertain the notion. I suppose it is human nature to want to bring everyone down to our level. We are always comparing others to ourselves or, at a minimum, trying to understand others and their motives. Even when we do so without malice typically we are only able to understand others from our personal prospective or to the depth of our own understanding.

Sometimes those perpetually optimistic individuals have a sing songy way of talking and seem a bit unrealistic with their wide-eyed utopian approach towards life. Most notably they have a simplistic way about themselves. Some of us might describe the type as naïve or childish, (I used to) but in their defense I believe it’s because we envy them.

It seems our human nature is to categorize people; conceited, ridiculous, dumb, obnoxious, etc. We pass judgment, label and move on, accepting, tolerating, appreciating, and loving. Sometimes we tell ourselves I would never act the way that person does, which is ridiculous. Each person is an original and each situation is unique to that person. What we are really doing is demanding others to act the way we would.

The mind may be a terrible thing to waste, but some minds are a terrible thing of waste. Some derive pleasure from another’s misfortune or enjoy telling embarrassing or unbecoming details regarding an individual’s shortcoming, failure or predicament.

Of course we all know the worst behaviors are those that we don’t possess. Nonetheless we are all prone to a shortcoming or two…it is the way our minds are wired, but we can and should guard our thoughts, if for no other reason other than to be healthy. There is some medical evidence suggesting we cause ourselves physical and psychological harm from hostile thoughts. Therefore try replacing the negative with positive. Learn to accept and appreciate. I wish I could say it’s easy but the good things in life never come easy. 

Upcoming events:

Mark your calendar for a Library event on Monday when Moeller Brew Barn explains the differences between craft beers and even teach how you can make your own home brew. Feb. 6, the Vet’s Club will have an evening of karaoke (downstairs) with Orville 8 p.m.

This Thursday there is an open to the public bid euchre tournament downstairs at the Versailles Vets Club beginning at 7 p.m.

Happy birthday to Madison Simons, Jazlyn Lewis, Melanie Oliver, Kent James, Harold Langston Jr., Kent Treon, Bruce Hawkey, Michelle Jones, Saundra Shepherd, Angie Lyme, Levi Schultz, Kelly McEldowney, Betty Kremer, Caroline Nihla Turner, Isaac Ruhenkamp, Viola Schmidt, Gary Davidson, Brenda Pohl, Elaine Bergman, Holly Gower, George Treon, Chelsea Cannon, Ann Eiting, Lisa Magoto, Mary Jo Puthoff, Alyssa Minter, Jackie Kremer, Heather Zechar, Randi Smith, Karen Raterman, Betty Poeppelman, Brenda Hole, Ruthann Carity, Jennifer (Fourman) Bradburn, Christy Rhoades and Scott Armstrong. Happy anniversary wishes to Karyl and Jeff Woolery (13), Shirley and Allen Francis (32), Mary and John Rahm (38), and Nancy and Tom Subler (54).

Healing prayers and get well wishes for Trevor Luthman (appendix), Lester Bernholt, Linda Wilson, Joan Butler, Cyril Frantz, Jim Frantz, Norma Magoto, Marvin Godwin, Dave Francis, Kevin Bohman, Ann Paulus Pedersen, James Magoto (my brother), Harry Gorrell, Chick Conley, Dan Bertke, Dan Monnin, Betty Dotson, Kathy Miller, Betty Hess, Scottie Barga, Bob Longenecker, Josh Paulus, John Davis, Beverly Norton, Carl Drees, Dave Magoto, Alan Barga, Bob Homan, Kelly Bruns, Steven Youngker, Iris Nickol, Eileen Rahm, Robert Longenecker, Rita Wuebker, Merilyn Borchers, Yvonne Ridenour, Cyril Voisard, Wayne Pittsenbarger, Lois and James Youngker, Isabella Yakos, Brian Voisard Barb and Jon Agne, Samantha Smith, Michelle Ullom, Peggy and Jack Borgerding, myself, the hospitalized, home-bound and all those dealing with any of life’s many challenges who are in need of our prayers but not mentioned by name. Thanks, love and prayers to all the caregivers, volunteers, medical staff, prayer warriors, and kindhearted, such as Beverly Rhoades who gets her parents to all their medical appointments and attends to their needs.

Sincere sympathy to the family and friends of Jennifer Platfoot (44), Delores Brown (81), Dorothy Mangen (96), Earl Mumaw (100), also remembering the lives of Pete Mangen, Martha Rindler, Marilyn (Shappie) Parin, Nihla Davis, Gretchen Delzeith, and Joan Overman, also remembering the lives of Janice Schellhase, Ron Subler, Ruth (Subler) Monnin, Mary Ellen Livingston, Agnes Knapke, Josh Eilerman, Jeremy Mescher, Bill Cromwell, Aaron Condon, Bec Berger, Marge McGreevy, Jesse Camacho, Dorothy Mumaw, Eleanor Hartzell, Gaynell Armstrong, Ken Gariety and Pat Bensman and all those in our hearts but not mentioned by name as the anniversary of their passing nears.

“It is not our differences that divide us, it is our inability to recognize, accept and celebrate those differences.” ~Audre Lorde

“Appreciation is a wonderful thing: It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well.” ~Voltaire

“Positive results never come from negative thoughts.” ~Gail Lynn Goodwin