Sir Froggie

Sir Froggie’s Pondering
Ancient Amphibious Wisdom for a Modern Day World

EVERYTHING MEANS SOMETHING TO SOMEONE

Has someone ever given you a gift which felt really special? What do you own that has significant meaning to you? Do you know what has meaning to your loved ones, friends and co-workers?

Everything means something to someone.

Sometimes we look at something and it seems useless to us. Yet someone else may view the same object as a priceless treasure. Why? Because of what it represents or the meaning attached to it.

What has significant meaning in your life? What do you value and honor? Does it hold the same meaning to those you care about? What has special meaning for them?

Is there anything you or a loved one is dealing with which has a negative meaning? Is there a different meaning you can associate it with? Can you create a brand new meaning for this particular situation? How? What is being done to resolve things?

The meaning we perceive in something may come from a variety of sources. Many items gain meaning through memories or personal experiences. When I see orange poppies or colorful tulips, I think of my grandpa who planted these beautiful flowers in the backyard of my childhood home. Hyacinths remind me of a beloved feline who adopted me after finding pleasure in a purple hyacinth I set outside the back door. A good friend has a single serving of over-sized silverware which belonged to his belated uncle and reminds him of wonderful summers spent at his uncle’s cabin by the lake.

Meanings may be donned from “collective consciousness” or what large groups or cultures come to believe about something. For example, a cross generally means Christianity while a six pointed star often represents Judaism.

Sometimes different cultures interpret the same thing to have significantly different meanings. In the United States, extending one’s arm out with the hand held up generally means “stop!” But in some Middle Eastern cultures this same hand position could be taken as a rude and profane gesture! A rabbit’s foot might represent good luck to one person, but the rabbit, a vegetarian or someone else with a pet rabbit might not feel very positive about it.

Meanings can be derived from historical data, geographical locations, family settings, friends, and the media. They can come from scientific, religious, work, or educational environments. Meanings can crop up from just about everywhere!

We all have different meanings for everything we experience. While variety is the spice of life, it helps our relationships if we understand what meanings we, and those we communicate with, attach to things consciously and subconsciously.

When we are aware of others’ feelings and interpretations, it’s easier to relate to them and understand them. When we are respectful of those things which have significant meaning to them, it shows we honor their feelings and what they value. And vice versa.

There’s no need to become a walking Webster’s dictionary or to learn every meaning for every word a person speaks. But it is a good idea to learn about those things which do hold significant meaning to others – as well as ourselves.

Everything means something to someone.

Visit Sir Froggie’s homepage at: http://www.sfpnn.com/sir_froggie.htm

E-mail Sir Froggie or JMP

If you like Sir Froggie's Ponderings, sign up to receive the corresponding cartoon! Visit http://www.sfpnn.com/subscribe_to_pnn1.htm and enter your e-mail addy under Sir Froggie’s Ponderings and click the Subscribe button.

"Even pond-scum has a purpose for sustaining life -
Think what human beings are capable of!"