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Interesting

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My grandmother used to tell me, "Don't just sit there. Make yourself useful as well as ornamental." She always made me laugh but I would get up and do whatever she asked me to do, of course, whether it be spreading the beds or plucking feathers off a just killed chicken. I knew there would be a good chicken dinner in store for that night.

Now, that was interesting to me. I had never considered myself ornamental and where she ever got that saying, I don't know but, she used it a lot when asking someone to do something for her. The old charm!

I am writing to the interesting side, but, I believe you can be interesting while you are being useful. Perhaps, you know a shortcut and better way of stacking dishes or beating rugs. Don't you believe you could share your way while helping do things another's? Of course, you could and if they consider your way easier and more convenient, then good for you!

And, even if they don't, at least you tried.

I have often heard that no one wants you hanging out at their house while they are working unless you have come to help or can be useful to them. Now, that can be true unless, you haven't seen them in a while and happened to be in the neighborhood and decided to stop by. More than likely, they will take a break and visit for a while, then show you what they are working on and invite you to supper. It's possible you will know what's being done and can discuss it with them at supper, maybe offering some tips. He might be working on his boat that ya'll used to party on.

And then? "Sure, I'll come in the morning and help you finish it up. No problem." You can renew your old friendship again. It could happen..

Sometimes, it is just better to have company while working on something when another person can help out. That way, you can chatter or not, and be useful at the same time.

Of course, if you are painting or writing, what help would you need other than for someone to fetch another color paint for you or if you are at the computer, maybe they would bring something for you to snack on so that you don't lose your train of thought. So far, I haven't been that lucky. But, one of these days, I'm gonna shine!

However, when someone is in the process of doing something that takes their complete attention, being interesting would be way out of line there for you would only be a bother to that person.

Interesting and useful at the same time can work. It just takes the right place at the right time.

Learn more about this author, E. V. SHAW.
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