A to Z Challenge - J

A to Z Challenge – J

J is for Just…Hold on JUST a second, I am JUST getting to that, I will JUST be a minute, JUST set that down right there…JUST!

I spent the day thinking about how many times a day I hear JUST – I am not going to tell you that I counted them all, because I didn’t, but I will say I heard it a lot. In so many variations. I even caught myself saying it…

How can a word, an adverb and adjective sound so negative to me? Maybe it is my experience with it – maybe, JUST maybe! People use just to justify everything – customers in line, co-workers, friends, and family…listen to it, listen for it.

I did and what I realized is I am going to be very, very careful when I use this word. It can be a wonderful adverb – “exactly or precisely: This is just what I mean.”  or it can seem demeaning, “only or merely: He was just a clerk until he became ambitious.”

I can think back on how many times I have said, “Just a minute!” or “Hold on just a second!” even to my own kiddos, and I have never gotten back to them in that second or minute…it makes me sad. I didn’t mean to let them down or put them off, but I did. What a lost moment.

How many times have I promised myself, “Just one more bite.” Or “Just another sip.” Or “Today is just Monday I’ll start tomorrow.” Or “Just 5 more minutes of sleep…” Too Many to count – way too many!

Starting today, this minute I am going to try not to JUSTify anything like that – if I use the word JUST I want it to be in reference to something exact, or right. I want to be JUST in the right way! I think we should all strive to be that – exact, righteous, proper…not only or merely, or by a narrow margin. (BTW – Thank you dictionary.com!) It is something to shoot for, right? Don’t just shoot for the moon when the stars are within reach….(merely, only!)

Life moves fast, so fast. We have quick conversations in the car with loved ones on our cell phone, a text message to let someone know we are thinking about them – we just reach out the best way we can….but is that a MERELY or ONLY?! Or are those small things JUST the thing our loved ones might need at that moment…Exactly?!

And for now – I am again headed to bed…Just in time!

Live, Laugh, Love ~

Vanilla Mama

BTW - In the pursuit of protecting the innocent from the Vanilla Mama - I have not mentioned two VERY important people whose names start with J. If you know me you know wonderful hubby and Frosting both start with J...but I couldn't focus a post on them, but I JUST wanted you to know!