Hi Everyone,
The Peanut Gallery. Hmmm. What can I say? We have all experienced it and been a part of it at some point in our lives. It’s true. And here is how I truly feel about The Peanut Gallery. This is what I mean.
Peanuts are legumes. They grow in dirt, in the dark. Just like every living organism, they need water. Water mixed with dirt become dirty water. Galleries are where people stand for periods of time, looking around and speaking in hushed tones. Then they walk around and whisper whatever nugget of wisdom they feel they must impart upon another. Sometimes people will stop and have more intimate conversations, more intimate viewings.
Peanuts are small. Dirty water is another way of saying gossip. Galleries are everywhere. So is The Peanut Gallery. They are a selected collection of two or more people who talk about others. The topic of conversation is rarely positive. A negative of some sort has taken place. The Peanut Gallery gathers and begins discussing the what if’s, how are, who else, did you hear, did you know, I saw, they said, or any other question or statement that comes to one of their minds. And that is all they do. Even though every scenario has been discussed to death, thoroughly analyzed by all, if one person in The Peanut Gallery reacts to or acts on what is happening, it is a rarity.
I am telling you this because something happened to an acquaintance of mine. I was on my way to see them before I heard what took place on my way. What happened wasn’t life threatening, but it was stressful. They were visibly upset. If I were in that situation I would have been in the same or similar state of mind too. After talking about what transpired I, like a few others throughout the day, offered what little help I could. By the time I saw them, hours after, they had already made arrangements.
But here is the thing. I told them, “The Peanut Gallery is (where they were) talking about you. Did any of them offer you any help?” I was told one of them did. Other people outside of the closely knit Peanut Gallery sprang into action though.
So the question of the day is do you want to be a part of The Peanut Gallery, just talking about someone’s negative situation, someone’s misery? Or do you want to go to the source, clarify what you heard, and then act on it? Do you want to make someone’s life easier when they are having a hard time? I know what my answer is.
I will say this, even though The Peanut Gallery doesn’t do much else than talk, they do serve a purpose. I was just walking by when I heard what happened to my acquaintance. Others earlier in the day heard snippets from The Peanut Gallery. The point of difference is, we did, or at the very least tried to do something to help someone help themselves. Only one person from The Peanut Gallery did!
Eleanor Roosevelt said, “Great minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events, and small minds discuss people.” Small minded people are known for having a mind the size of a peanut. Sometimes you just have to call them as you see them.
Thank you for reading, A. Rebel’s Rant! ;D
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