An Uninvited Visit from the Just Family

For most of my life, I have been getting uninvited visits from what I refer to as "the Just family." They are not a real family, that is a euphemism that I have created to describe know-it-all advice givers who always use the word "just" when telling others what to do. They make everything sound easy to fix; and, they never consider what the person they are talking to may have already done to handle a situation. No, they know it all. They have all the answers and they are more than willing to give them to you.


Take, for instance, the situation of the family member with a drinking problem. This family member has stopped thinking clearly for some time, at least as long as they have been drinking. Anyone with an alcoholic family member knows that it is impossible to reason with them, mainly because they are not all there. They have been replaced by an alcohol-soaked brain. Now, let us imagine talking about this with some friends. Suddenly, someone overhears the conversation and steps in to advise you. Oh no! This person is a member of the "Just family." They begin to tell you how sad it is when a person has a drinking problem, and then tell you that it is your responsibility to change the person. How do you do this? Why, you should JUST sit down and talk with them. JUST tell them to stop drinking. Then everything will be JUST fine!


Oh really? Are we to believe that it is that easy? Is it true that all we need do is tell them to stop drinking and they will? Why, then, do we need rehab centers and support groups and twelve-step programs? Well, I will tell you why we need these places, we need them because it is not that easy! Yet, the "Just family" members believe that it is. The sad thing is, the family members are numerous and all-too-willing to tell people how to fix their lives by "just doing this," and "just thinking that," and "just..." Alright, I think I have made my point.


Why don't we give them all names. Let's see, the head of the family could be "John Just." He is married to a lovely woman, his wife of many years, "Joan Just." They have two children, their son, "Johnny Just" and their daughter "Janey Just." They even have a dog named "Justly." Now the town they live in is "Just Perfect." John Just has a management position with the AdJUSTment Bureau of the unJust. There he oversees the field staff to make sure that they are advising the rest of us (the unJust) in how to "Just" do everything right. He comes home at night to a house that is "Just" perfect, cared for by his wife. She "Just" whips up a perfectly delicious dinner. It is Just so easy.


Johnny and Janey Just are still learning the ways of the Just at Just Perfect High School where they study how to "Just" live a perfect life that will "Just" have no problems in it. They also learn how to "Just" tell the rest of us (the unJust) how to live our lives too! Isn't that wonderful! Needless to say, not many of the rest of us like these people very much.


Well, that is the first installment for the tales of the "Just family;" a short overview, if you will. You never know, there may "Just" be another story about them in the future! Goodbye for now, and "just" keep reading my blog. Sorry, that was a pun. You should, however, take a look at Mystic Monk Coffee, they have some good coffee and other gifts available.




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