A New Anthem, Perhaps?

"Stay Outta My Business"

When I was a little girl, about a thousand years ago, I was wagging my tongue about something or somebody or other. I’d heard something that somebody said that somebody told me, so decided I should share with my mother. I was little, learning my way in the world, but this? A big no-no, which I was soon to find out.

My mother, who listened for a minute or two, finally interrupted me. There had to have been at least a “tinge” of that satisfaction in my voice that you get when sharing something about someone else…And my mother was having none of it.

As I said, a big no-no in my mother’s house.

Why are you talking about (whoever the heck it was I was talking about)? she asked. How would you like it if they talked about you behind your back?

But Ma…yadayada.

But nuthin’, she said.

But Ma…blahblah.

Making excuses, I was.

Looking at me with that look that only mothers can muster: “You listen to me, Kathleen. You just stop it. It’s none of your business. Never mind what other people are doing…and then gossiping about it. How would you like it? It’s none of your business. You have enough to do to keep your own backyard clean. Understand?”

At that moment, I actually didn’t understand. My own backyard? What? I envisioned our actual backyard…When my mother explained to me what she meant by “backyard,” the little light bulb in my little head went off, “Ohhhh…OK…”

Remembered forever…and it’s a credo I’ve tried to live up to.

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Fast forward and we’ve devolved into a “culture” that does nothing but mind others’ business — while patting ourselves on the back for it. “We care, doncha know?” Whether here or abroad, we have a “culture” of sticking our noses in others’ business and thinking we’re all that for doing so. We bring “democracy.”

Take the COVID operation, for instance. At ground level, day-to-day, what was that but our fellow “Americans” sticking their noses in others’ business? What was it when “Americans” demanded to know the health status of their neighbors and co-workers and then made that a condition of employment, as just one example?? Caring?

Was it minding their own business? Was it worrying about themselves and deciding for themselves? And leaving others free to do as they saw fit? And not talking about them as if...? In other words, did they mind their own business and keep their own backyards clean?

No.

In others’ business. Gossiping and finger wagging and self-congratulating all the way.

That is how far we’ve devolved. Imagine what the world — or at least “America” — would have been like if at the slightest hint of this indecent conduct the majority (vs. what happened) would have said to the governors and cops and their neighbors and co-workers, “You mind your own business”? And stood by it?

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A New Anthem? A New Theme Song?

From the most recent episode of New Zealand’s “Brokenwood Mysteries,” television series, I leave you with our new theme song, perhaps. At the conclusion of the episode, hubs and I got to hear this gem. By Canadian singer/songwriter (now living in New Zealand) Tami Neilson,

“Stay Outta My Business”

Words to live by. Words and music to rebel by. Just over three minutes. Turn your speakers up…and wait for those horns…

Timeless message. Mind your own business. You’ve got enough to do to keep your own backyard clean.

Takes courage. Discipline. Commitment to timeless ideals. Are you listening, America?