Rick Patrick
Columnist
There are many times that inspiration for our weekly visits comes from unexpected sources and at unexpected times. For that reason, I find myself on a constant lookout for ideas. I am always thankful when those bits of inspiration make their way into my often unreliable consciousness. One of those such inspirational gems came from a co-worker earlier today. We were conversing back and forth via our online messaging service and I said, “not my monkeys, not my circus.”
I had heard that little gem of wisdom a while back and I thought it sounded clever. I thought it was a good way to express that something is simply not a big concern of mine, primarily because it has little to do with me. She suggested I use that as the basis for a column. I immediately thanked her and made mental note of it.
I am certainly one who needs a reminder that many things happen or appear that are not affecting me. There are times when I do tend to make other monkeys part of my own circus act. That can be very risky, because other people’s monkeys can be quite unpredictable. I have enough trouble keeping my own monkeys in line and performing in my own circus.
So, if you see any stray monkeys running around the Sunny Side, don’t bother me. They are not likely to be my monkeys, and not my circus.