I am Faced with Another Greater Challenge

• The story as follows:

She is a friendly person but in a fake way.

I did not know much about her but after noticing her recent behaviors.

I finally saw her for nothing more than fake and envious person.

I have tried to be friendly with her but just can't get to that point of having a meaningful friendship.

A kind of person who feels her way means more than that of another.

It all began when I saw her true being.

Some time ago, we were invited to a next door neighbor's home for supper and the host was hospitable and very friendly.

He insisted on pouring out whiskey drinks to most who liked the strength of alcohol.

The woman stood by and asked me a question which I was quite surprised by.

• ''Shouldn't your husband bring his own whiskey here?''

I did not expect her to ask me such a question.

The neighbor invited a few people to his home for supper that evening. He did not mention that anyone should bring their own whiskey or other drinks.

It would have been an insult if anyone did bring their own drinks.

It is cultural in our region that nobody has to bring their own beverages or alcohol drinks to any event.

It is not a gesture at all times.

The woman felt the need to mention it.

The host does not know about it and I felt frustrated by her question.

I know it is not her place to talk about it.

I don't think it was right for the woman to ask the question. It was not her home.

If anyone had something to say the owner of the house had all the right to open up to that kind of a conversation.

Since then I feel the woman is not worth my time. I have seen too much of her annoying behavior and I am better of not being with her.

Months later, we were invited again to the neighbor’s place and I had take our own whiskey. He was not pleased about it. In fact he was offended by us showing up with our own whiskey, and I did not mention why.

Though he did ask why, and I failed to mention it.

A friendship supposed to be true and meaningful and I don't see that with her.

The envious acts have showed me more about her.

She has not spoken to me in a while and has a different opinion of me she has a chip on her shoulder.

• I can't be what I am not and I am not a fake person.

I believe in being true to me and to others.

Making the odd visit to someone and to pretend it is all okay when it is not, well, that is definitely not me.

Living that life with pleasing others all the time has never been part me and will never be.

I have learned so much more about the small community I live in that the more I see the more I don't want to be with such people.

Life is short and I don't sweat the small stuff but when someone such as her who is often out of line and so envious it can get to me at times.

The question she asked was not spoken of and she remains silent about it.

The next door neighbor is blinded by her cunning habits.

The change of color in her face shows her true jealousy.

You know when you tell someone the good news or let them know of how well you are doing and the sudden change in their faces shows right away. It tells you everything you need to know about them.

In my opinion that means jealousy. The change in her face has showed me more about her lousy character.

There are all kinds of people in this world only when you come across such individuals will you know their true being.

• Do you agree?

I have seen that during many of conversations with her.

• Have you had such experiences?

The next door neighbor has a close friendship with this woman and her husband but he does not see her spitefulness. I feel for the way he is so attached to her. Also, his wife does not see the side that I see of her.

I know that she can't be what I am and she will always be envious toward me but that won't stop me, from being me. She can't change the way I am and that is what makes me much happier with me.

I see people for who they are right from the first impressions. Once I know what my gut feeling is telling me, I either continue seeing that person, or don't bother at all.

When I first met this woman she did not give me much of any good vibes and this is why I can't have that true friendship with her.

The gossiping lifestyle that she has lived by is not connected with mine that alone shows me how different we are and making friends has never occurred to me.

Living close by does not mean that I should lick up to her for anything.

We are different people, in culture, mentality and so much more which puts us in another world of life.

• I have often been asked the question:

• Where is it better to live, in Croatia or in South Africa?

A question that is most difficult for me to answer.

I love my home back in South Africa where I spent most of my life until my thirties, and now I am living in Croatia where I had grown to accept certain parts of my new life living here.

I answer truly that South Africa is better for me.

There are many differences in both places and I like both places but for different reasons.

The local people don't understand what I mean and feel I am wrong about my answer. To them I am supposed to say Croatia is better for me.

In all I said here and have thought of my life has become more challenging and I am very happy in my own way.

I have met many people and know I can't change them so they should not try to change me.

I am just trying to be me if they can't accept it, then I don’t care.

She is most envious when she notices our improvements and right away tries to do the same or something in her home that can show some improvement.

Everybody can try to have what others have, but what people don't realize is not everyone can have everything of the same. The more they try, the more they would fail to comply with their actual needs.

Choices are made according to what one knows of and of what are good for them, and with intelligence and different lifestyles people build their lives uniquely.

Envious people don't see that all they see is competition.

• Inquisitive and curious!

She is often that way the need to know what is going on around the neighborhood.

My life is my focus.

I don't get into the lives of others.

• If you were faced with this kind of person what would you do?

• How would you handle such situations?

• Do you think the neighbor should be told about the question asked?

Life is challenging day by day and I choose to go on with great pride.

Words spoken can't be changed or taken back always choose your words carefully before throwing it out to someone.

A simple question asked is sometimes so unnecessary but when someone feels the need to ask that question they doesn't waste time instead go right ahead and get it out of their minds.

• Should I mention the question to the next door neighbor?

• Would I be the bigger person in this situation or looked at as the problem-makers?

• What do you think?