“Why You All Up In My Kool-Aid…”

“…and you don’t even know the flavor?”

The professional interpretation of this slang would be:

“Why are you prying into my personal business, without understanding the details?”

Kool-Aid is a brand of flavored drink mix owned by Kraft Foods. Kool-Aid is usually sold in powder form, in either packets or small tubs. The drink is prepared by mixing the powder with sugar and water (typically by the pitcher-full). The drink is usually served with ice or refrigerated and served chilled. Most consumers know Kool-Aid for its advertising character the Kool-Aid man. Original 6 flavors were: Cherry, Grape, Lemon-Lime, Orange, Raspberry, & Strawberry. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kool-Aid

Urban Dictionary defines this phrase as: “all in my business....nosey...not minding your own business; slang for someone who is in your personal space and or business” http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=all%20up%20in%20my%20kool-aid

This question is often posed to inquiring individuals, especially those offering “unsolicited advice.”

Oftentimes, we need to assess our own “Kool-Aid”:

Is It The Right Flavor? Cherry or Grape?

Are you making the right choices for yourself? Should you say YES or NO.

Is It Too Sweet?

Are you suffering from “the need to please?” Sometimes, being authentic can appear a bit tart, but at least it’s real.

Which Sweetner? – Sugar, Splenda, or Stevia?

Is your truthfulness Straight-Up; Artificial, or Natural?

What is the Right Amount? Cup, Glass, Pitcher?

A dear friend of mine advises me often: “You don’t have to tell everything that you know.” Sometimes you should only share a small amount; some of it; or all of it. This would be dependent on your level of trust for the other person.

Brene’ Brown, PhD, in her book The Art of Imperfection offers: “You share with people who have earned the right to hear your story.”

Matthew 7:1-5 (NKJV) gives very clear directions on “minding your own Kool-Aid.”  It says:”1 Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. 3 And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? 5 Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”

One of my favorite quotes from a sermon by a beloved minister, the late Bro. William Niles was: “If we all spent 6 months out of a year tending to our own business and 6 months staying out of everyone else’s, we’d all be just fine.”

Other Important Points to Note Include:

 "Be careful who you open up to. Most people don’t care. The others are just curious.” – unknown

“Instead of criticizing someone else’s garden, pick the weeds from you own.” – unknown

“A lot of problems in the world would disappear if we talk TO each other and not ABOUT each other.” – unknown

Best Practices:

People will stay out of your ”Kool-Aid” if you stop giving it away.

This could start with NOT “airing all of your business,” especially on social media platforms, such as Facebook. I am often amazed when I hear on the news that “Celebrity X and Celebrity Y are breaking up after 10 years of marriage. They are asking for privacy at this time.” Are you kidding me? You just made your business public, yet you ask for privacy? SMH (Shaking my head)…

No matter how great you make the “Kool-Aid,” there will always be those who don’t like it…period.

Some people tend to be obsessed with other peoples’ lives, as a distraction of avoiding their own. They will never be satisfied with your success or great news, because it will be a direct reflection of their own insecurities. Love them, but keep it moving…

Beware of “making unnecessary Kool-Aid”

Sometimes, we create “business-worth-buzzing-about” by our reckless living, poor choices, and “loose lips.”  In the slang of our youth: “Don’t start nothing, won’t be nothing.”

Remember…No matter how “fabulous” someone’s life appears, you can rest assured that EVERYONE is managing life’s challenges.

If we focus our attention on the LORD and this precious gift he gives each of us individually called LIFE, we really won’t have time to focus on others…