The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence

Where did that saying come from, and what does it really mean? Well for the scientists out there I found this re-wording...

The herbage is customarily more verdurous on the diametrical selvage of the property barrier.

Do people actually use the words verdurous and selvage? Anyway, I guess its a proverb that people use to express their discontent with the current situation(s) in their life. I do know that in my life, I often find myself thinking that someone else has it better than me. Lately, I've been thinking about my career path and whether I should make a change or not. In my mind, I think things have to be better or at least different than the current situation, but do they really?? I think when things don't go your way; you have a demanding boss, or unattainable deadlines, or more stress than you can handle, things always look better elsewhere. But I would have to guess that similar situations have to occur on the other side of the fence.

I struggle with how to resolve that conflict. Do you make a change, and then later realize that the things are no better, or do you not make a change and constantly wonder how green the grass really is on the other side. In some aspects of my life, like my marriage and family, I have no doubt about the greenness of my grass (on most days!), but in others, I'm just not so sure.

In contemplating this issue, I came across a quote from a book by Robert Fulghum that probably sums it up the best....

"The grass is not, in fact, always greener on the other side of the fence. Not at all. Fences have nothing to do with it. The grass is greenest where it is watered. When crossing over fences, carry water with you and tend the grass wherever you may be." -- Robert Fulghum, in It was On Fire When I Lay Down on It, Ivy Books, 1989

I need to keep that in mind....