The "Know-It-All" Neighbor

We can all be a "Know-it-All" sometimes. But what you'll discover when you know it all is that you're missing a lot.

Grasshopper Notes are the writings from America's Best Known Hypnotherapist John Morgan. His podcasts contain his most responded to essays and blog posts from the past two decades. 

Find the written versions of these podcasts on John's podcasting site: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1628038

"The Grasshopper" is the part of you that whispers pearls of wisdom that  seem to pop into your mind from out of the blue. John's essays and blog posts are his interpretations of these "Nips of Nectar." Others have labeled his writings as timeless wisdom. 

Most of the John's writings revolve around self improvement and self help. They address topics like:

• Mindfulness
• Peace of mind
• Creativity
• How to stay in the present moment
• Spirituality
• Behavior improvement

And stories that transform you to a wider sense of awareness that presents more options. And isn't that what we all want, more options? 

John uploads these podcasts on a regular basis. So check back often to hear these podcasts heard around the world. Who wants to be the next person to change? 

Make sure to order a copy of John's new book: WISDOM OF THE GRASSHOPPER – 21 Days to Creativity. These mini-meditations take you inside where all your creative resources live. And you'll come out not only refreshed but recommitted to creating your future. 

It's only $16.95 and available at BLURB.COM at the link below. https://www.blurb.com/b/10239673-wisd...

Also, download John's FREE book INTER RUPTION: The Magic Key To Lasting Change. It's available at John's website  https://GrasshopperNotes.com

Transcript

The Know-It-All-Neighbor

Years ago, one of the older homes on our block got a facelift. They were adding an extension, and they stripped all the old siding off the original house. New shingles went on the roof, new windows were installed, fresh siding — the whole deal. And they did a beautiful job.

Well, almost.

The chimney.

It’s was a brick chimney that had been there for over 30 years. And as the son of a bricklayer, I couldn’t help but notice — it was crying out for an acid wash to match the house’s new shine.

Here’s the part that got me: I noticed it every single day. For ten days straight. And I had the same inner monologue each time: “If you’re spending all that money on a remodel, why skip something simple like acid washing the chimney? Can’t the contractor see that? Did the homeowners even think to ask?”

Those were fair questions — once. Maybe twice. But ten days?

On day 11, it hit me like — yep — a ton of bricks. Nobody was gaining anything from my internal commentary. Not the contractor, not the homeowners, and definitely not me.

I already knew what I knew. Rehashing it nine more times didn’t make me wiser, and it didn’t change the chimney.

Here’s what I realized: a repeated thought with no action attached is just a stuck thought. And stuck thoughts take up space — mental real estate — and crowd out anything new.

But noticing the pattern? That’s the key. The moment I recognized the loop I was in, the door cracked open. I could finally let that thought go and make room for something different — something that came with an action plan.

I saw three options:

1. Tell the contractor.
2. Tell the homeowner.
3. Mind my own business.

Funny thing is, the chimney only gave me one automatic thought: Be the “know-it-all neighbor.” But just by stepping back and observing that stuck thought, I saw new possibilities.

So here’s my question to you:

What thought has been on repeat in your mind — and who’s it helping? 

Next time it shows up, take a moment to notice it. Just that act — observing instead of participating — gives you options. Real options.

Because thoughts alone don’t change anything. It’s the behavior that follows that makes the difference.

And if you want to stay stuck, just let the same thought play on repeat — unchallenged, unexamined, like an old stain.

You know, you might even be right. But being right never washed a chimney.

All the best,

John