"Not my circus. Not my monkeys." Old Polish Proverb
Monkeys- how evocative. Barrel of monkeys- fun and frivolity. Monkey business- mischief. Monkeying around- goofy, playful.
In the energetic, larger than life vibe of the circus, monkeys make for hijinks and chaos. And the man in the top hat is supposed keep things under control without spoiling the fun. The ringmaster is in charge of the show. He keeps the performers on schedule and on task. And if something goes haywire, it’s his job to fix it. It’s his circus. His monkeys. The audience watches. And no matter how much something needs fixing, the audience is off the hook.
What a relief!
The same is true outside of the big top. We often poke our noses in where they are unnecessary and ineffective. And not having any business doing what we’re attempting to do is stressful and not the least bit helpful.
So next time you encounter metaphorical monkeys in a circus, check to see if you’re the ringmaster. And if you’re not, no matter how crazy, chaotic and confused the situation, remind yourself, “Not my circus. Not my monkeys.”
About the simian assemblage pictured here… they are my monkeys! They’re a playful reminder that if it is your business, quit trying and start doing.