this was so timely for me Elizabeth. i have been let down repeatedly for years by “handymen” who don’t show up in one way or another - they cancel without notice or apology. they’re late or leave early, job incomplete, they do a poor job and the list goes on. this most recent experience a few days ago made my thermometer pop! however, thanks to texting which puts distance and time between me and someone who upsets me, i did a reset on my temper and politely told this person my jobs are being put on hold for now, and thanked him for his time. then i took several cleansing breaths and am moving on. anger is exhausting and at 79 i’m finally learning how to conserve my energy for the important stuff and what really matters.
Excellent leading of your words..... And your spirit... When I was 16 years old and just received my driver's license I went with 3 friends to nearby Greensboro North Carolina to a supper club.. We had become big fans of a stand up comic and he was in our area so we spent all the money we had just about.. to go hear him and see him.. . Unfortunately we were prone to laugh at his style of comedy which was put down and hurtful... He did not let us down in terms of delivery because he used a quote that said "when someone's down kick them.."... I have remembered that all my life now and it has made an impression..... what a horrible horrible punchline.. I look around in the world in which I strive today and see people down and richer and more powerful people kicking them... The alert is going off that they're sad.. that they're in pain... are lonely... And their alert is going off... We have built-in God-given emotional detectors... How we use them determines good and evil... I would see that comedy punchline definitely not as catchy, but definitely more meaningful if there were no laughs at the end of the statement when he might have said, "when someone's down, reach and help them up..." Maybe the most important detectors that we have inside us are the ones that point us to love..to mercy...to "the least of these....to real emergencies...
Wow, you packed a lot of insight into this one. As I started reading, I initially thought a built-in warning device to help young women detect unhealthy relationships quickly would be particularly helpful. At least for me in those early years. Thank goodness that intuition also helps a lot.
Oh, Elizabeth, a contemplative basket weaving retreat sounds perfect; sign me up!
You are a lover of language, aren't you? Here is just one small example of your effective and joyful skill with words: "We need certainty detectors that squeal when someone is too convinced they’re right and grudge gauges that measure how much energy is being invested in what happened three years ago. I’m not sure how we’ll work out the technology for a self-righteous siren on social media."
You make me laugh and you make me feel proud of us humans!
Good advice. Pause. Breathe. Then react. I’m working on it.
this was so timely for me Elizabeth. i have been let down repeatedly for years by “handymen” who don’t show up in one way or another - they cancel without notice or apology. they’re late or leave early, job incomplete, they do a poor job and the list goes on. this most recent experience a few days ago made my thermometer pop! however, thanks to texting which puts distance and time between me and someone who upsets me, i did a reset on my temper and politely told this person my jobs are being put on hold for now, and thanked him for his time. then i took several cleansing breaths and am moving on. anger is exhausting and at 79 i’m finally learning how to conserve my energy for the important stuff and what really matters.
Excellent leading of your words..... And your spirit... When I was 16 years old and just received my driver's license I went with 3 friends to nearby Greensboro North Carolina to a supper club.. We had become big fans of a stand up comic and he was in our area so we spent all the money we had just about.. to go hear him and see him.. . Unfortunately we were prone to laugh at his style of comedy which was put down and hurtful... He did not let us down in terms of delivery because he used a quote that said "when someone's down kick them.."... I have remembered that all my life now and it has made an impression..... what a horrible horrible punchline.. I look around in the world in which I strive today and see people down and richer and more powerful people kicking them... The alert is going off that they're sad.. that they're in pain... are lonely... And their alert is going off... We have built-in God-given emotional detectors... How we use them determines good and evil... I would see that comedy punchline definitely not as catchy, but definitely more meaningful if there were no laughs at the end of the statement when he might have said, "when someone's down, reach and help them up..." Maybe the most important detectors that we have inside us are the ones that point us to love..to mercy...to "the least of these....to real emergencies...
Wow, you packed a lot of insight into this one. As I started reading, I initially thought a built-in warning device to help young women detect unhealthy relationships quickly would be particularly helpful. At least for me in those early years. Thank goodness that intuition also helps a lot.
I really enjoyed this. You have a great sense of humor and it’s just the perfect spoonful of honey.
My dogs help me manage my emotions because for some reason I never want them to suffer lol.
Let small stuff sizzle…
respond to signs of true mess.
Cricket would agree.
Oh, Elizabeth, a contemplative basket weaving retreat sounds perfect; sign me up!
You are a lover of language, aren't you? Here is just one small example of your effective and joyful skill with words: "We need certainty detectors that squeal when someone is too convinced they’re right and grudge gauges that measure how much energy is being invested in what happened three years ago. I’m not sure how we’ll work out the technology for a self-righteous siren on social media."
You make me laugh and you make me feel proud of us humans!