motivation

TalkingHeadJoe says—This “It’s Saturday” is nothing more than a rope-a-dope!  TalkingHeadJoe, you might be right.  Of course, that might be your opinion.  Everyone has an opinion and in America everyone has the right to voice their opinion (i.e. and they do).  AverageJoe says—Many opinions are no more than a lot of rattling with not much said.  Sooooo this “It’s Saturday” could be just that.  Sooooo take that into consideration when reading it. Suggestion—Don’t take me or yourself toooo serious!  You and I aren’t that important even though we think we are at times.  We aren’t; at least I’m not!

A friend told me this story about himself.  He owns a large number rental units.  One renter didn’t pay his rent for a couple of months.  He checked it out and found out he died.  He had no family or close friends.  He went into the unit and took out his cloths, his Bible, his bike and some tools and then the next day rented it another person as furnished.  He told the new renter--If you don’t like any of the stuff, the dumpster is out back.  That sorta kinda just hurts my heart as this guy “lived to day and gone tomorrow” and basically no one even cares.  Life just goes on!  Such is life.

I wanted to clean out the spices in our cabinets for maybe 5 years but never did it (i.e. our daughter and daughter-in-law said they were no good anymore and besides, I have done the cooking for the about the last 7 years and never used any of them).  Those are good reasons.  BUT I never cleaned them out until today.  Sooooo what motivated me to clean them out today?  I have no idea.  I remember a friend who told me maybe 20 years ago that his biggest motivating factor was failure (i.e. the world would say this guy is very successful and the public would never guess this).  Recently another friend told me that a huge massive shaping/motivating factor for him is—growing up with limited resources (i.e. the world would say this guy is very successful as well).  Saturday question—What motivates you?  Really!

I read this while eating my oatmeal with a half a banana on it--You need to set goals because they give you hope to keep moving and endure (i.e. motivates us). Job says, “What strength do I have left that I can go on hoping? What goal do I have that I would want to prolong my life?” (Job 6:11 GW). You have to have a goal to keep you going. A goal doesn’t have to be big to motivate you. For instance, if you had to have surgery, your first goal in recovery could be to sit up in bed. Then you might work toward standing up and then later walking down the hallway. All of those are very small goals, but they’re all important, because getting from where you are to success isn’t one big leap. It’s many small steps. A goal doesn’t have to be big to be important — it just has to encourage you to carry on. It appears that RickyRick is saying we need to have goals in order to be motivated.  I suggest we write them down and then check them off when completed (e.g. clean spices out of cupboard, check ha ha).  

Click those heels Dorothy! I really had to laugh; lol!  I was watching A-P basketball at the state tournament (i.e. streaming it).  An announcer said after something disappointing happened--That drives a coach to quitting and to go and sell insurance.  That is just what I did; bought into an agency and sold insurance and real estate for 34 years.  Do you know that you don’t need any education to sell insurance and real estate?  You just need to pass a state test.  I think that is really interesting.  Sooooo a person’s education has no effect on how successful a person will be.  Is that crazy or what.  It might depend a great deal on how motivated a person is.  I have friends who have made a ton of money with a high school education and others have failed with a master’s degree (i.e. that is how free enterprise works).  But beware—Only about 16% succeed in the insurance business!  LuckieEddie says—It’s all luck, magic!

I enjoy being around folks who are amazing to me.  Many of you are very interesting, unique folks (i.e. many of you folks are really something a.k.a. amazing—my opinion). You are not the vanilla flavor of the generic version.  You are different and very interesting.  I often wonder why you folks are as you are (i.e. you intrigue me).  I have no idea but there has to be a reason.  I have told you many times that I get bored easily.  If I would talk to the same type of person all the time, it would be very boring.  Some folks just have a lot more interests and are much more open minded it seems.  I realize that many of you don’t care to be around this type of person.  Hey, listen, you don’t have tooooo; you can stay in your little huddle or club and that is fine.  We are all different.  And that is ok.  Arlene’s Alzheimer’s wants her to like a very simple routine (i.e. very comfortable).  That is how her diseased brain works.  It’s easier for her. 

I read it in the paper soooo it must be right--The study shows that false information on the social media network travels six times faster than the truth…”fake new” speeds through Twitter “farther, faster, deeper and more broadly than the truth”…No matter how you slice it, falsity wins out…while true news stories almost never got retweeted to 1,000 people, the top 1 percent of the false ones got to as many as 100,000 people.  Is that crazy or what (i.e. maybe it’s just “false news”)!  What motivates folks to like stuff, that many times they know isn’t true; how gullible are we anyway.  Abraham Lincoln said—You can fool all the people some of the time, some of the people all the time but not all the people all the time.  BUT obviously if you want to get a point out there, make it a negative and false Tweet it; the juicer the better! 

Do you think we have mixed motives at times?  I mean part of our motives are good and part are evil?  I wonder as I wander. Jeff (i.e. anybody can be a Jeff) says—Qoheleth (i.e. a very unique person) says in Ecclesiastes that our motives are always mixed (i.e. maybe Qoheleth is noting paradox and ambiguity—concepts that disturb more than settle us). He’s saying there is a relativity to righteousness, that no one is good or wholly evil. To paraphrase a onesmartperson, the line between good and evil runs through the center of every human heart.  Soooo is Qoheleth saying there is some good and bad in all of us?  He probably has a motive for saying these things and making me think about it!

"Investment in knowledge pays the best interest." - Abraham Lincoln    Reading and encouraging your children to read should be a great motivating factor.  Children who have encouraging parents about anything, have a huge massive advantage (i.e. my opinion).  What do you think?  That is what I thought.  

It appears to me that to be a good leader, a person must be a good motivator.  If a person can’t motivate, they can’t be a good leader (i.e. that is in business, sports, church, family, whatever). Maybe folks have different methods of leadership in motivating but the good ones all can motivate (i.e. the good ones all do it).  Just look around folks.  Some folks just can, and others just can’t.  It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that out.  Just look around folks.  Don’t kid yourself.  Don’t fool yourself.  C’mon folks, face reality.  Why do some coaches seem to always win?  Why do some CEOs always make money?  Why are some teachers better? Da!

I have had many things change my life that I would consider both good and bad at the time. I sometimes didn’t even recognize what was going on.  How about you? Have you had such experiences?  Many of those events were not by my design or wish (i.e. they just fell in my lap).  I read this what Dr. J wrote—"Martin Luther’s mentor, Johann von Staupitz, assigned him the books of Romans and Galatians. While studying, Luther’s eyes were opened to the true Gospel message—salvation by grace through faith. This discovery was a Damascus Road experience for him, and he devoted his life to advancing the cause of the Gospel. We’re often on the road to life as we design it when God intervenes with storms, lightning bolts, mentors, and the Gospel message. Every one of us needs a Damascus Road experience. It may not be as dramatic as Paul’s or Luther’s, but we need a moment in our life when we understand and receive the Gospel.”  There are some strange and crazy motivations alright; about as crazy as some of us. Just crazy! 

CadillacJack asks--Is worry a motivator?  Do you worry?  How effective is it?  Are you just a worrier or a champion worrier?  What do you mostly worry about? Does worrying keep you awake at night? Does worry affect your personality?  Soooooo answer it again to me, why do you worry?

Stephen Hawking passed this week.  Some feel he was the most intelligent man on earth.  He was a physicist and a genius. He said this on intellectualism—"People who boast about their IQ are losers.”  I think what is very interesting is that he was fairly well rounded (e.g. he was funny).  He maintained a great attitude while having ALS for years.  ANYWAY, some say he was an atheist.  Some say he believed in God. I heard on the radio, soooo it must be right, that he said—We all see God differently.  He said this on the reason the Universe exists--“If we find the answer to that, it would be the ultimate triumph of human reason – for then we would know the mind of God” – A Brief History Of Time, published 1988.

I think of a friend often (i.e. I like him and probably will never see him again—I feel bad about that).  He says he doesn’t believe in God a.k.a. an atheist.  I don’t know for sure if he really doesn’t believe in God.  I really wonder.  I sense some feelings that part of him does.  He really makes me think.  Why do I really care?  I also know folks who are very indifferent to God (i.e. at least they act that way).  That makes me sad.  I can’t do anything about it (i.e. only God can).  I pray for these folks.  What will happen? I have no idea.  Billy Graham was asked, who are saved?  He said—Jesus Christ is the gate; no one comes to the Father except through me; but I am not the judge; only God can do the judging.  

Have a FUN day my friends unless you have other plans. (-:

erv

MyFriendJean says—In pleasure or pain, in sun or rain, in loss or gain, always be positive.

P.S. Those people whom we define as being wealthy get much more pleasure from owning substantial amounts of appreciable assets than from displaying a high-consumption lifestyle. That is what motivates them.  

odds are...

I realize that not all of you have been given full security clearance for highly classified information but I’m going to take a change with you guys in letting you read this “It’s Saturday.”  There is only one of you that I’m a bit concerned about!

ItchieBitchie says--Odds are if you think your friends, business associates, church folks, fellow employees, and folks you associate with are jerks, you are probably a jerk toooooo.  SusieQ says--ItchieBitchie, don’t make me think about such things; I don’t like to self-evaluate myself.  Flip the pancake, if you think your friends, business associates, church folks, fellow employees, and folks you associate with are great folks (i.e. high moral character, giving, honest, caring, loving and kind), you are probably the same.   GeorgeTheCrook says—Birds of a feather tend to flock together (i.e. what you think is what you’ll be).  Such is life.

I read this about a past client in his obituary—He served in the U.S. Army during WW II in the second wave of the invasion of Normandy and all throughout Europe, where he received many honors.  I didn’t know this about him and according to his obituary, his children didn’t either.  Odds are these experiences impacted his life.  Odds are that he was lucky to be alive (i.e. probably had been shot at many times).  Why do you think he didn’t want to share his experiences and thoughts?  What do you think?  That is what I thought. 

I’m starting to think that some of U.S. citizens are getting a little tired of poor use of their tax dollars.  It appears that they are wondering and voicing their opinions about use of tax dollars that is not producing (i.e. not getting any or a small amount of bang for their buck).  AverageJoe says—I have been saying this for years, but no one pays any attention to me.  Well, when there is plenty of money to go around, folks really don’t care (i.e. especially in a government situation—not my personal money).  Odds are there will be some changes as the national debt continues to increase; but when?  MissPerfect says—It sure seems like we waste a huge massive amount of money for bad ideas or for poor products and poor services—poor accountability it seems—tooooo many folks taking advantage of the system!  Will it change?  I have no idea (i.e. history doesn’t show it will—it appears the government gets bigger).  What do you think?  It probably depends where you are in the food-chain system maybe; who likes to see their “cash cow” die! When you wean the calf from their mommy’s easy milk, they baler a lot! 

A synonym for “bang for your buck” is “value for your dollar.”  Kohl's had a huge massive bedding sale (i.e. plus an additional 30% discount which made it like they almost would give them to us).  ANYWAY, we needed new sheets soooo I was standing in front of all the sheets knowing nutten about sheets other than there are a lot of colors!  There was a lady there soooo I asked her if she knew anything about sheets.  She said—a little; she told me about thread count and softness.  About this time her husband came around the corner.  I know this guy from previous business dealings (i.e. he is a real guy with a good heart; my kind of person).  He introduced his wife to me and said—you’re getting good advice as she is a world class shopper.  Soooo I asked her which ones I should buy.  She suggested these in the picture as they are the “best value for the dollar.”  Sooooo I bought them.  Her husband is a nice guy but I think she is even nicer.  What a hoot! 

This opinion comes from a person who is an authority of being average a.k.a. just a common person, a real AverageJoe.  I know this person very well. His name is ervie!  Folks, I have never been a star, always average so I think I know what I’m talking about, but you might not agree with what I am saying (i.e. just remember, it comes from just an average person). Odds are not good that an average basketball player (i.e. or anyone else for that matter who is average) is not going to be a star. Average basketball players just don’t have the potential if they aren’t quick, have the appropriate physical shape, have the proper attitude, and the ability. It doesn’t matter what you say about them or what is written about them in the paper.  It’s reality folks (i.e. average players seem to end up playing in the church league).  If you can’t make rain, you can’t be a star.  The great ones can; if you can’t, you are just average (i.e. a dime a dozen); and it must be done against other good players and not poorer players (i.e. anybody can do that).  That is just the way it is.  I can’t make Arlene well; it’s not possible (i.e. the odds are not good like 0% for folks with Alzheimer’s to get better).  As soon as I realized that and act accordingly, it is a lot better for Arlene and me.  That is the way it is even though it’s not the way I would like it (i.e. the odds are just what they are folks).  But folks, I have read that Billy Graham started out very average and even struggled; the odds didn’t look good for him (i.e. of course that was a God thing).  Such is life. 

It's boys’ state basketball week here in IA.  I just can’t believe how fast life moves along.  Many years ago, when Arlene and I just got married and came to Aplington, I taught and coached basketball for a few years.  I remember several games more than others (i.e. both games we won and lost--a fun time for us).  One of the games I remember was when we lost in 5 overtimes to the Dike Bobcats.  There was this skinny sophomore kid who just killed us (i.e. we couldn’t stop him).  BUT that skinny sophomore kid became my friend years later and has been a friend ever since.  It would have been better if that skinny sophomore kid would have been sick that night!  It would have been a W instead of a L!  Or maybe better coaching might have won it toooooo! But I still think it was that skinny sophomore kid that won the game!  A very good, fun memory. By the way, that skinny sophomore kid isn’t skinny anymore; he’s a real man! Folks, it was some 45+ years ago; odds are skinny sophomore kids grow up!

I read in the paper soooo it must be right that “Every two years, American competitors look to monetize their Olympic success through appearances, books, television shows and sponsorships. Unlike professional athletics, they have quick fame but in about 4 weeks their fame fades away.”  Soooo they need to get after it to make some bucks!  The paper said--Snowboarding sensation Chloe Kim, 17, might be the Games’ breakout star to capitalize on her fame the article said (i.e. when the grill is hot, that is the time to gill the dogs).  The reasons are her age and her authenticity in her personality.  Authenticity!  That’s being real folks (i.e. like Billy Graham).  Think about that.  While I was reading this, there were a couple in the booth behind me talking about a family member who they think she is really trying to fool everyone, but she isn’t (i.e. happenstance, na, I don’t think soooo). ANYWAY, the lady said to her husband—Everybody sees right through her!  Odds are that this gal is only fooling herself.  The other Olympians who didn’t get success (i.e. didn’t turn out like they would have liked it), well, they go home and practice another 4 years!  Such is life.

Odds are that many of you might not understand how much fun this was.  I had to put up a grab bar for Arlene by our bath tub.  I used a friend’s knowledge to help me find the studs and had to use another friend to use his carbide drill bit to drill through the tile (i.e. both worked just like on TV).  It’s nice to have friends who are talented and have tools (i.e. saves a little of time and money).  I don’t have all the newer style tools sooo I had to screw the 2 1/2” screws in with a screw driver (i.e. even had to put a glove on my soft hand as it hurt).  Seriously, I really enjoyed the whole process (i.e. the best part was the interaction with my friends (i.e. both are real folks with good hearts; my kind of folks).  If I would have asked them to do it for me, they would have. Yes, they would have. Wait until next time!!!!!

Warren Buffet is a unique guy and folks will seem to listen to him.  Why?  Because he is a very rich man and it seems like he has his head screwed on right (i.e. folks seem to listen to those type of folks).  He is certainly unique.  I read in the paper that when Warren Buffet was at U of I talking to business students he said--You gotta love your work; you can’t replace the relationships you build and the way you treat people with business knowledge; the most important job he had in life was raising his children.  Soooo why does he think this way do you think?  That is what I thought.  Odds are that he is unique alright!

A pickleball buddy told me that a group of long-time friends gave her a surprise grandma shower (i.e. she is going to become a grandmother for the first time). She was elated it appeared (i.e. I think it made her feel really special).  Her daughter, who is having the baby, wondered if she will have friends that would do that when she is that age.  My friend told her that she needs to speed time with folks now to make friends that will be long-time friends; it takes time and you must see them in person.  Do you think social-media friends are the same as long-time friends?  I really wonder if we are having a change in our culture.  Odds are we are, maybe.   

I read in the paper soooo it must be right that—We know friends make us feel good, but friendship is truly heart healthy; being connected, joking, talking and laughing all reduce stress; and stress is not good for a person.  Soooo how do we make good long-lasting friends.  Well, it takes effort and time for sure.  I think getting involved in a church is really a good way (i.e. my opinion).  Odds are pretty good in that setting. Where did you make most of your long-lasting friends?  Do you have any?  How many do you have? If you have none, start with your family.  Warren Buffet said this—No matter what you do professionally, you’re really going to be bound with the people you surround yourself with (i.e. family and friends I think he is saying).

If you have a bad attitude now or more often, here is an easy and fun way to change it—Experts say walking outside can be very beneficial.  Even 10 minutes of getting outside and walking around completely changes your attitude (i.e. just think how great you would feel if you exercised outside for an hour).  Sooooo throw those chips away and get your butt off the couch and get outside and get your kids outside tooooo.  Increase your odds.  Do it, just don’t talk about it. 

I just finished reading Living Life Backwards by David Gibson (i.e. I enjoyed the book).  It was recommended to me by my big sister (i.e. big only in years).  It is about Ecclesiastes, probably my favorite book in the Bible.  I read Ecclesiastes often and try to study it.  I don’t always understand it.  I find it very optimistic, but many do not.  I really like the “conclusion of the matter” after all the words of wisdom of the book.  The book just stimulates me.  Here are some words of Gibson’s book that I really like—"When we are not grateful for the little things, it is only a very short step to no longer being grateful for anything.  When we do not enjoy and savor and love and laugh and delight in the little things, then we are heading toward losing our delight in anything.” My opinion is that it is very important in my life to be humbly grateful to God.  When I become cocky and ungrateful, well, I’m not near as happy.  But the world really doesn’t want me to be that way.  Here lies the rub! Crazy!

Have a FUN day my friends unless you have other plans. (-:

erv

MyFreindJean says--Correction does much, but encouragement does more.

I don't know

I just don’t know but I read recently that estimates say that 90 percent of the world’s data has been generated in the previous two years or less (i.e. that is a lot of “big air” folks). Others note that currently more than one billion people log on to Facebook daily, and every minute more than half a million comments are posted on the site. Add to that the content from all other forms of social media, a thousand television channels, thousands of new books every year, and on and on. This is the “age of information glut.” We are awash in a sea of words.  AverageJoe says—Everyone gets their perspective from somewhere!

I just don’t know.  I read the book, The Stories of Ernest Hemingway, and in one of his stories he wrote this through one of his characters (i.e. I don’t’ know if he is talking about himself or not)—"Remember, that he who ruleth his spirit is greater than he that taketh a city.”  How smart are you? What does that mean?  That could be very thought provoking for many.  Does that make you think at all?  Hemmingway is a great writer but I don’t know.   What do you think? How does that affect you?

Here are some more words from another short story of Hemingway that are interesting—"It isn’t fun anymore…She didn’t say anything. He went on. I feel as though everything has gone to hell inside of me.  I don’t know, Marge I don’t know what to say.”  Sooooo what do you think of that?  That is what I thought.

I don’t know but I think…! What I think is that what I write isn’t always what my feelings and thoughts are but sometimes they are (i.e. how do you really know)!  Sometimes you guys read a lot more into my writing than meant to be and sometimes you miss my point (i.e. I think you don’t get it).  You might misunderstand me all together.  I think that is really interesting.  Words without body language are interesting aren’t they.  Some of you and I are more compatible than others and that is why you understand me as you do.  Those who totally don’t understand me, don’t read my writings at all (i.e. they read something else or nothing at all but watch “wrestling mania” instead.  That will work!  Such is life.

I don’t know but do you ever wonder if your life would have been different if…? I mean better or worse! Think about the positive "ifs" toooo folks. What are the “ifs” that you are thinking about?  Really!  I probably can believe but not understand all of your “ifs.”  Really, I don’t know if I can.  What is your #1 “if?”  We probably all have different #1 “ifs” I would guess.  Maybe not. I don’t know.  I asked a OneSmartPerson this question and she said—I do not remember wondering about myself.  I guess I just figured it was my job to make the best of wherever I was.  But I have wondered about some others. How their lives would be if they were raised in different circumstances.

I don’t know but I think I made a decision.  It was a tough decision for me (i.e. had a lot of emotions with it). I talked to somesmartfolks (i.e. some of you guys) to discuss the pros and cons from a more non-emotional thinking).  I admitted that I was sorta kinda messed up with all my emotions (i.e. I thought I wasn’t, but I was— ya can’t make a good decision when listening tooooo much to your emotions).  ANYWAY, I listened and think I have made a good decision (i.e. there seems to be more good than bad with this decision I think).  I meditated about it and prayed about it; I feel comfortable with it.  But I really don’t know for sure if it is the right decision.  I think I talked to the right folks but I don’t know!  ha ha   Maybe I just talked to the folks who I knew would give me the advice I wanted to really hear.  Such is life.

I went for my first bicycle ride this week.  It was colder and winder than I thought it was going to be.  It felt much better to turn around and have the wind at my back and going down hill (i.e. just like life). I talked by phone with a friend from MN who I met in AZ in an Alzheimer’s support group.  She has been a 24/7 caregiver for several years to her husband; she is a Believer (i.e. Believer in that she believes in Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior--do you think that makes a difference--I think it makes a huge massive difference in my life).  Sooooo how is it going—my husband is sliding (i.e. some ugly events)—how are you doing—my friends think I have changed; I don’t think soooo but they say I have—sooooo how are you doing—I have grown and I groan; some folks say I’m soooo non emotional; it might seem that way on the outside but on the inside, it’s a waydifferentsituation.  She is a great gal with a good heart; my kind of person. 

ItchieBitchie asks—Can you objectively evaluate your situation and adjust accordingly?  Can you make adjustments to alter your situation? Can you keep your emotions out of your evaluation?  What does it take to change ”whatever needs to be changed” to put you on the right trail? I don’t know the answers to any of those questions for you.  I need to answer them myself.  ItchieBitchie says—Self-evaluation is soooooo hard (i.e. many times maybe inaccurate).

MissPerfect asks--Can a person with a dour attitude change?  My opinion is I think soooo but it is very hard and quite unlikely: when that attitude is deeply ingrained into one’s brain, it is hard to change (i.e. it seems most die with that attitude—it might even get worse with age maybe).  But at their funeral, it won’t be said that so-and-so had a dour attitude but probably everyone knows it.  Don’t worry if you think you have a dour attitude, they will say something nice at your funeral.  Oh yes, they will.  They always do (i.e. even if it's a fake report). 

My college basketball coach at good old Northwestern College, Coach Myskens, said he wanted us to be hostile, mobile and agile.  Well, I’m not very hostile anymore a.k.a. competitive, I’m not as mobile anymore, and I’m not as agile anymore.  I guess what I’m saying is that I’m not as good as I use to be.  I know it and it shows.  A pickleball/golf buddy told me that every year his drives are 7 yards shorter.  I don’t know if that process will ever stop.  What do you think?  That is what I thought. I was playing catch with our granddaughter, Charlie, in their house when I was there (i.e. grandpa can get by with that).  It seemed that my reactions weren't as fast as they use to be—I can’t understand that.  What!!!  I mentioned that to a friend and she said--Hard to say...eyesight, cataracts? Or hands not reacting as fast? Or, probably this one, memory not accurate. Stress is a HUGE elephant in the room....affects lots of things. GeorgeTheCrook says—There are a lot reasons for lot of stuff like--"I made my money the old-fashioned way. I was very nice to a wealthy relative right before he died." - Malcolm Forbes

MissPerfect says--There are really only two things you need to do in order to simplify your life – the first is to take a little time and decide what it is that’s important to you and the second is to try and get rid of as much of the other stuff and the things that get in the way of what’s important to you as you possibly can. Is that reality or fantasy?

The skinny of it is I have lost confidence in a person.  Yes, I have.  Are you a dependable person?  Consumers want a dependable car and if it isn’t dependable, they get a new one; they just don’t like an undependable car.  Employers like dependable employees.  Friends like dependable friends.  Sooooo I was going to use our DVD player, but our smart TV said it was an “invalid format.”  What, it always worked before.  Sooooo I googled it and there was talk about not having the proper resolution—I didn’t change any resolution.  Soooooo I just unplugged the TV and the receiver for 5 minutes and bingo, it worked (i.e. keep it simple stupid).  BUT, can I now depend on it to work (i.e. I don’t know)?  It will take me some time for me to once again have complete confidence in it.  Then when and if I do, I will forget about it.  Interesting to me.  CrazyMarvin says—That is how it works with folks as well! If we lose confidence in someone, it takes a long time to get it back. If they let you down again, we lose all confidence again and we might not ever have confidence in them again (i.e. it’s like dried up oatmeal on my breakfast bowl).  I don’t know! I wish I could unplug this person for a reboot (i.e. I don’t know for sure but my guess is that it’s not going to happen).  Maybe it’s time for me to move on! I don't know!  Such is life.

I don’t know folks but it appears that if you are in the main stream or any stream at all,  there sure are a lot of “differences of opinions.”  Some of you folks won’t agree with me about that either (i.e. difference of opinion)!!!  It appears that for many, what folks use to think is not “the in thing” anymore (i.e. like halfpipe at the Olympics didn’t use to be part of the games).  Many folks think way different than the previous generations.  Maybe and probably it has always been that way.  Many folks decide not to be part of the differences that they don’t agree with (e.g. move to an over 55 gated community where life might be a lot simpler and more enjoyable being around folks that agree with them more).  What do you think?  Years ago, in the United Sates, folks just moved farther west to get away from those folks they didn’t want to be around or who disagreed with them. Really, disagreement is not a new thing.  There were 620,000 deaths from the Civil War (i.e. 400,000 from disease).  Sooooo I’m probably wrong that differences of opinions are stronger now (i.e. maybe it just seems that way).  Such is life.

Some more from the “glut of information.”  A brother-in-law sent this to me by email soooooo it must be right (i.e. some person from PyeongChang forwarded it to him)!  Give a person a fish and you feed them for a day.  Teach a person to use the Internet and they won't bother you for weeks, months, maybe years unless you give them your email address.  ~   In the 60's, people took LSD to make the world weird. Now the world is weird, and people take Prozac to make it normal. 

Talk about differences of opinions, a friend gave me the DVD series of “The West" which is a PBS production.  I really enjoyed the DVDs.  The settling of the West was a lot about differences of opinions.  One group would come and kill the folks who lived there and then another group would come in and kill them and then another group who was stronger and had more passionate would kill those folks.  It just went on for a long time.  Much of the conflict was about freedom, beliefs, and about money (i.e. minerals and bounty of the land).  Eventually many were displaced, and The United State became in control and passed laws even though many groups disagreed.  It appears that usually the most powerful and the ones who have the most money and have the strongest passion, win (i.e. usually the majority). 

An old adage is—There is more wisdom in silence than noise!  Sooooo, I better make some silence for you!  Such is life.

Have a FUN day my friends unless you have other plans. (-:

erv

MyFriendJean says—The best antiques are old friends.

P. S. For all the hype about 'going for the gold,' we're so weary at the end of the day that going for the sofa is as good as it gets.

commonsencicle

My podcast is with my friend, Bill Hansen.  Our conversation is about his experience, emotions and feelings of losing his 46-year old daughter, Darla, to cancer.



I talked to a brother-in-law by phone recently—It went like this—how are you doing erv—I’m ok—what has changed; I have never known you to be ok!  Sooooo take that into consideration when reading this “It’s Saturday.”

OneSmartGuy/friend called his son commonsencicle a.k.a. street smart. Now that is a nice compliment (i.e. my opinion).  I know this young man. I think he is also intelligent and has a good heart and has a nice personality.  My opinion is that these qualities make a good combination. 

 NoEmotionsBernie says—My exterior blandness masks a burning fire but you don’t have a clue what that burning fire might be.  I will not tip my hat to you; it’s an internal thing.  Ok NoEmotionsBernie, I would guess there are others who feel like you.  I wonder folks when you read that statement, if you think their burning fire is something bad or something good.  It probably depends if your burning fire is something good or something bad I would guess.  A friend recently told me his burning fire which was a decision about an exciting opportunity.  He told me that it felt soooo good to tell me about it (i.e. vocalize it with someone—he did not have that opportunity to do that before for reasons).  Many times, as crazy as it sounds, it’s harder to share something good that is happening to you than something bad.  The reason is—You have to have a very good friend to share something good in your life as most folks think you are bragging.  A very good friend will not have that feeling and will be glad for you.  That sounds very commonsencicle but many folks really aren’t happy for you when good happens to you.  In fact, they would rather see something bad happen to you.  It’s crazy folks but that is the way it is.  It’s called jealousy.  WildWillie says—90% of the folks don’t care about your problems and the other 10% are glad you have them!   OneSmartPerson says--Pain shared is pain divided. Joy shared is joy multiplied. Saturday question—Is it a privilege to share in the pain of others, along with their joys?

JoeBlow says--There seem to be a lot of unpredictability in life.  LuckieEddie says—Even if the reviews say it’s good, it might not be.  Now we have “fake reviews” just like “fake news.”  Sooooo how am I to know what to believe.  SusieQ says—I’m constantly being brainwashed, and I don’t even know it.  Maybe we need to be commonsencicle about some things.  But, it seems like everyone is trying to manipulate us to make a buck or to get more power or something (i.e. gotcha).  It’s really hard to know what or who to believe.  CadillacJack says—Soooo why do folks say—to be honest with you, or they say--to tell the truth…?  Soooo does that mean that the other times they are not being honest or are not telling you the truth?  Or why do we swear to tell the truth in court?  Does that mean that most folks don’t tell the truth all the time (i.e. like being two faced)?  Sooooo do you and I tell the truth?  I have an acquaintance who half of the time is lying and the other half of the time doesn't tell the truth!  But honestly, the rest of the time he is telling the truth; I believe everything he says!  Such is life.

A friend told me recently that he was buying a new vehicle.  He was in the Twin Cities where there is a dealer that advertises the best prices anywhere; you can’t find a better price; we will blow the socks off of any other dealer; we can’t be beat; you don’t have to shop around (i.e. they were putting lipstick on a pig).  Sooooo my friend went there but bought his vehicle at a dealer locally for $8,000 less.  Da! This last week I got my cell phone bill.  It was $20 higher that my normal price.  I called them and asked why.  They gal said—I added the figures up and they are right—I agree but it is $20 higher that I normally pay—I will check it out—I can’t figure it out—I can’t either; I will just credit your account for $20.  That was funny to me.  Folks, it is commomsencicle to not believe what others say and to shop around and ask questions.  Such is life. 

An old college friend who I played basketball with, ended his blog this way--So I end this writing with God's promise through the prophet Isaiah, "Fear not, for I am with you. Be not discouraged for I am your God. I will help you, I will strengthen you. I will uphold you with my strong (or victorious) right hand." For me it is enough. I pray it might be for you as well. Is that statement commonsencicle to you?  That is what I thought. 

It would appear to the AverageJoes that politicians are not commonsencicle; more like they will say or do whatever it takes to get reelected (i.e. it’s all about the money folk).  Then add the radical extremists with all their hysteria (i.e. who don’t seem to have any commonsencicle) to the pot, well, folks, we have a mess.  Then you add the greed and illegal activity going on and I have no idea if we will ever get anything done from now on.  The solution is to give everyone what they want (i.e. everyone makes their want list and give it to the government).  Now that ought to work.  ha ha  Maybe that is why the history of the world is “wars and rumors of war.”  Could be. 

Folks have different sensibilities than others.  Some folks are just more sensible than others.  They can just feel how others feel a.k.a. called empathy.  And there are others who have no serious empathy—they are just cold, boiler plate folks with no real heart or emotions a.k.a. apathy.  Their relationships are more like a business account (i.e. all about me and how much they can get out of the relationship—pretty phony a.k.a. DuaneTheWorm phony, programed and canned).  The other morning, I had a college friend call me who I haven’t talked to maybe in 8 years.  That same morning friends from AZ called that never called me before.  A little later a college friend emailed me that doesn’t do it very often. A long-time friend then called me who hardly never calls me.  What is going on.  I was wondering if I was going to die that day or something!  These folks have empathy (i.e. very real folks with good hearts—very sensitive).  What a joy it was to talk to them all.  I have to admit, it was crazy!  Just fun crazy!

I read what OneSmartGuy said while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it--Praying for others, concern for their spiritual well-being, and desire to have an eternal difference in their lives is important to me. My focus these days is simple: Relationships. Sadly, the vast majority of relationships most of us have are superficial. There is little if any personal investment. We take from them what we need and then move on. You know what? This makes our spiritual enemy smile. He loves relationships, as long as they are superficial and meaningless. Because his strategy is simple: deceive, divide, and destroy. Ouchy ouchy!

I had breakfast with an old college friend that I haven’t seen for a number of years.  We each drove over an hour and met half way.  We really had a good time.  I like this guy (i.e. he is unique alright).  He and I have always got along and share (i.e. he shared his heart about his current situation).  He also shared that he finally figured out one of his family who he didn’t get along with. He said--I just went to his funeral; I figured it out.  I figured out that I did not really ever hate him but we were just different.  Sooooooo I asked him--Friend, why did you get it figured out now—I think age and circumstances in my life made me wiser.  Now that is commonsencicle folks. 

I learned a couple of things recently that are sorta kinda commonsencicle but I never thought about them before.  OneSmartBigSkyRanchCowboy told me that there are left-handed lassos and right-hand lassos.  What?  Yep, the lassos are wound different soooo they coil differently and make a perfect loop to throw (i.e. for lefties and righties).  I didn’t know that. Maybe he was just fooling with me head (i.e. spurring me on); I don’t know; maybe he just had a lot of fresh cow crap/chips on his cowboy boots! ANYWAY, I asked him if he’s good at using the lariat—better on the ground than on a horse; my Dad is a better roper than I am (i.e. his dad wears a big cowboy hat and actually owns a lot of cattle—a real rancher).  I don’t know if this OneSmartBigtSkyRanchCowboy chews tobacco and is a good spitter; I didn’t see any juice on his lip!

I believe what RickyRick says (i.e. it seems to me to be pretty commonsencicle)—“Significance does not come from status or a hood ornament on your car or a logo on your shirt. Significance does not come from a bigger salary. Significance does not come from sex. Significance comes from service. Significance comes when you start thinking about other people more than yourself and you give your life away. You cannot be selfish and significant at the same time. The Bible says in 1 Peter 4:10, “Each of you has received a gift to use to serve others” (NCV).” A major question I ask myself many times is—Am I really serving others enough or am I just one big old selfish guy (i.e. a DuaneTheWorm self-centered person)?  I wonder as I wander!!!! Compared to the perfect example, I’m way short!  Way short!  Not even close. WorldClassLarry says--Figure out what portion of daily drudgery people need to have out of their lives and offer to take it off their plate!  Just make someone’s live easier would be quite a help.  IickieVickie says—I have enough problems in my own life to help others with their problems; my life is about me and I like it that way. 

A veryniceandsweetgal, who was my student maybe 45 years ago was in church Sunday.  She is a retired Registered Nurse and they winter in FL.  She was telling me that she started a sorta kinda meals on wheels in their park along with an in-park restaurant.  She said it takes a lot of work but some retired folks decide not to help.  They say—I have done all my volunteering; my life is now all about me to enjoy! Each their own!

Have you ever noticed that when you don’t care what happens, your interest is way different (e.g. watching a sports event and you don’t care who wins). When we are emotionally attached (i.e. have a dog in the fight), we have a way different perspective and attitude.  I heard about an acquaintance who has a serious health problem and I felt bad for them but my feelings for Arlene is different than my feelings for that person.  I felt bad that I felt that way but after some thought, I decided that it is normal and correct.  Does that make any sense to you?  That is what I thought.  It’s just commonsencicle I think! 

Things seem soooo commonsencicle but we don’t do them sometimes.  This is from my big sister (i.e. big in only age--she is a neat person with a good heart; my kind of person)--This situation in my life touched me.  The first Christmas Eve we were here in MI we went to church for services and as we left the church everyone was greeting each other   -- however, we walked out and had not received a Merry Christmas.   I was crushed.   Snow had fallen while in church -- a beautiful sight in the parking lot.   As we approached our car, a man was brushing the snow off our windshield.  He greeted us with Merry Christmas and left.  To this day I do not know who he was but his gesture turned my Christmas around.

Some gals from the “afternooncircle” at the church we attend, took care of Arlene from 2:30 p.m. to 10:30 a.m. the next day soooooo I could go to Waukee and see our grand kids (i.e. Charlie had a school program in which she was the cutest and best singer--every grandpa should have that opinion). When we were walking to the school from the vehicle, Charlie wanted to hold me hand (i.e. that was special). As I was lifting Rookie out of his SUV seat, he said--Grandpa, you are pretty strong for an old person!  He did redeem himself the next morning when we were talking about dinosaurs and he said--Grandpa, you are pretty smart!  Classic statements! What a hoot! It was a nice respite for me in the middle of winter. I had such a good time! Those gals who allowed me to do it are special folks with good hearts; my kind of folks (i.e. it wasn't easy for them--they probably saw Arlene at her worst--she doesn't like it when I leave).

Have a FUN day my friends unless you have other plans. (-:

erv

MyFriendJean says—A handful of patience is worth more than a bushel of brains.

P.S. "I’m a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work the more I have of it." - Thomas Jefferson

preconceived

Warning:  The judges who are judging the quality of this “It’s Saturday” are the same judges who judged the Olympic figure skating. It appears that they might not be totally creditable because it seems that the judging of the figure skating can be very speculative, and the judges might be political.  Such is life.  

Some of you have a preconceived idea what I’m going to write about in this “It’s Saturday.”  Soooo if you would write your thoughts down what your preconceived ideas are, what would they be?  Really! Soooo try this, try not to have preconceived ideas and be open minded.  GeorgeTheCrook says—I can’t do that; I cannot be open minded, and I don’t want to be open minded.  I’m an extremist and I love it!   Give me a few Bud Lights and I even know a lot more about everything; I instantly become a lot smarter. erv, don’t try to mess with my preconceived ideas! 

What is your preconceived idea what the sign on this truck means?  What is your preconceived idea of the owner of this truck? I bet you think it’s a guy don’t you.  I was walking back to the car at Hy-Vee the other night and saw this on a dirty truck.  It made me smile.  On the way home, Arlene was trying to tell me something that I couldn’t understand what she was trying to tell me.  She uses some words but mostly mumble jumble.  I usually can figure it out with her hand language and generally she says the same things quite often.  But I couldn’t figure out what she was saying.  I had a preconceived idea when she said “why” several times and them “me.”  I asked her if she is wondering why she is this way—ya, why—I don’t know sweetheart; I just don’t know but I love you and I will take care of you—I love you erv.  Touching.  MyFriendSecretariat a.k.a. a Swiss army knife who has a frog in every pocket, thinks Arlene understands more than we think she does.  Sooooo folks, don’t talk down to folks with dementia.  Treat them like they are normal and not your perceived idea (i.e. my opinion).  Research shows that normal folks would rather not be around folks with dementia (i.e. it makes them feel uncomfortable).  I can understand that.  Yes, I can. Such is life.

EveryDayChampJane, who is not an Olympic gold metal winner, (i.e. but who is like many of you guys) says--We all have preconceived thoughts about almost everything.  Why do different folks have different preconceived ideas and thoughts do you think?  If I would ask you to explain the troll you have in your life, what would it look like and what would it be?  Probably all of us would have different preconceived ideas of both.  Why?  Ok, if I would ask you what would really make you happy/happier, what would be your preconceived thought be. Why would our thoughts be different?  Crazy!  Not really.  We are all programed by our past (i.e. some according to party lines—ha ha).   Assignment (i.e. most folks don’t like assignments and as a result they don’t do them)—Write down what was the best year of your life and write down why—now write down the qualities that you would like in your future’s best year of your life (i.e. what would it look like).  What are the qualities that would make up your best year?  Huh, interesting.

MissPerfect says—I know for sure that I have been trying to be like someone else all my life.  I finally decided I will not and don’t want to be like other people and I feel much happier than I ever been before (i.e. don't have to try to do a hail Mary run all the time).  Good idea MissPerfect; be yourself and do it in style (i.e. class).  Comparing is soooooo hard on folks (i.e. some folks have a preconceived idea that others have it better than they do). SusieQ says—I have been taught to compare myself with others as a little child on and I know that somehow if we can accept ourselves as we are, we are a lot happier but...  RickyRick says--You need to understand something that will liberate your life: You don’t need other people’s approval to be happy. But society doesn’t want us to be content.  It’s a merry-go-round folks!  Such is life. Hey, if you like to compare yourself and make yourself miserable, here a good link that will do it for you (i.e. I aim to please).  http://www.visualcapitalist.com/interactive-median-income-u-s-counties/

What to get rid of those preconceived ideas? Then do this; it will make you feel good.  Believe me! Jesus said this in Matthew 6:6: “Find a quiet, secluded place so you won’t be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace” (MSG).

CadillacJack says—Sometimes parents have preconceived ideas of their children.  I asked a friend, who I haven’t seen for some time, how his girls are doing (i.e. I like his girls).  He said his freshman daughter gets straight As. She likes to play basketball; she’s not physically designed for basketball but she seems to enjoy it.  She plays post and is pretty good, but she is 5’3” (i.e. that works when freestyle skiing but playing post in basketball????).  She said—I have limits!  She is a nice gal but at 5'3" playing post, she is going to have to be a good pusher (i.e. use her butt very well)!  ha ha Saturday question--Would you rather have your daughter be a good high school basketball player or a straight A student?

Recently a fellow class mate at good old Danube High told me another class mate, Alice, died.  I asked him to send me her obituary.  Why, I don’t really know.  I haven’t thought about Alice since we graduated (i.e.1963).  I just was interested in what her life was like I guess.  Obituaries aren’t always accurate, but they are what they are.  I wonder if I had a preconceived idea what her life was like based on how I knew her from being a classmate for a few years. But folks change from high school alright.  Yes, they do.  It’s been a lot of years. Alice wasn’t voted the most likely to succeed or wasn’t the most popular in the class or wasn’t the homecoming queen.  She was just Alice.  She wrote her own obituary, and this is one paragraph that stuck out for me—I enjoyed a career of nursing for 43 years, delivering and rocking babies, sometimes the second generation.  Caring and compassion for the sick or in need was a calling for my life and I was able to help others for most of my life.  It appears she had a good life.  Good for her.  

While watching the opening ceremony of the Olympics (i.e. was there some augmented reality used—of course there was), there was constant talk about this might be the stimulus for world peace.  Now that is a preconceived idea (i.e. my opinion)!  History doesn’t agree with that and our current world situation surely doesn’t feel that way either.  In fact, they later said maybe in 6 months they would be at war (i.e. the future remains to be seen).  It does seem that most of the world is really concerned about the youth being contaminated by technology. Also, it was said that South Korea has a hard time balancing its history with the digital electronic world of the future.  It was mentioned by the announcer that South Korea is very technology savvy and advanced.  AverageJoe says—Don’t have preconceived ideas that everyone is honest and is concerned about your best interest (i.e. they are not).  I read in the paper, soooo it must be right, that a church treasurer of a church in Graettinger, IA, population 800, embezzled $400,000 over 14 years.  The church folks all probably had a preconceived idea that he was honest since he went to church!  Ouchy ouchy! 

It ain’t what we think it is sometimes (i.e. we get fooled); we just have a preconceived idea which isn’t always correct.  LuckieEddie says—If we can’t see it, we think it’s ok (i.e. a preconceived idea).  We used to have a guy come to our church who cut his own hair.  The front looked good, but the back was terrible sometimes (i.e. he missed some spots).  No one ever told him I don’t think.  Some folks seem to have the same problem (i.e. bed hair in the back).  WhoMeTena says--What you don’t see you don’t know and it won’t hurt you.  But maybe they don’t care or it’s not important to them. Now that could be.  Such is life.

I had a preconceived picture in my head of when Moses lead the Israelites out of Egypt into the desert on the way to the promised land. I saw maybe a couple of hundred folks.  The Bible says that there were approximately 600,000 men over 20 years of age, all the children and the women plus all the livestock.  Wow, did I have an improper bad preconceived picture in my head.  No wonder Moses had a lot of headaches!  Soooooo now I can understand why there were different opinions about the dead end at the Red Sea and concern about the” big guys” in the promised land.  Moses had his hands full alright. 

Preconceived ideas can be dangerous.  Winston Churchill said the statement in the picture.  ItchieBitchie says--I have been programmed by my past environment and have preconceived ideas and thoughts (e.g. party lines extremists a.k.a. herd mentality).  A judge, hopefully, does not have a preconceived idea for guilt or innocence; hopefully they listen to all the testimony and make the best decision they can based on facts and the law (i.e. no emotions).  ItchieBitchie says—I don’t think most folks are trained/educated to be open minded but most have preconceived ideas (i.e. very emotional—fly off the handle—very radical); especially when dealing with money, politics and religion.  Such is life.

I was on a morning run when I came upon this car (i.e. the front windshield was only cleaned off on the driver’s side as well).  My preconceived idea was that this person was lazy.  I continued running and started thinking that maybe the owner of the car isn’t capable to clean off their car or maybe don’t have a scrapper or there might be some other reason.  Sooooo when I got home I got me scrapper and ran back there and cleaned off the car.  They will never know.  Maybe I saved their life (i.e. probably not but…).  It made me feel good (i.e. because I had a negative preconceived idea of that person).  Like I say to a lot of you folks when you ask me how I’m doing—I’m ok, I have a simple life. 

I read this while eating my oatmeal with a half a banana on it (i.e. it was written by Kelan and Brittany--7. You have no higher presence in your life. I know this subject can turn some people off so if it does, just skip to the next section. REALITY:  For some of you, your life’s purpose is to exist and die. Your moral compass is skewed and guiding you down the wrong path. CHANGE: I am not going to spew my whole testimony on you about finding Jesus in my life, but I do want to share a small portion. Before God re-entered my life, I was struggling…bad. I was lost and in a deep depression for over a year. Just merely existing was a struggle. I had blinders on and could not see the light at the end of the tunnel. It was not until I hit rock bottom and opened my heart back up to Jesus that I was able to regain my life. I had a purpose, meaning, and direction. I had HOPE, something I was desperately missing.

Have a FUN day my friends unless you have other plans. (-:

erv

MyFriendJean says—No person can do everything but each one can do something.

P.S. A friend ended his email to me this way--Hang in there with Arlene.  She appreciates it under the shell she is in.  When I went thru the same thing with my Mom, I had a hard time being patient with her and regret that. Give her a hug for me.  This guy has a good heart—even being a little vulnerable.