April 27, 2019

live in my world

Herbert Henry Asquith, the British prime minister from 1908 to 1916, said, “The war office kept three sets of figures. One to mislead the public, another to mislead the Cabinet, and the third to mislead itself.” Disclaimer: This “It’s Saturday” is not intended to mislead you in any way but it could without even trying.  Sooooo please, take that into consideration when reading this “It’s Saturday.”  I can’t control how your mind works; I don’t know if you can even do that.  Such is life.

I have many friends who I really enjoy being around (i.e. you guys).  I have some who seem toooo sorta kinda understand me more than others and I think I sorta kinda understand them more than some (i.e. you know if you are one of those folks). You and I sorta kinda seem to be on the same wave length. One such friend says that his wife just doesn’t understand what we think and talk about (i.e. maybe we are in our own strange worlds).  ha ha

A friend sent me this: "A FRIEND MAY WELL BE RECKONED THE MASTERPIECE OF NATURE" To stand in true relations with men in a false age is worth a fit of insanity, is it not? We can seldom go erect. Almost every man we meet requires some civility, – requires to be humored; he has some fame, some talent, some whim of religion or philanthropy in his head that is not to be questioned, and which spoils all conversation with him. But a friend is a sane man who exercises not my ingenuity, but me. My friend gives me entertainment without requiring any stipulation on my part. A friend, therefore, is a sort of paradox in nature. I who alone am, I who see nothing in nature whose existence I can affirm with equal evidence to my own, behold now the semblance of my being, in all its height, variety, and curiosity, reiterated in a foreign form; so that a friend may well be reckoned the masterpiece of nature.  by Ralph Waldo Emerson (May 25, 1803 –        I’ll let that sink in for a bit!  Some of you will understand that and others won’t, and some don’t have a clue if they do or don’t!  Such is life.

This is something that not all of you folks will understand; I understand that.  Here it is—St. Jerome, who died in 420 near Bethlehem, wrote, “Good, better, best. Never let it rest. Til your good is better and your better is best.” But some of you will understand it; maybe you are lucky or unlucky!  ha ha

I read in the paper, soooo it must be right, that couples who made less than $100,000 in 2018 paid no income tax.  I would think the under $100,000 would comprise of quite a number of folks.  BUT I miss read the article; I didn’t read it all.  How many times do we do that, or we miss understand what we read or what another person says?  I understood it the way I thought I understood it, but reality is, I totally misunderstood the content of the article because I already decided what it was saying in the way I understood it to mean.  Now I might be hard to understand! 

JoeBlow says--I hear but I don't listen! I was visiting by phone with my big sister (i.e. only big in age) recently and I don’t think she understood what I really was saying.  It was ok because what I was trying to say wasn’t that important.  This miscommunication happens all the time.  We think others understand what we are saying but they really don’t, or they are trying to tell us something and we just don’t get it.  LuckieEddie says--It’s been this way for ever; that ain’t nuttin new.  Many times we interpret talk as we want to hear it or by our past or current environment; we are programed.  ItchieBitchie says—Sometimes what we hear the least is what we need the most and what we hear the most we need the least!  Ouchy ouchy! 

CrazyMarvin says—A lie detector does not reveal the truth but only what a person believes.  Or as Mark Twain said—It’s not the lies that really mess us up but what we think that is true but ain’t soooo!  Maybe I am some form of a velvet-voiced mystic that is confused and confounded but I think that some things what I think are important and true. But all of us don’t seem to think the same.  We don’t live in the same world; our minds are different (i.e. I read in the paper soooo it must right that no two folks are the same). 

Albert Einstein once said—"We physicists know that the distinction between past, present and future is only an illusion, no matter how persistent.” Do you understand that?  I don’t but your mind might be in a different world than mine.  I wonder if even Mr. Einstein understood it.  What do you think? That is what I thought.  But I do think that past does affect our present and our present does affect our future; what we do does affect what is going to happen to us (i.e. my opinion living in my world; your world might be different).  JoeBlow says—All genuine learning is active; not passive (i.e. now I think I can understand that ha ha).   

JoeJohnSmith says—erv erv, in general, my op-ed understanding is different to what you think; I’m way toooo impetus for your thinking.  I operate from the seat of my pants; I always have.  JoeJohnSmith, good or bad, I agree with you; you are who you are.  We are all different now aren’t we (e.g. we think others are brainwashed and we aren’t, Da!).  I was visiting with a friend and they told me that they don’t need social approval to be happy.  I would agree pretty much with his statement as I have known this person for a long time, and it does appear that is true.  Soooooo the reality is—That person doesn’t care what I think! ha ha  HeadShrinkerJoe says—Well now, maybe all of us need some approval if we admit it or not! 

We all live in our own different worlds (i.e. which most other folks probably won’t understand)! I was talking to a fellow caregiver at the grocery store about his wife who has Alzheimer’s recently. He was telling me how his life has really changed.  He and his wife do things now that are soooo simple but quite rewarding.   He said—I never thought I would be doing them 10 years ago; we seem to enjoy them together. We talked about doing hobbies and interest that we enjoy (e.g. simple things that we can do together with our wives—things others don’t do because they are toooo busy etc.). He said we do them at a very slow pace; I always did things very fast (i.e. like wide open fast). This guy has amazed me; I am just surprised how he has adapted his life for his wife; I haven’t really known him very well, but my hat really goes off to him.  Our relationship has really changed because of Mr. Alzheimer’s. 

Saturday question—Are you doing things that you really enjoy?  Here is an idea that I read that I seem to do more now living my simple life style.  I do things first thing in the morning that I really enjoy and want to do.  You might not enjoy what I enjoy but I really enjoy them, and they are also very important to me.  I mediate/pray and exercise.  They are my priorities.  I enjoy them (i.e. for the most part). Of course, I have my coffee (i.e. recently I have been drinking one of my favorite brands given to me by a friend—thanksamillion my friend)! I have a friend who exercises every day.  He was telling me that he has done it for years and if he doesn’t do it, he feels guilty; he just can’t miss.  I’m sorta kinda that way but I don’t think I feel as guilty as he does. ha ha I think I have some “slacker” in me than he doesn’t! Or he might just be a little crazier than me. ha ha You folks are saying—I don’t want to live in your worlds!

Ever year about this time I do a spread sheet of our financial status.  My mentor taught me to do this as he said it is good to see where you are and in case you die, your kids can figure everything out much easier.  I had tooooo laugh; yes I did.  In the column of personal property—Our car is worth maybe $7,000, motorcycle $3,500, golf cart $500, snow blower $150, lawn mower maybe $40, my golf clubs $0, ok maybe $15!  Now let’s go in the house—we have a comfortable house decorated comfortably for us—you couldn’t sell all of our contents for more than $3,000 (i.e. I might be way toooo optimistic).  C’mon! We got to be realistic. I was in the RE business for a lot of years; most of this stuff isn’t worth much or anything.  The kids might (i.e. big on the might) take a few things but it’s easier for them to get the biggest dumpster they can get and throw it all in there than to go through all the trouble of a sale for a few hundred bucks apiece.  Now that is our world folks. Another thing, my wardrobe couldn’t even be given away! Oh, one more thing—cash in the bank is worth what it is (i.e. no false emotional evaluation), and everyone likes it (i.e. and it’s easy to liquidate)!

I was given my set of irons when I retired by our children and spouses (Burner Plus) 10 years ago.  They were what I wanted.  The set didn’t have a sand wedge soooo I used my old one (i.e. a Hogan that I got out of the bargain barrel for $5).  I never liked it.  Soooo this spring, I decided I would buy one to fit my Tailormade irons.  They are very hard to find; almost impossible.  I finally found one on eBay but had to pay more than I thought I should (i.e. many of you think I’m a sucker).  I think it’s just supply and demand!  It’s whatever the market will bear (i.e. one person’s trash is another person’s treasure). There are suckers, like me. Suckers are born every day! ANYWAY, the value of my clubs just went up!  I’m actually happy and excited about this purchase. Yabut, it seems when I buy, I pay toooo much and when I sell, I don’t get enough!  Such is my world! Saturday question—What are you a sucker for?

I had a grandma/friend tell me that one of her grand kids said to her—Grandma, it’s only $100!  You mostly have no idea what our net worth is. And I might not know what your net worth is, or your annual income is as far as that goes (i.e. your annual income might be $275,000).  Sooo you might say to me about buying that Taylormade sand wedge—It’s only $100 erv!  Some of you say—it’s only a $1,000, only $20,000, only $100,000, only $500,000 or it’s only a $1,000,000.  But you know what, you are all good folks (i.e. except for one of you and you know who you are).  Our worlds are just a little different!  Besides, it’s only money! Such is life.

In my world, it appears that I sometimes rationalize and don’t deal with situations the way they really are (i.e. at least sometimes). I think in ways to make myself feel good but aren’t necessarily true or correct or reality.  That is why folks hire expert advisers who aren’t sentimental to the situation to give a non-bias opinion. Many times we won’t listen to them, even if it’s the best interest for us.  I have read in the Bible that wisdom is listening to wise counsel.  Of course, if you don’t believe in the Bible, it doesn’t matter to ya (i.e. even if you don’t believe in the Bible, it might still be good advice).  I think we have a tendency to rationalize to make ourselves feel better. I need to admit it folks, it’s hard for me to admit when I’m not getting it done!  JoeBlow said—Of course, it’s very easy to be witty tomorrow, after you got a chance to do some research and rehearse your ad libs. Like the saying goes—It will all shake out!

Life in my world—I called a pluming shop and inquired about a cost of a new hot water heater.  They said it would be X many dollars including the removal of the old one. I bought it and when I got the bill it was for about $180 more.  They didn’t tell me that there would be some cost for some parts and an installation cost.  I didn’t ask and they didn’t tell me. I lol. If I do business with them again, I will ask soooo many questions that they won’t want to do business with me (i.e. obviously I have tooooo).  Caveat emptor—Let the buyer beware. 

A friend brought over left-over Easter dinner for Arlene and me.  That was a super nice jester.  Besides, it was good.  I learned again how special kindness feels.  I thanked her. I also learned something that I am not very good at.  She said—erv, you are very much welcome (i.e. she said it in a very humble, happy, loving, joyful, sincere tone—not in “puff me up way” at all).  I don’t know if I ever say – you are welcome.  Maybe I’m missing an opportunity. My opinion--This experience was a win-win for both of us. It’s like buying a meal for a street person with your Easter money from grandma and grandpa!  By Monday, you will forget the candy or some little toy you bought, but, maybe, you might not ever forget the experience you created for yourself and, maybe, made someone’s life a little better.

I am sharing this with her permission.  Life in her world—A friend passed on.  I asked his wife by email  ~  Will you tell me what your emotions are without him?  ~  I describe it as traveling in an unfamiliar territory, no map, no GPS, in the twilight, no destination or itinerary, alone with him not asking directions along the way=)!  Mostly unfamiliar and uncomfortable.  ~  I don’t understand your emotions as I’m not living in your world but that surely gives me a flavor. The best to you.       Many of you folks who have lost spouses know exactly what she is going through.  I feel for you and also wish you the best.

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

erv

MyFriendJean says—If you get something for a song, watch out for the accompanist.

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