think think think

WorldClassLarry says—It appears that there are two kind of folks; those who pick up trash and those that don’t!  They are probably the same folks that only care about themselves and don't care about others. Really WorldClassLarry!  Socrates said—I cannot teach anyone anything. I can only make them think.

SallySociety (i.e. from the millennial generation) who knows everything says--It appears that different folks can hear or see the same things, but their conclusion of what they think about it could be quite different.  It appears that folks think differently and comprehend differently and relate to teaching differently.  Give SallySociety a trophy! ha ha

We had the opportunity to be with our family for a couple of days.  I usually give gifts to our grandkids (i.e. usually the garage sale variety).  The gifts aren’t always the same. Sometimes there is jealously with some thinking their gift isn’t as good as their sibling’s or their cousins’. But sometimes I give them all the same gift.  When I do that, I find that some even like the gift better than others (i.e. for many reasons).  The reality is, I don’t think they are much different than many adults.  Some kids never grow up.  BUT they all like drumsticks; a grandpa tradition!  BUT the grand kids are growing up; they now ask questions that have answers. BUT I don’t know if they listen to my answers.  Sometimes I think not! I heard in a speech, sooooo it must be right, that grand parents can affect their grandkids and are very important.  Much effectiveness is by example.  You believe that?  That is what I thought.

Our grandkids are all Gen Xers (i.e. age 4-24). Sean McDowell did a talk at the Cedar Falls Bible Conference on Gen Xers that I found quite interesting.  He asked the audience to give him words that describe the Gen Xers.  All the words were negative.  They are about 25% of our population and are soon will be our leaders of our churches, government and business.  He said that actually we have a lot in common with them.  We are much like them in many ways.  And they do have good qualities just like the generations we are in.  BUT to understand them we need to relate to them (e.g. they have never been a non-swiper of a phone). Our Gen X generation grandkids appear to have a hard time in understanding me (i.e. we don’t seem to be on the same page; it appears that we don’t track the same). I need to look for some positive qualities they have; they do have them.  I think that might be hard for many.  McDowell also said that he did a large amount of research and found out that experts think that Gen Xers are the most isolated, most depressed, most lonely generation ever (e.g. their best friend they might not have ever met in person).  Yikes, that doesn’t sound good.  But they are very good with their smartphones. But I like my smartphone and many of you do toooo. I think there are differences of kids in the Gen X generation (e.g. we had breakfast at Todd’s Saturday morning and one our granddaughters was very polite and nice to our waitress; I was proud of her and impressed.  Where did she learn that do you think? Maybe a YouTube video on her phone; I think not! WorldClassLarry says—Remember, it’s better to be understanding than it is to be understood. 

Our son-in-law (i.e. generation X) said to me at our house—Erin (i.e. Z generation) asked on the trip from CO if anything would be different at grandma and grandpa’s house—well, looking around not much has changed in 10 years. He is right and he is wrong!  It has been over 8 years since Arlene has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.  She always enjoyed our home and did a great job making if feel homie and comfortable.  The last 10 years, yes, not much has changed in our house.  We are very comfortable with our home. BUT things have changed; big time. What is important to us, our values, our attitude, our relationships, our lifestyle, etc. has really changed.  Maybe the important stuff to us has changed and the unimportant stuff stuff has not.  Of course, Arlene and I are from the Traditional generation a.k.a. the silent generation.  Maybe “stuff stuff” isn’t as important to us now. 

I read what RickieRick said while eating my oatmeal with a half a banana on it--The Bible uses the term “heart” to describe the bundle of desires, hopes, interests, ambitions, dreams, and affections that you have. Your heart represents the source of all your motivations—what you love to do and what you care about most. Even today, we still use the word in this way when we say, “I love you with all my heart.” The Bible says what is in your heart reveals what you really are: “As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart” (Proverbs 27:19 NIV). You are not what others think you are or what circumstances force you to be. Your heart is the real you. It determines why you say the things you do, why you feel the way you do, and why you act the way you do.

My Daddy, Chester, told me—erv, most folks don’t think enough. I think the story of the Little Red Train was about I think I can I think I can I can.   LuckieEddie says--How much time do we spend working on our attitude compared to what we are going to eat next.  One way to help our attitude is getting around good folks and ask them to mentor us to be a better people.  I think that is good stuff.  I heard an interview with Bubby Watson during the Open after he shot a good round.  He said that he has been reading a lot of good material about having a good attitude, has a sports phychologist who helps me and meets with their pastor regularly.  I don’t necessarily care if I am a better golfer, but I want to be a better person in my life.  I thought about that. 

I really think I made a personal mistake to myself.  BUT it was another good lesson to myself.  I had something sorta kinda good happen to me.  I said that I was not going to tell anyone about it (i.e. it will speak for itself).  Well, I did tell just one person and the good didn’t continue (i.e. I was humbled I think, no I don’t think, I know).  I had a person recently tell me that he doesn’t make any mistakes (i.e. he is from the millennial generation); Da!  I think he is wrong!  SusieQ says—Some folks obviously think different than others.  But give him a trophy anyway or put his name in the paper!  However, for the most part, people get their names in the paper for being stupid. Or evil. Or dead! Such is life.

Do you know anyone who grumbles; I mean grumbles a lot; I mean always seem to grumble?  A person grumbled to me the other day.  I let her grumble.  I actually laughed inside.  I didn’t say anything.  BUT I totally disagreed with what she was grumbling about.  I think she was way wrong.  BUT it was sorta kinda fun to listen to her grumble (i.e. I even egged her on a little).  I didn’t necessarily know if I was wrong or she was right but there was a difference of opinion.  And it really doesn’t matter what I think (i.e. what matters is what folks in control think and I’m not in control)?  Soooo then who really cares what I think?  A friend recently said to me—I can put up with a crazy thought a person says but if there is a trend (i.e. long history) of them having crazy thinking, well, they have established a precedent and I really don’t have much time for them. Saturday question—Do we every think of other generations this way? Such is life.

I think I had a good lesson.  I say think I did or maybe I just ate some bad pizza.  I’m not 100% sure which one it was.  But ANYWAY, I had some experiences that were minor (i.e. a couple of things that were said to me and an event of frustration).  They all seemed to give me a different direction in my focus.  Again, maybe this feeling is just something I think I had!  WorldClassLarry says—erv erv, just don’t think soooooo much; you are going to get a headache!

I have baseball on TV while I read in the evenings (i.e. I like to follow the Cubs and we get quite a few games on our package).  We very seldom go away at night sooooo it fits me quite well.  ANYWAY, sports in general, are becoming very analytical.  They have percentages for everything now; nothing is done off the seat of your pants.  I don’t think it’s as much fun to watch anymore (i.e. my opinion). BUT it’s all about increasing the chance of winning (i.e. the competition is all doing it).  And winning is money!  Don’t kid yourself, that is what it’s all about. I ran into a bank owner recently who I did some business with years ago.  It was like we were best of friends (i.e. he is soooo open with me—we have always got along really well).  He has always been an unconventional banker in that he would give some folks an opportunity that other banks would not (i.e. go against the metrics).  He always looked for hardworking and honest folks.  He told me that many times he has saved the family farm and some families. Many folks have been sooooo appreciative of it.  He said—Now that is very rewarding.  But don’t kid yourself, I think he likes to make money!

GeorgeTheCrook once said that most people wish to do as little as possible and get as much as possible. Some of you might be that way but some of you are not that way. Some of you are "true greatness" in my opinion.  You don’t care about all the accolades and press. In fact, many times you aren’t even thanked.  Our family was sitting on the deck drinking coffee last Saturday morning and one parent said that he spent a lot of time with their kids this last week doing things that they really enjoyed (i.e. really fun stuff out of the house as Rookie calls them).  The parent said their children weren’t very appreciative.  He told them that he wasn’t going to do it anymore if they don’t change their attitude.  Here is another real-life statement—A friend called me to wish us a happy anniversary (i.e. very nice of her).  We talked and she said I feel soooo bad not coming over and seeing Arlene, but it is sooooo uncomfortable.  I told her not to feel bad as it is uncomfortable for many to be around Arlene.  It’s a tough situation.  I understand. Such is life.

AverageJoe says--Maybe the older generations are toooo hard on the younger generations and don’t see their own vaults.  I read in the paper, soooo it must be right, that the divorce rate for younger couples had dropped but divorce rate for folks over 50 has doubled, and folks over 65 have tripled. Wow! Why do you think that is happening?

Good ol’ Northwestern built a new science center (i.e. it’s a new generation folks).  They choose the following quote from Louis Pasteur to be inscribed in the front entrance: “The more I study nature, the more I stand amazed at the work of the Creator.”  The leading families added, “May those who study here be ‘amazed at his creation’…the order and purpose of it…the meaning of it.”

A golf buddy/friend told me that their daughter says to their children—You get what you get and don’t throw a fit!  Maybe there are two kinds of folks; those who throw fits when they don’t get what they want and others who don’t. 

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

erv

MyFriendJean says—Rise above the storm and you will find the sunshine.

P.S.  In 399 BC, Socrates went on trial and was subsequently found guilty of both corrupting the minds of the youth of Athens and of impiety (asebeia, "not believing in the gods of the state"), and as a punishment sentenced to death, caused by the drinking of a mixture containing poison hemlock.