making good decisions

I asked some friends this:  I’m thinking about making good decisions this morning. I would like your opinion as to how people learn to make good decisions and how we can adapt our lives in making good decisions. Can you give me some insight?  Here are some of their responses.

Probably should start by asking better people than me about making good decisions More seriously though, I would say find good people to be around and pay attention. They won't do everything right but they're willing to admit when they're wrong. And that helps because I've probably learned more from being wrong than being right.

Start by making a case study of those making poor decisions and do the opposite. Pick good mentors.

…..it depends, of course on the nature of the situation,….. but you should: 1)evaluate options 2)seek advice 3)pray for guidance 4)don’t procrastinate or delay.

On important issues, I call upon the Holy Spirit to nudge me One Direction, or the other to help me in making the right decision and he usually does. If that don’t work, I call upon my wife to make the decision for me ha ha.

I think you broke my brain with that one!! Seems to me environment is huge. Environment and desire. And desire is so hard to create in someone. I know things I desire I pursue. But things I don’t, people can encourage me, but it won’t happen until I want it. Being around the right people. Get away from bad influences. That’s all I got!!!

 I think the key to good decisions is setting up habits and routines. I would suggest starting small and stacking. So depending on what you want to work on I would set a habit to go for a walk first thing in the morning. That’s where I would start. Then my belief is it will snowball into other good habits and routines. Another good book - power of habit talks about the “keystone” habit. It’s a habits that unlocks / snowballs other habits. Short answer start with a habit or routine first thing in the morning and my suggestion would be a walk. 2nd step is an accountability partner - you are 39.5% likely to accomplish a goal if you write it down. You are 76.7% likely to accomplish a goal if you send progress reports to someone.

If it’s a really big one I pray for help! I try to not make it when I’m angry and I might run it by my wife or a friend. Past experience helps and we have all had plenty of that!!

Take the time to weigh all the options. Then pray about what option is the best for everyone. Or just throw the ball to me! (i.e. Inside joke--I played basketball with this friend and I made him an All-American ‘cause I threw the ball to him all the time; I should have shot more!!!!)

Probably my parents, by example, taught good decision making in areas such as thrift, perseverance, and using common sense. Being free to make everyday decisions is something we take for granted, but aren’t we fortunate to navigate our lives as we wish! I am grateful everyday for this freedom. We can choose vocations, our friends, recreation, food choices and what color to paint the house! For more impactful decisions, it’s important to weigh pros and cons and evaluate the long term effects. Ask the experts, get facts. Decision making changes as we age whether we like it or not. I will no longer climb up Mt. Adams because my body says NO! We hear, sometimes disdainfully, , “He/she is slowing down.” I say slowing down is a privilege we earn, and a pleasure!

I would agree with the importance of prayer and seeking wisdom from God through biblical insight. Also if you have a spouse discuss the issue with them. Also if you have trusted friends you can ask for their thoughts.

I like to take some time and think Do some research. Weigh the pros and cons and take your time. 

I used to tell my students (driver ed & classroom) life boils down to the decisions you make. Sometimes you get do overs, but often you don't. When you get to the pearly gate, you can't ask for a second chance. In my humble opinion, you often learn to make good decisions by making some bad ones.

Proverbs 11:14 says “in abundance of counselors there is victory.” I always helps to run my big plans past some trusted friends. They will have opinions about my plans, and their wisdom can be a word from God.

For me it’s slow down, step back and look at the big picture.   Do I really need something, say something, or do something and does that help me or someone else?  Also run it by my wife!  

James 1: 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

That patient thing is good but hard. Several years ago the doctor wanted me tested. Tested for patience. It came back negative...I didn't have any. And my wife says "I win again"!

I have a tract by A W Tozer in my Bible. A paraphrase... the happy truth is that the majority of decisions touching our lives God expresses no choice and allows us to choose our preferences, (using principles found in God's Word). "Where there is no clear instructions, pray and ask God and let the Spirit lead.".....

Pray, get all the facts, be patient. Then check with Mr.R. He never makes any bad decisions. Unless it's something to do with women, then you better call me, Mr.R is not that good with women.

You got any easier questions? 

Can’t tell if people learn to be good decision makers or if it is an inherent trait. Sometimes the definition of a good decision is in the eye of the beholder. People who are risk takers can know that they are going to miss on a few decisions but if they keep trying, they will learn and eventually succeed. Others will view the failures and call them bad decision makers. That is a wishy-washy answer but I think there is some truth in it.

Read the Bible. Pray. Ask people with similar beliefs as you.

Just do it... give something a try and you will gain experience . With experience comes knowledge, whether you made a good decision or not. Ask for opinions from those you trust. Keep trying, don't give up, be open to learning, be open to feedback, take a risk and use the feedback.

Ask your wife'

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

erv

MyDeceasedFriendJean said--Few people travel the road to success without a puncture or two.

 Zinger--Because of the advice I got from a friend/wife/Jeanne, I am going to try to quit drinking diet soda! Suck it up erv, and let's get going!

anomaly

I try! I constantly try! I try my best! That is all I can do! I just try! WhackoFromChicago'sSouthSide says--erv, you are a strange duck!

Have we ever been told that we are the shoe on the wrong foot! Or is it we are just a happenstance, or are we just one of God’s miracles or are we just an anomaly? Or is it ‘cause we are innovative and creative that we just make it happen. Hey, if we walk like a duck and quack like a duck, we're a strange duck!

Some change is not an unexpected circumstance a.k.a. an anomaly but some change is! JoeSmartBusinessPerson says—"The panic is half rumor, half reality. What’s actually happening is more strategic than scandalous.” We see and hear of corporations closing retail outlets or offices and we wonder if they are going broke or what. If things aren’t going well, it might be a time for a change. The past isn’t now or it isn’t the future (i.e. they got to get rid of the dead horses that are costing them money). It appears that history proves that. For a profit-driven company, profit is needed to stay afloat (i.e. now that is pretty simple and not an anomaly). My Daddy, Chester, told me—"erv, you can’t spend more than you make. Unless you borrow money for something that will appreciate in value or makes a profit but never borrow money on something that depreciates and doesn’t make a profit; if you want to buy something that depreciates and doesn’t make a profit (i.e. like squeaky toys), save the money before you buy it.” Now Chester’s thinking is pretty much an anomaly in our culture I would guess.

A friend told me he would like me to express more of what I think and not what others think. The reason why I don’t is I’m not certain my thinking is always sooo good or accurate. Now you understand. I will express my anomaly about this thinking (i.e. for what it’s worth to you). Remember, you get what you pay for! Jesus was an anomaly. Jesus was the most counter-cultural revolutionary you could imagine, who led perfectly with grace and compassion and justice. It takes humility to follow that kind of Savior. Everywhere Jesus went, he told people to follow him. He never said to follow a principle or a program or even a religion—but a person. He said, “You are blessed whenever you follow my example” (John 13:17). I ask some folks if they are believers sometimes. I don’t ask what church they go to or if they go to church or not, but if they are a believer. Now that is a very simple question and really isn’t much different than asking them if they play pickleball. I usually don’t say much or anything about how they answer the question unless they ask. BUT I believe there is a huge massive difference between believers and unbelievers. Soooo there my friend, that is my thinking. You asked for it. Now the ball is in your court!

Recently Jeanne and I had an opportunity presented to us. It was a good one that fit us quite well. BUT there were cons to the opportunity as well. The opportunity was sorta kinda an anomaly in that it might not ever happen again for us (i.e. because of timing in our lives). What were we going to do? Good question. We discussed it and talked about the upside and the downside. Tough decision. We called some folks for their opinion and wisdom. We have the option (i.e. we like options); the decision wasn’t necessarily good or bad. We gave it our best shot. That is all we could do! We tried our best! We think we made the right decision. Such is life.

This seems to be an anomaly to me. It seems our values, morals and even our money management has downgraded. SusieQ asks—What is a balanced budget? Usually, we want to upgrade and not downgrade (e.g. like wanting a new advanced vehicle with the newest technology). Not very many folks want to downgrade that I know of. I’m thinking about trying to buy this pickup down the street! Probably not! Saturday question—Have we ever been content with our life? IitchieBitchie says—C’mon erv, being content is not American! Get with it! Where have you been!

An anomaly can come along that we didn’t see it happening at all and had no idea that it would happen. That anomaly could be very good or not sooo good. There was no way we could see it coming. BUT some things we can see it coming, the odds are in the favor of it happening, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see it coming (i.e. they are just too risky which makes them quite predictable)! The pic is of a tree in our neighborhood. It’s maybe 15 years old and the prevailing wind kept blowing it over to lean to the east. No one staked it against the wind. Soooo now it probably is impossible to straighten. Think about that folks in applying it to life. That is not an anomaly. Saturday question—If we have learned some way of thinking through the years, how will we ever change that way of thinking? JoeBlow says—It’s tough but it can be done! There is a proven way!

This is a multiple choice question! Is this story an anomaly, happenstance or one of God’s miracles?  A client sitting at my desk told me this story maybe 30 years ago. He told me he was the town drunk and had an accident. Having no money or insurance he was sent to the University Hospital where they work on such folks. He said everyone treated him just who he was, the town drunk. They really didn’t want to waste their time and money on him. One night an Angel came in his room and told him that if he believed in Jesus, his life would totally change or otherwise he would die the town drunk. He changed. The next day the staff told him he was a different person. He never drank again and yes, his life was completely different. And is your answer A, B or C? Oh, he said that he tells his story to very few folks as they will just think I’m just the town drunk!

Ok folks, And here is the conclusion of the matter, how do you or I know what we believe is the truth? We might believe it is the truth but maybe it isn’t as we can believe anything we want and that makes it the truth to us. We can believe anyone on Facebook, and they might not have a clue! Or believe a professor at an university or a person at the coffee shop sharing their belief or a brother-in-law or our spouse or our parents. Or maybe the truth is what we experienced in our life and mind and heart and soul. Sooo is our reality what we think the truth really is? Soooo maybe what we just read is just thought provoking but we each get to decide what we want to believe! It is very obvious that we all don’t believe the same or ever will while we are alive here under the sun (i.e. now that is the truth)!  That's my opinion! But remember folks, I'm just a little ol' farm boy from a mile and quarter south of Roseland, MN. 

said to 100,000 folks in the square--"...not to judge, not to close doors thinking hat we have all the truth and no one can tell us anything."

A little old, odd man from San Francisco says--I try to be my self, I don't try to be someone I'm not; I have learned it never works to be a fake. I am who I am! I just try to be myself a.k.a. the real deal!

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

erv

MyDeceasedFriendJean said—Happiness is an unexpected hug.

a boost

In the musical Fiddler on the Roof, Tevye is tortured by the uncertainties swirling around his life and family, asks his wife, “Do you love me?” She replies, “Do I what? Look what I’ve been doing for you the past 25 years!” Love is best measured not by words but by actions. Love is such a boost; to love someone or to be loved by someone. That is my opinion.

When I think of a boost I think of a little push like lifting. Then when a car battery is low or dead, we give it a boost. Then maybe a kid sitting in a booster seat. Then a psychological boost a.k.a. encouragement comes to my mind. What is your first thought that comes to your mind when you think of a boast?

I was communicating with an old Butler County friend by text. I asked her how she was, and she said--I'm as ornery as ever--so I must be fine! She made me smile! Yes, she did. She gave me a boost!

A NBA player, Giannis Antetokounmpo, is called “The Greek Freak” as he is that great. Fans call him a freak and it’s a great compliment to him (i.e. a boost to his confidence). AverageJoe says—I don’t think I will call my wife “The American Freak.” I don’t think that would be a good idea; she would not understand that; I’m sure.  It’s like when a person calls another guy tough it’s a compliment usually but if I would call Jeanne a tough woman it’s not soooo much. And the reality is that she is a very tough person (i.e. mentally and physically strong) as well as being very sweet and kind. It should really be a complement a.k.a. a boost but it appears it might not be understood quite the same as I would mean it (i.e. maybe it could be problematic)! Maybe flowers will be better!

Are we wallowing in a mud hole? What kind of mud hole might we be in? There are many alright and they all are yucky, stinky and dirty. How are we going to get out of them? Who or what is going to give us a boost? What will that boost look like? Are we going to be the boost for someone? Who has been our boost when we were in a mud hole? Or do folks even really want to get out of their mud hole?

CoachB says--If something is constantly tempting us or is constantly irritating us, we should get it out from around us, life will work a lot better. It will give us a boost. CadillacJack says—That is not rocket science, but it really helps to be reminded. Soooo simple but sometimes we are soooo comfortable with our environment and don’t want to change! Violet Stillwater says--Maybe it’s not soooo easy! Such is life.

Recently I had the opportunity to visit with a longtime friend who I haven’t talked to for a long time. He is part-owner and was part of the management team of a large, very successful retail chain company that he was a part of from pretty much from their start. I asked him what’s their niche a.k.a. boast that makes them soooo successful in such a competitive market. He said—Two major things are: we hire quality employees and then train them very well. We found that quality attracts quality. It has really worked for us. My old friend is a top shelf person. I think it starts at the top!

Has a mentor or a person who was an admired example, influenced us, like gave us a boost in our life? Or how about someone who gave us a break or a second chance after we messed up. Or someone who took a chance on us from the get-go. Or even someone who helped us financially to give us an opportunity that we would never have had without their help. I personally have had many boosts in my life (i.e. many by you folks) and I’m very appreciative of them and hopefully we boost others.

I think of boaster clubs and individuals in schools that support extra circular activities of students. What a boast a.k.a. a lift for many students. Or folks who help students with some part of learning that they are having trouble with (i.e. wow, what a boast for many kids). Many of those boasters will never know what they did for kids. Saturday question--Are we a boaster rocket or a dud rocket?

I see Red Bull advertised on TV to give a person a boast. I don’t know if it works as I have never tried it. A great boast for me is Jesus as my example, reading the Bible, meditating, reading my devotions, praying, going to church and being around other believers. It sorta kinda rings my bell a.k.a. boasts my life. You might prefer Red Bull or getting some new high-tech sports equipment or a getting a new vehicle or some other stimuli. ItchieBitchie says I prefer to win the lottery for my boast in life!

I just read that statistics say that about 23% of children in America are raised in a one parent family. Statistics say that one out of three children in the black community in America do not have a daddy in the home. A child raised by loving parents has to be a boast to a child; that’s my opinion.

Humor is a great boast to folks. No question in my mind. The greatest was maybe Abraham Lincoln, one of my heroes, who used humor in the strangest of times and often (i.e. used it almost as parables) which broke tension and just made folks more human (i.e. gave them a boast). An example was during a tremulous cabinet meeting when he told this story: The farmer encounters a large, old tree with a hollow core, rendering it unstable. He is torn between the potential danger of the tree falling and the effort required to cut it down safely. He ends up wishing he hadn't noticed the tree, expressing a desire to ignore the problem. Here is another: I leave it to my audience, --if I had another face to wear, do you think I would wear this one?—(i.e. Lincoln had been called a “two-faced man” by Douglas).

The old saying of—"The whole is greater than the sum of the parts” is thought provoking to me. I am big on being around good folks as I think it influences us very positively.  Now to me that is a huge massive boost. “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work. If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!... A cord of three strands is not quickly broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12).

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

erv

MyDeceasedFriend said—Good bread with fresh butter—the greatest of feasts.

odd

These words seem to be sorta kinda odd to me: Kerfuffle, dissimulate, whippersnapper, bibble, gobbledygook, and cattywampus. Sooooo what makes them odd do you think?

“When I started to count my blessings, my whole life turned around.”—Willie Nelson  Now that might seem odd to some of you and to others it makes complete sense! Soooo who is odd?

“In a chronically leaking boat, energy used devoted to changing vessels is more productive than energy devoted to patching leaks.”—Warren Buffet  Now that might seem odd to some of you and to others it makes complete sense. Sooo who is odd?

Dr.J says—"The key to victory involves our mental diet (i.e. that’s not a head spinning idea). If we feed our thoughts with rotten images and rancid concepts, we’ll be spiritually sick. But if we feed our minds with what is true, noble, just pure, lovely, and praiseworthy, they will be constantly revived and renewed (Philippians 4:8).” It’s maybe like what we put in will come out! Or what we think is what we'll be! I have a friend who I think has two dogs fighting in their heart and soul; a black dog and a while dog; and those dogs maybe have been there all their life; I don’t know. And this friend feeds both of them it seems. My friend is sorta kinda a mugwump (i.e. or what I call a mugrumper—the old bird has their mug on one side of the fence and their rump on the other). That seems odd to me. Why they would do that!

RickyRick says—"We all have an “I” problem: I want it my way; I will do my thing; I have to take care of myself first; I don’t have time for others; I am the most important thing.” It appears to me that many folks are at the mercy of others and have no choice (i.e. including me). Others might send a rocket, and others are dead as an example; one of many situations. I question myself if I or you have any control of any others. Are others at our mercy and grace! What do you think? Do we have power over others? Do others have power over us?

I try to stay in the moment, but it isn’t always easy to impossible. It is very odd how our mind affects us in soooo many ways. OneSmartPerson says--Staying in the moment means embracing the present with all its quirks and mysteries. It's about acknowledging the oddities around us while finding peace in the here and now. When life throws peculiarities our way, it's an opportunity to pause, reflect, and appreciate the diverse tapestry of our experiences. Take a deep breath, look around, and notice the small details—the rustle of leaves, the warmth of sunlight, the sound of laughter. These moments, though seemingly insignificant, weave together the fabric of our existence. By staying present, we can better understand the nuances of our journey and the lessons it offers. As we navigate the peculiarities of life, remember that each moment holds its own beauty and wisdom. Embrace the oddities, cherish the present, and let the flow of time guide you to a deeper understanding of yourself and the world around us.

This might sound odd to you, and it might be odd!  I would like you to think about some of the accomplishments you have made in your life. Those major accomplishments might be accomplishments that no one else even knows about but are major to you. I want you to cherish them, enjoy them and let yourself feel good about them, reminisce with yourself about the good feelings, appreciate yourself, give yourself some ra ra! Even write them down! Admire them! We all have done some good stuff!

Another odd word to me that I never heard before is “formalist.” What can Judas teach us? For one thing, he shows us the danger as how John Bunyan described Judas in character. He called him a Formalist. Formalist is an outwardly religious person but inwardly unconverted. Formalism is having the appearance of faith without the reality; it’s talking the talk without walking the walk. They are not the real deal but a fake, they put on a show. SusieQ says—erv, it’s soooo hard for me to be real all the time; I can be a real phony at times; I'm quite good at it; I can really fake it at times; I'm sorta kinda maybe odd at times! Such is life.

Now I don’t think this is odd, no I don’t. I read while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it, that having a relationship with someone who we can share with, trust, depend on, and enjoy their company makes one’s life much better. Da! We need others! To have such a relationship gives humans a dynamite feeling. To add to that relationship is to love someone and to be loved by someone is a supreme feeling. I am thinking of a person who doesn’t seem happy or content and doesn’t seem to have such a great relationship soooo it appears. It appears that their life is in a quagmire! I would expect that many folks would like a great relationship. And there are many folks who have/had great relationships. And there are many folks who have a lot of scar tissue from relationships as well! Such is life.

The old saying is--We buy on rumor and sell on fact! This might seem odd to you but then again maybe not  A long-time friend a.k.a. point man responded this way when I asked him what his business marketing plan was maybe 4 years ago—“The marketing plan varies if you don’t put it in writing; it seems as though as time goes along we remember it differently.” Boy, that happens in ervie's life plan; it changes alright. Now that is odd or is it just realty!

My mentor told me—"A true gift has no strings attached. If there are strings attached, then it’s a business deal.” WorldClassLarry says—"It’s much like if you want recognition for a gift, then it’s advertising.”  When someone gets a gift and doesn’t understand why they got it, now that is really a gift, actually a special gift. But it might seem odd to some folks. Such is life.

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

erv

MyDeceasedFriendJean said—The odds are always with you if you keep trying.

fascinated

I’m am constantly humbled! Humbled by events in my life, humbled by you folks, humbled by world events, humbled by just simple things! I’m just humbled. For the most part, it is a good feeling. GeorgeTheCook says--It can be a fascinating feeling! It can be! Or it can be a frustrating feeling! Yikes!

I guess the opposite of being fascinated is being frustrated or uninterested. I’m frustrated at times as well. I can choose to be frustrated with issues of the world or I can choose to be fascinated by them. It’s easy to be frustrated by them but harder, maybe, to be fascinated by them. I honestly believe it will be fascinating to follow the process of how the world is going to work through our current situation. Think about that folks!

The MI-Engineer says-- “Getting old is a fascinating thing. The older we get, the older we want to get.” Hey, we all are fascinated about that now aren’t we!  A friend who is 93 likes to be around older folks but tells me it is harder to find them any more. 90 year old Pete and 92 year old Repeat like to play chess together; Pete died, who was left! That old saying reminds me of this saying—I am happy because I’m grateful. I chose to be grateful. That gratitude allows me to be happy!

I suspect we can be constantly frustrated by the world or constantly fascinated by the world. ItchieBitche says—I know both kind of folks, but folks can’t be both at the same time for sure. Actually, many of you folks are very fascinating folks to me! (i.e. you can take that statement two different ways for sure) hahaha!  I had the great experience to be part of a buddiesdeckgroup this last winter. It was fascinating to all of us. The week before we left, we met and considered a project for next year. The group was split; some wanted to do it, some didn’t want to do it and others were on the fence. We all expressed our thinking and opinions (i.e. great open discussion) and we made a decision that was accepted by all (i.e. no hard feelings but a common decision that we thought was best). These guys fascinate me how they handle themselves.

Martin Luther described the dynamics of the Christian life (i.e. my life) this way: “This life is not health but healing; not being but becoming; not rest but exercise. We are not yet what we shall be, but we are growing towards it…This is not the end, but it is the road.” Now that can be fascinating or it can be frustrating!  Oh ya! It’s all how we look at it, my opinion!

We see it occasionally: Someone collapses to the floor upon hearing sudden and shocking news. Or more commonly we see folks burst out in tears upon some news. That sudden and shocking news might be fantastic or disastrous. Our reaction might be the same about an event that has happened in our life. And others can’t tell by looking at us which one happened to us. Is it joy or sorrow! I have never collapsed to the floor, but I have tingled and shuck and cried because of both emotions. Yes, I have! How about you?

No matter what group of folks we are a part of, there are many opinions (e.g. how the money should be spent). WorldClassLarry says—"That can be as simple as in a marriage or as complex as in the national government.” A while back I talked to a friend by phone who taught personal money management, and he explained to me once again that some money management principles are always the same and are primary no matter what folks think. ItchieBitchie says—"It’s not always easy being with other folks who we disagree with about money management. Yes, they might be family members, friends, neighbors or our government. Yes, some simply rub us the wrong way. They can hurt us, and we can disagree with them. Sometimes the problem is our own impatience, intolerance, stubbornness, and pride.”  WhoWhatMe! Moneyrooskie or is it Monkeyrooskie who says—Soooo what, I like the subsidy principle, the more free government money the better, send me more, I love it! SmartPantsMargret says, soooo what, it doesn’t bother me to get free money from the government! I like money anyway I can get it! Abraham Lincoln said—“I believe each individual is naturally entitled to do as he pleases with himself and the fruits of his labor, so far as it in no wise interferes with any other men’s rights.”

I’m fascinated by this! Generally, it doesn’t work very well if there are two chiefs in a project; it’s better to have one chief a.k.a. project manager and the other being just there and not saying much unless asked. JoeBlow says—It doesn’t work when we dance and both try to lead! What works best for you? Soooo Jeanne and I were at a floor company as she wanted some new flooring. I let her talk to the salesperson, and I went outside to watch this guy place a big dumpster in a tight area. He was really good doing it. When he got done, he got out of his truck and gave me a fun thumbs up sign with the expression “is it good.” I gave the thumbs up sign back and we both smiled. I think this experience went well for Jeanne and I and the dumpster driver and the salesperson (i.e. everyone was happy)!  SusieQ says—It’s just good project management!

Aristotle said this about 320BC—"Knowing yourself is the beginning of wisdom.” That was a long time ago, sooo maybe that is old-fashioned thinking or maybe it is just as true today!  Saturday question—How do we get to know ourselves? We might find ourselves fascinating or frustrating. hahaha I had some events happen to me (i.e. happenstance, na, I don’t think soooo) here in Yakima that I really got to know myself better, but I don’t know if I’m any wiser!  I think I am but that might just be my opinion! ANYWAY, the experiences got in my head and affected me positively! And no one else even knows it! Never will! Crazy huh!

The pastor at the Easter service we attended said that Jesus, our Savior, who rose from the dead is an intellectual challenge for many. For some, Easter is fascinating, some frustrating, some unbelievable, and some is a total belief.  For me, Jesus is risen indeed!

AverageJoe says—When we feel enthusiastic about what we are doing, we feel positive energy; it is very simple! It makes us feel fascinated!

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

erv

MyDeceasedFrindJean said--A friend is someone who reaches for our hand but touches our heart. 

PS I got several anonymous email encouragements last week. I say thanksamillion. I really liked them. Very uplifting! They were true gifts! No question about it. Keep pointin'! Nuttin but good will happen to you! Everyone needs encouragement sooooo encourage someone today! It's a fascinating feeling.

my take on it

My take on it isn’t always considered right, now that is for sure, I have found that out many times. In fact, I am at times in the minority in the room is my take on it (i.e. like the guy in the pic).  Take that into consideration when reading this "It's Saturday." Such is life.

I believe in the Biblical meaning of Easter (i.e. my opinion but yours might be different). Yes I do. It’s about repentance and humility (i.e. meaning change our minds; turn around; become humble). Easter is a good time to do that, my opinion. Maybe we want to rethink some of our basic assumptions about God and ourselves. Easter and spring make me feel "oh sooo good;" like new, fresh life. "April hath put a spirit of youth in everything." – William Shakespeare That’s my take on it! But remember folks, my opinions spring up like daffodils!

And your take on it might be different than my take on it, that is for sure. I have found that out many times and continue to have those experiences. It ain’t nuttin new. I have a friend who I respect who just leaves the room if the discussion gets boring or it is skewed or it isn’t a discussion anymore but folks who think they are absolutely always right and dominate the conversation (i.e. a lecture); he doesn’t argue but just leaves the room. I think that is a good maneuver. I respect him. He doesn’t argue his take on it. What do you think? There is an old saying—You can’t win a pissing match with a skunk! Maybe it’s better to just get up and leave the room! Or maybe just ignore them! Or at least, just keep our mouth shut and just listen and just smile. What do you think? That is what I thought!

I read that statement in the paper soooo it must be right! A longtime friend from Butler Co would say to me when I asked her how she is doing—"Better than some but not as good as others!” I sure hear a lot about the economy, and everyone is concerned about how it will affect them. My take on it is like what RickyRick says—"In God’s economy, success isn’t measured by our paycheck . . . but by the motives, methods, and meaningful impact of our efforts.” MoneyMosterAlfred says—"Money is just money; here today and gone tomorrow but I like my cars let me tell ya and also my winter holidays; soooo I’m saying I like my money! It’s all about the money for sure! Don’t kid yourself (i.e. my problem is that I don’t have enough time to use all my toys)!” And everyone is wondering how the economy will affect ME! ME gets a lot of attention let me tell ya; if it doesn’t affect my pocketbook, it’s not near as important. That’s my take on it! Abraham Lincoln said, “I cannot understand why men should be so eager after money. Wealth is simply a superfluity of what we don’t need.” TheGalNorthOfTown who is in full spring bloom, says to me—erv, you are toooo simple; you need more toys!

We usually have a destination where we are going that we like  (i.e. some place we are looking forward to). It might be the shopping mall, a vacation spot, a fishing hole, even the moon etc. Some destinations are just general and some very exact (i.e. like when we use GPS). Many seniors go to AZ as their destination for the winter. Many travel a long way like my Canadian friends who travel many miles to get there (i.e. when it’s winter in Canada, it’s 40 below--eh). CoachB says—"To get to a destination in life, we have to leave from where we are. If we don’t leave, then we will never get to a destination. It’s as simple as that! Da! But if we are comfortable where we are, then sometimes we don’t want to leave. In the big picture, we will never get to our destination in life if we don’t move from where we are!” That is his take on that! I think he is saying: if we just sit on the coach and eat chips it’s really hard to get to our destination and it gets harder the more we eat and sit! Saturday question—What is our destination in life anyway?

Your take on this might be different from the neighbor’s take!  Friends in the 55+ park where we winter have a neighbor who has two dogs. Our tin huts have 8 feet between them on each side and 8 feet to the neighbor’s in the back (i.e. pretty tight but it works, most of the time)! ANYWAY, our friends’ neighbor would take her dogs out to poop and pee but would take them to their 4 feet of rocks in their backyard and not to her own or to the dog park (i.e. they had no idea why she did this). And to top it off, she would not clean up the feces or spray down the pee. After some time, our friends had a conversation with her that she could not continue doing this. She couldn’t understand why it had to change (i.e. she must have had no common sense, or she thought her dogs’ excrements didn’t stink or were not repulsive)!  Da! It changed!!!! Da! Didn’t Robert Frost have a poem that said—Good fences make good neighbors?

Do we think that some folks talk and ack differently when around different folks? It appears to me that some do; I wonder if they are the same person! hahaha; they seem to switch gears or something. But others are always exactly the same. If my observation is correct, why is that? I wonder if sometimes they are in a different zone or sometimes in a different world depending on who they are talking to (i.e. sorta kinda Jekyll and Hyde). If my observation is correct, why do folks do that?

Have we ever thought about taking the high road (i.e. we might enjoy it)! What I mean is when some person presses our button or when there is tense exchange with a friend or family member, we offer them a concession or a compliment that brings down the temperature. Or say I always learn something from you, or I value your opinion. You might blow their socks off! It might even be fun. Remember folks, you can’t win a pissing match with a skunk no matter how hard you try! Soooo maybe just enjoy the situation! That’s my take on it! CadillacJack says—If any of you are staunch black and white folks, you won’t probably want to take the high road. Such is life.

Are humans always right? Da! Are major league baseball umpires always right in calling balls and strikes? Da!  I see in the spring training this year they let pitchers challenge strike and ball calls with automation deciding.  I never did understand why they just don’t use automated strike and ball calling as it is always right compared to human calls as they are sometimes wrong and those calls can play a major role in the result in a game. It seems to me that is sooo “black and white.” That’s my take on it!

I have relearned again how what we say to others and how we treat folks do affect others and also really affects me! Yikes!  Sometimes we won’t know for a long time and maybe never know. But it sure does feel good to hear from folks who were part of our lives from years past. Sooooo others like to hear from us how they have affected our lives from years past also. My take on it is that relationships are important, and it takes effort to maintain relationships.  Sometimes it just ain’t easy. And sometimes relationships just disappear for many reasons. BUT maybe we still think of those folks and they think about us. That is my take on it.

I know a guy who half of what he says isn’t true and the other half I don’t believe!  And others have the same feeling about that person. And some know DuaneTheWorm who only says what it takes to self-glorify himself or put himself in a better position; he never really cares about anyone else except himself. And then I know many of you who are very open and straight forward; you hold nothing back. You are as real as real can be! Guess who folks like to be around? Bingo! And of course, we all know folks who really like to blow themselves up or their family!  And we all know folks who don’t but would rather ask questions about others. Again, who do most folks like to be around. Ralph Waldo Emerson said--“Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.”  Nilis says—"Now, the expression of gratitude and the corresponding feeling is a magical practice that gets me in a beautiful state of peace, contentment, and, well, gratitude.” It seems like folks like to be around grateful folks!  That is my take on it! What is your take on it? That’s what I thought.

As a friend reminds me of what Will Rogers said—Never miss a good chance to shut up.

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

erv

MyDeceasedFriendJean said—We began to move mountains when we start carrying away small stones.

sooooo what

We went wee wee wee all the way home! Yep, we are home in Yakima!

JackCanyonAtTheHooverDam says--This is sarcasm at it best this Saturday! Beware! Don't take any of of this "It's Saturday" serious or personal but if you want to, you may! hahaha

I'm busy right now, can I ignore you some other time.

The pastor in the church in AZ that we attended talked about the bad eggs in Jesus’ genealogy. He had folks raise their hands if folks know their genealogy two generations past, how about 5 generations ago,  how about the 17th century, how about the 16^th century and before that. Many raised their hands in their proud success. Then he said-- soooo what! He said basically in about a few generations, no one on this planet will remember very few of us. A friend from Butler Co tells me that 5 days after I left Butler Co, no one remembered me! hahaha  SusieQ, the queen of Butler Co, says--Who gives a rip. 

I think I noticed a difference in attitude in our 55+ park this year. Not the same excitement as years past. I asked around and the feeling seems mutual with other folks as well. How come? Canadian exchange rate is very bad, the uncertain financial future, and maybe the most prevalent one told to me by a friend is that it is a cyclical change that happens every sooo often (i.e. old folks move on and younger folks come in who have different ideas and ways of living). All of these reasons have happened many times before. Nuttin new! CasinoJoeVagas says—I really don’t care, sooo what! I'll see you at the crap table!

Oh great, another opportunity for you to be right.

Our culture doesn’t give a rip if you are a runner up; but everyone knows the #1; #1 gets the attention. SusieQ says--Our culture, for the most part, doesn’t really care if we are a good person but really cares that we are #1. I think SusieQ, that there are some folks who care if we are good folks and aren’t impressed with others who will do anything to be #1 (i.e. will sell their soul to the country store). WildWilly says--Soooo what, it’s no skin off my back.

A 80+ mother from Forks, WA said that her children really don’t like to talk to her. And when she does call them, they tell her right up front that they don’t want any of her advice. I wonder how that all came about! I don’t think I give much or any advice to our kids nor do they to me. Maybe I do but don’t realize it!  Could be! Maybe subliminal! Or they probably say, we heard it all many times before! They say--We are living our life the way we want toooo! It’s a different time! A different generation! Soooo there! 80+Elanor from Butte, MT says—Soooo what, It’s not my problem, unless they have to come back and live with me!

Oh, you are so modest. I almost didn't notice your giant ego.

I listen to conversations. Some folks tell an event/story and tell every little detail about it (e.g. about their cat playing with a toy). Most folks aren’t interested in all the little details, in fact, many times they aren’t even interested in our stories (i.e. our stories aren’t relevant to them but just to us). They basically say—sooooo what! Soooo maybe if we tell stories, we should try to keep them simple stupid! Maybe my kids aren’t interested in erv’s old folk stories (e.g. all our aches and pains)! I remember going to see an old, friend who was in bad physical health. He never talked about his issues but about something positive. I asked him why he does that. He said—If I talk negative all the time, no one will come and see me! MotorMouthEd says—Soooo what, I don’t give two hoots!

Abraham Lincoln said, "How miserably things seem go be arranged in this world! If we have no friends we have no pleasure; and if we have them, we are sure to lose them., and be doubly pained by the loss"

Soooo what’s the point! I read while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it--We can change the world more by changing our context a.k.a. attitude than by changing our content a.k.a. stuff. It’s our view a.k.a. our context is more important than our content! Euripides once said—“And why should we feel angry at the world? As if the world would notice!” Do you know folks who are angry at the world? JoeSixPack says, soooo what, it doesn’t bother me, let them be angry at the world if they want to! It's none of my business!

Wow, your story is so inspiring. It's really making me want to take a nap.

I was hiking up ‘er in ‘em mountains and a mountain biker turned around in front of me who's name was Chuck. I said to Chuck—It’s all down hill now—yep, I have 6.5 miles all downhill to the parking lot—you must be quite a biker—It’s one of my passions—how old are you anyway—60 but I’m retired; I have been very fortunate as my company was very successful—I have been to ER 42 times, had a concussion, 6 broken ribs, several broken bones, many stiches but last year was the worst as I broke my neck (i.e. he showed my his major scare)—are you crazy or what—It’s one of my passions—so what are your other passions—my other major passion is Big Brothers and Big Sisters organization, I spend a lot of time working with kids—wow—I’m looking for something like that when we get back to Yakima—I suggest you do it—I think I will look into that! BigEd says—Soooo what! Those other things don’t matter to me erv! I need to spend my retirement working on my golf game! JoeSmackTalk says--You might have a point there BigEd, I have seen you play and your golf game needs help but I doubt if your working on it will make any difference! Besides BigEd, who really cares if your golf score goes down from 110 to 105? You might not have kept score correct anyway!

I asked the lady sitting next to me as we were deplaning in Atlanta--Is Atlanta your home? Jeanne and I  had a nice little talk with her. She was a retired university president. A very delightful lady. She told us about her life—She was raised a privileged child and her children are privileged children. She said she has had a very good life. She told us that she spends part of her money on herself, eats part of her money (i.e. meaning her living expenses), she gives away part of her money and saves part of her money. But she said--My most important part of my life is my relationship with Jesus.  And to answer your question, I’m flying here to Atlanta to see a friend who is dying! BigShotHarvey says, soooo what, Whatever!

Oh, I'm sorry. I forgot you exist only when you need something.

CoachB says—People want change but don’t want to change; 99.9% of changes that happen is from within us. Think about that folks.  VioletStillwater says--And remember folks, a donkey in a tuxedo is still a donkey!  I was pondering while drinking my coffee early one morning this: how important is reassurance? I seem to think that it is soooo easy to make a change and just as easy to fall off the wagon. I and everyone needs reassurance. And where do we, our children, and grandchildren, our spouses and our friends get reassurance that they are doing what is right?  CactusPeteFromJackot,NV says—Soooo what, I couldn’t care less! It’s no big deal! It doesn’t matter to me! Who cares!

The mountainbikerChuck told me—It’s fun to work with kids who want to change but don’t have the opportunity compared to others who just want help but don’t want to change. JoeSmuck says, soooo what!  If folks don’t want to change, it’s not worth my time!

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

erv

MyDeceasedFriendJean says--It's better to try and fail than to never know and always wonder.