The Dog Chaser

Many years ago, I held a job as a meter reader. Going onto people's properties to get to an electric or gas meter could sometimes be an adventure.

I remember this one house that raised about two feet off the ground. It set back about one hundred feet away from the front fence. The electric meter was on the right rear side of the house. As any seasoned meter reader would do, I checked for signs of trouble before entering. I rattled the gate, saw no food bowls or animal tracks, and called out to alert anyone or anything that I was entering.

I cautiously approached the house and remained alerted for possible unseen danger. It was not until I reached the front corner before a full-grown German Shepherd came from under the house running full speed in my direction. He was not happy with my presence in his territory.

It is truly amazing how fast the mind can think. I went through possible scenarios of escape. I could not outrun the dog, at least not in the distance required. In those tenths of seconds that I had, I was struggling to get a reasonable idea. No good ideas came to mind.

Out of time and needing to act fast, I acted on impulse with what seemed like an incredibly stupid plan. I took my handheld device for inputting readings from the meters, lifted it over my head with one hand and ran at the German Shepherd full speed yelling.

What was I thinking? At this point, not a lot.

The result of my action was more than I could have expected. The German Shepherd's hair stood straight up on its back.  It turned and ran as far away from me as it could and hid. I was able to back out of the yard with the electric meter's reading. I was able to calm down and breathe again.

We all have problems that we face in life. Ignoring them does not make them disappear. Sometimes these problems are developed over a long time. Sometimes they present themselves suddenly.

I thought about this story when I read about David and Goliath. Goliath was a big problem for David, but he ran towards the problem to defeat it.

We certainly need to be watchful of possible troubles to avoid them from becoming catastrophic. I do not mean live in fear of everything just do not let your guard down. Do not run from the trouble in your life. Do something to overcome it.

Most of the time, we will have more time to think about what to do than just tenths of a second.  Use the time to prepare a winning strategy. Talk to people that have succeeded in dealing with the same sort of trouble. Some people are not looking out for your best interest. Make sure you consult with wise and knowledgeable people.

Like people have said, "Doing something is better than doing nothing." You can always check and adjust your plan later if needed.

Blockbuster Trade

I am not a big basketball fan. I enjoy the game enough to go watch a live game but not enough to watch it on television. The extent of getting information on my local team is hearing about it on the radio news on my morning commute. 

For the last several years, I have heard how we need a new coach. The team replaced the old coach, and new hope arrived. After the first year, the call for a new coach and a new general manager started. The team has had its difficulties. We have one of the best players in the game and occasionally get into the playoffs, only to lose in the first round. 

This year has been no different. Every morning for many weeks, the sportscasters start suggesting that rather than aiming for the playoffs, try for a lottery pick in the NBA draft. Maybe we will have better luck next year with new coaches and players. 

This morning, the news was much different. I turned on my car radio and heard, "The Pelicans were going to acquire DeMarcus Cousins in a blockbuster trade." The sportscaster also added how the team now has a legitimate chance of not just reaching the playoffs but doing well. 

Again, I am not enough of a basketball fan to know the impact this trade would make. By the sound of the reporter's voice, the team has newfound hope I am aware that local media sometimes over dramatizes how big of a trade can be so I checked out NBA radio. The national media apparently agrees that this is a huge move for the team and possibly for basketball. 

Sometimes in life, we would love to start over. Maybe go somewhere that nobody knows us and start fresh. While a fresh start sounds nice, often it ends with very mixed results. The reason starting over is not always prudent is because we are the problem. We bring our own issues with us wherever we go.  

Most of us do not need a complete overhaul. We simply need to get rid of a few things that hold us back and add something better. 

Would we be better off if we traded hatred for love, discord for peace and selfish ambition for self-control? This would be a blockbuster trade. The results could bring hope. It could bring change to everything around you. It could even bring you success. 

We need to stop trying to change our situations and look inwardly for what we can change ourselves.   

Carnival and Mardi Gras

Carnival has arrived. The weather has started getting cooler but is still unpredictable. Crawfish is back in season. Parades, marching clubs, and King Cakes will continue until Mardi Gras day, also known a Fat Tuesday. 

Not everyone loves Carnival or Mardi Gras. Many locals plan annual vacations to get away from the craziness, but I am not one of those people. This is my favorite time of the year. 

This weekend, I went to four parades. I love the beautiful artwork on the floats, the marching bands playing music and dancing, the creative costumes, and watching the people all around me. Every parade is a new adventure. Nothing is ever the same. You may see some of the same floats and bands, but the people around you make the biggest difference. 

It is a time to relax. Some people barbecue, some have crawfish boils, some play music, some just hang out with friends. Yesterday, I brought my wife to the parades. She is not a big fan as I am. We ate po’boys, a local favorite sandwich. I had one with roast beef while she enjoyed one with shrimp. We enjoyed some Big Shot sodas, another local staple.

Mardi Gras has a reputation of women exposing themselves for beads. That is something mainly done by tourists on Bourbon Street in the French Quarter, but I choose not to go there at this time of year. In fact, I do not recall seeing this at any parade I have attended in the 40+ years I have attended. Most parades are family friendly. 

I have met remarkable great people at parades. My wife thinks I have the words "Talk to me" written on my forehead that others can see. People I have never met, and not just at parades, start conversations with me. This is one of my favorite parts of Carnival. I enjoy interacting with people that I would never meet on any other occasion. You never know someone until you talk to him or her. It is surprising what you can learn from people by just sitting next to them and saying hello. 

Getting a "good spot" requires getting to the parade route early. Sometimes we sit and wait for a couple of hours. It is a good time to talk to those that are with you, but also to meet new people. 

Watching people is one of my favorite things. There are so many things to see before the parades even arrive. Some people dance to the music someone is playing, some throw footballs, or Frisbees, some are in costume, and some just sit and watch. There is no shortage of entertainment before the parade starts. 

Not everyone can enjoy Mardi Gras or carnival in New Orleans, but we can all take a moment to step back and relax. We have responsibilities, but we also have to take a break, even if for a moment. Life is too short to stay stressed. Enjoy life. Meet new people, Do something new. As we say here, "Laissez le bon temp rouler" meaning, Let the good times roll.

The Big Game

If you enjoy watching sports, there is always the big game that you do not want to miss. It does not matter if it is the World Series, the NCAA National Championship game, or the World Cup. For me, I love watching the Super Bowl. 

I love having friends over, each bringing food, and having a big party. The parties have ranged in attendance from 20 people to as many as 40. Many people that come do not even care about football. They come to be around the people and the fun.

This year, two of the teams that I hate were in the Super Bowl. I cannot stand the Patriots, and the Falcons are bitter rivals of my home team. However, I love the sport, so I watch the game regardless of the participants.

I remember watching many lopsided Super Bowls where the game was almost unwatchable. This year, it looked like that would happen again since the Falcons had taken an eighteen-point lead by halftime and extended that to a nineteen-point lead after three-quarters.

Despite not liking these talented teams, I must admit that the Patriots coach is in a league of his own when it comes to making adjustments after halftime. The team seems to remain poised and confident even when trailing by such a large margin. Then the work began.

In the fourth quarter, the Patriots score a field goal, then a touchdown with the 2-point conversion, then another touchdown with the 2-point conversion. This ties the game and for the first time in Super Bowl history, the game goes into overtime.

On the first and only drive of overtime, the Patriots win with a touchdown.

If only everyone had confidence where despite the odds, he or she knew overcoming would be possible. Confidence is something we need to instill in ourselves. We must find a way to flip that switch from doubt to belief. 

We need to forget about past failures and look forward to success. We need to learn to put aside the negative things which others have said and start focusing on the positive. Strengthen your weaknesses. Work within your strengths.

Do not be overconfident, but do not sell yourself short.

One player does not win the Super Bowl. It takes a team. Rely on those you trust but remember that not everyone has the same goals.

Confidence does not ensure victory, but adding work to faith makes it a lot more attainable.