The Draft

Various sports around the world hold drafts that allow them to choose which players they will sign contracts. The earlier a player is drafted usually corresponds to the amount they will be paid. This is similar to children picking captains to choose who will be on their team. The captains normally select the better players first, while the other children just do not want to be the last one.  

Sometimes the teams making the choices are fortunate to find a hidden gem that works out better than expected. Too many times, someone selected too soon is cause for heartbreak. Drafts are highly unpredictable. You really do not know what you have until you have worked with them.

Many instances of life are similar to drafts. In politics, we vote for someone we do not really know to keep the promises they make. Sometimes they do, but for a variety of reasons, they more often do not. 

Job interviews are also like this. Some people interview well and get the job unable to fulfill the demands. Those not selected may exceed the job requirements, but they are unable to master the interview.

Fixing missed opportunities can be a lengthy and costly process. 

We can choose our friends, as well. Sometimes we choose well. Then we have those times when we wonder how we got involved with some of them. I have been very fortunate. I have great friends. I may not see them all as often as I like. This is largely because of where everyone lives these days. However, with technology, it is easier to stay in contact. 

The one thing we cannot choose is our family members. I would also like to say, that I would still draft everyone in my family. From siblings to cousins and even my in-laws, they all have been a blessing in one way or the other. There are some with whose opinions I may never agree. Some make decisions that I do not understand. What difference do things make? They are still some of the greatest people I have ever met. 

If I had to draft family members, I would miss some things that make me who I am. No family is perfect. Nevertheless, my family is perfect for me.

I hear people complain about their families. Bad relationships have ruined the mere concept of family for some. Some of the reasons they have are understandable, but my heart goes out to these people. I think they are missing out. 

I wish everyone could have the large, loud, and possibly obnoxious family and friends that I do. I think family is important. Fortunately, some friends are more like family. For those that do not think they have a great family, find a few good friends. Some do not know how to make friends. The best way to make a friend is to be friendly.  

What do you want to eat?

Whether there are only two people or many, the question of where or what to eat seems to come up. We often repeat the question several times because no one wants to make a decision. Finally, after getting tired or hungry, someone names a place, and everyone settles for it.

More often than not, people know what they do not want but are not sure of what it is they truly desire. Others just do not want to make a choice in fear that others may reject what they really want. 

Today, I saw a car on the interstate trying to decide whether to exit or not. He finally took the exit and at the last possible minute swerved back in front of me to stay on the interstate. Fortunately, my brakes work well, and an accident was avoided.

Indecision is a problem. Some things, like dining out, are not as important as causing possible crashes.  Some things matter a lot more. I would never want to hear a plumber tell me that they were unable to decide if the natural gas lines in my house were leaking or not.

We need to make decisions. It is not always a fun thing to do. What do you want out of life? How do you plan to accomplish your goals? Will others need to assist with your plans? There are questions that need answering.

One of the decisions we must make is to have faith or live in doubt. It is a choice that we must make. If you think something is possible, it is. If you doubt you can do it, you probably will not. If you cannot decide what to believe, you have already begun the process of failing.

If you choose to live in faith, you must decide what it is that you choose to believe. I chose how I wanted to raise my family. I chose to believe that my plan would work. I chose not to abandon that plan. After 25 years, my choice seems to have paid off. This does not mean I made no mistakes. I just had to adjust a few things here and there to keep on track.

Making the right choices helps you achieve what you want. The Bible even says when you ask anything from God you must ask in faith without doubting. If you doubt, do not think you should receive anything from him.

Whether in business, relationships, or just in life itself, be confident of what you want. Be confident in your choices. I often hear that making the wrong choice is better than making no choice. That is true because you can always fine-tune things along the way. You cannot alter your direction if you are not going anywhere.

When Life Hits

Stephen Piscotty is the starting right fielder for the St. Louis Cardinals. He accomplished something that I have never seen until now. The ball hit him three times on the same trip around the bases.

A pitch hit his right arm that allowed him to go to first base. Then on a dropped pitch, he went to second, but the ball hit him on the arm during the play. Finally, as he went home, the ball hit him in the head. He laid there for several minutes before walking off the field under his own power. By the way, he did score on the play.

This was just the second game of the Cardinals season. Last year, a pitch hit Stephen 12 times, which ties him for eighth most in 2016.

There are times when life hits us hard. Sometimes it hits us several times in a short period. In tough times, we must make the decision to press forward. When we walk through the fires of life, we may end up with a few scars, but we can learn from those experiences. Even better is that we can teach others how to make it through the flames they face.

Some decide life is not fair and quit. They end up with no great accomplishments. No one benefits from his or her challenges or experience. Quitting benefits no one. Running from your problems does not make them go away. Usually, there is another one lurking right around the corner. Learn to get through one and use that experience to be victorious over the next one.

It is like learning how to walk. You take a step and then fall. You get back up and take another step. Falls will continue to be there for a while. One day, the falls stop. You learn how to stay upright. We need to do this in life.

This weekend, Sergio Garcia won his first major golf tournament at The Masters. This was his 74^th attempt at winning a major.  The lack of a major did not make him a bad golfer. In fact, between 2000 and 2009 Sergio ranked in the top 10 for over 300 weeks. He ranked as high as second in 2008. I am certain he is glad he never quit.

Time continues whether you see success or not. We need to make the best choices. We need to stay in the game. It may seem like you are accomplishing nothing, but you are gaining experience that can be used. You can share and teach the life lessons you learned. You may never win a Masters Tournament. You may never score in a Major Baseball League game. You can win at life.

If you lack some knowledge or skill that helps you to succeed, seek that knowledge or skill. Learn whatever you can learn. Learning may be easier than making the decision to seek the missing components. However, if you do not seek the tools required, you will never find them. Make the decision to continue. Stay in the game until you meet your goal. Never give up. 

The Best Me

“Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery that mediocrity can pay to greatness.” ― Oscar Wilde

While I am not a big fan of impersonators, I have always appreciated the talent one uses to sound like another person. I cannot impersonate a specific person, nor can I imitate accents. In fact, all of my accents sound identical to the one before it. However, impersonating their voice and imitating them are two different things.  

Many people have role models. Some dress, talk, and act like them even to the point of reading the same books or eating the same breakfast. To some degree, this can be a good thing. Sometimes, it is not. 

Just because you follow the example of a successful businessperson, does not mean you will have the same results. The results may be better if you follow their example in some areas. However, is trying to succeed without being true to yourself you truly a success? 

I am a firm believer in being you. My goals and dreams are not dependent on what others are doing. They may have similar ideas, and I may be able to take some of the things that worked for them and apply them to my situation. Nonetheless, my background is not identical to their background. My thoughts and feelings are not always their thoughts and feelings. My values may be different from their values. Similar does not mean the same. There are always differences. 

We tend to do things how our instructors taught us. If I trust my teacher, why would I change? Maybe there is more than one way to accomplish the same thing. Maybe there is a more proficient way for me to accomplish the same goal. There always seems to be more ways to the same end. One path may be easier for you while another path is better for me. 

I believe we all have unique skills and talents. We should use the skills we have to fulfill whatever our purpose in life may be. We should refine those skills. We should practice those skills. We should even add to our skill set, if possible. "That is just who I am" should not be an excuse to fail or misbehave. 

Anyone who knows my youngest son and I know we both look and act incredibly similar. However, there are differences because we are not the same person. We do not need two of me walking on this planet. I need to be me, but I also need to be the best me that I can be. 

Imitating someone may be flattering to them but being the "best" you that you can be is what makes you special. 

Curling

This weekend the 2017 World Women's Curling Championships was on television. Being from the south where football reigns, I do not frequently watch this sport. The game appears easy enough to understand but seems to take a lot of balance, strategy, and an understanding of geometry. 

In an oversimplified explanation, someone slides a 40-pound stone down 150 feet of ice to reach a target or to knock another stone out of the way while two other people with brushes sweep the ice ahead of the stone to control the speed of the stone. 

I see a relationship between curling and everyday life.

We are the stone sliding through life. There is a destination or a goal that we are trying to reach. We rely on others to help us reach that goal. This explanation of life is also an oversimplification.

We do not all have the same goals in life. Goals for which we are aiming may include business success, better relationships, making the world a better place or fulfilling whatever we consider our purpose to be. 

The target is straight ahead of us. We just need to get there. The problem is life is like ice. It is slippery. The possibility of staying on course for the whole trip is difficult. Distractions try to pull us off course or to slow us down. There are things that we do that may stop us from getting to the target. Knock the distractions blocking you from your goal out of the way.

We need assistance to reach our goals. Some people have lists to keep them focused. Others have people around them to encourage them to stay on track. Some rely on God and the scriptures to show them the correct way to go.

Whatever your purpose in life is, be careful not to just slide on the ice without assistance or direction. Let something or someone help guide you. Life is a team sport. Assist others with their goals and allow others to help you fulfill yours. No one reaches his or her destination alone. 

When Tomorrow Comes

The dictionary defines Tomorrow as the day after today. The very definition proves the proverb "tomorrow never comes." However, we know that tomorrow will come disguised as today. Sometimes we are ready for it. At other times, we dread its arrival. 

I once hated a job so much that on my first day of vacation I dreaded my return. I did not enjoy my vacation. I could not appreciate my time with my family. They deserved my attention, but my focus was the fear of going back to that awful workplace. The stress levels were so high that I struggled to sleep. There were days when I could not help but cry over my situation. My wife told me to quit my job, but how would I support my family? 

I feared tomorrow would come. In that circumstance, it always came too early. 

Many years later, I look back and am glad that I was able to get free from that place. It only took a phone call to a previous boss to get a position that allowed me to regain enjoyment in life. Had I not decided to make that call, I would hate to think of how things would have turned out.  

There are still times when I wish tomorrow would never come. Normally, those times are when I am enjoying today so much, I never want it to end. When I spend time with my family, I would love for that moment to be endless. This is especially true when that family time involves my granddaughter. While I do not dread tomorrow in these instances, I only wish for today to linger. I have a great family. I love each one of them. Time together is not necessarily rare, but it never seems to be enough. (They may or may not feel the same way about time with me.)  

I can hardly wait for some tomorrows to arrive. Just like not wanting to leave my family, I cannot wait for the time to come to gather with them. When that is tomorrow, it cannot come soon enough. 

Paydays, holidays and weekends are some of the days I love to see coming. Obviously, I cannot wait for more than these days to arrive. My wedding day was one such day. On Friday, Saturday could not come quick enough. Some people are nervous about their wedding day, but I was as calm as I could be. I knew I made the right choice. I knew what I wanted. My life would change, and it did so for the better. Who would not be thrilled to have something great arrive sooner than later?

  

Regardless of what you want, tomorrow comes. We cannot wait for something so eagerly that we do not enjoy the present. We also should not dread anything so much, that it ruins today. The manner in which we wait is just as important as what we anticipate.  

Prepare for tomorrow's arrival but realize that today is worth living. Sometimes it only takes a change of attitude or thinking that can make your current situation better. It may also take action, like a phone call. However, do not ruin your today but waiting for tomorrow.   

Enjoy today!

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME

I am not a supporter of Daylight Savings Time. In fact, I hate it. Port Arthur, Ontario, Canada started this in 1908. Germany was the first country to use it so they could conserve fuel during the war in 1916. Over 70 countries currently use the time change. The point is to make better use of the natural daylight.  

I do not know many people that enjoy changing the clocks twice a year. Laziness is not why they hate it. It is the losing an hour of sleep and regaining it months later. It throws people out of their routines. People appear more tired. Our bodies seem to take longer to adjust. 

In fact, we do not actually save any time. You still have the same amount of time throughout the year. My question is simple. Is this something that we need to continue, or has it outlived its purpose? 

Journals have published articles about the effects of the time change. Groups have conducted studies on the subject. It appears that the time change sparks more heart attacks and strokes, more auto accidents, and a reduction in work productivity. 

Studies have been unable to show any significant energy savings as a result. Many people have voiced the preference to change the laws, but only Arizona and Hawaii do not change their clocks.  

To me, the idea of continuing Daylight Savings Time is madness. 

People and businesses often refuse to let go of ideas or practices that no longer prove beneficial. We are often stuck with the thought of "it is what we have always done." Maybe we need to look at the direction we are going and the methods we are using to see if they are helping or hurting our goals.

Technology, society, and circumstances can make what was once a necessity into something outdated and impractical. Yet, many people continue their journey but never accomplishing what they once would. 

I once heard a man say, "If the horse you are riding dies, get off the horse." That is great advice. There are committees, meetings, and business plans that should be extinct. Letting go may be hard to do. We should periodically look at what we do. If something is not working, adjust it. Get rid of ideas that are no longer viable. There may be a better idea out there that will help you achieve your goals. 

Do not let pride get in the way. It may have been your idea, but it is more important to complete your purpose than to receive credit for a failed mission. If you cannot see why things are not moving in the right direction, ask others for the perspective. Others may see what you cannot. 

THE DIET SOLUTION

For the last twenty years, I have seen my weight fluctuate quite a bit. This is not surprising since I love food. Some people eat because they need to survive. I eat food for my enjoyment.

A doctor once asked me how a person could possibly gain that much weight in such a short amount of time. (I found a new doctor.) Another doctor once called my weight loss an anomaly asking how I could possibly lose that much weight so quickly.

I have read about many diet plans. I examined the pros and cons about most of them. I have scanned many articles about what worked for others in their search for a better, healthier body. I have even looked at the benefits of diet pills.

What I discovered was far from a mind-blowing discovery. Everyone said the same thing but in a different way. It all came down to eating less unhealthy foods, eating more healthy foods, and move a lot more. It is not rocket-science.

I laughed when I read the directions on the side of the diet pill bottle at the store. It said that the product is effective in aiding weight loss with a proper diet and exercise. Why take a pill if I still have to do the other things needed to lose weight?

I can lose weight. That is not the issue. My problem is I like to eat what I like to eat. What I like to eat makes me regain the weight I lost.

When I lose the weight, people ask me how I lost it. What plan did I use? I used the same thing everyone else does, but it only works if I am motivated.

Motivation is the key. I wanted to lose 30 pounds for my son's wedding, I did. Another time, I lost 30 pounds so my wife would no longer hear my heartbeat when sitting near me. I lost 40 pounds to avoid needing medicines the doctor prescribed.

Motivation can help accomplish great things, not just in weight loss. Everyone has things that make him or her respond. Most people know what changes they need to make to help them be successful in making the change. Even knowing how to make the change is useless if you are whatever endeavors they face. We need to go from knowing what to change to not motivated to continue.

Find out what motivates you. Providing for and watching your family grow up may be a motivation. Staying off or getting off medicines may be a motivation.

Motivations are not the same for everything. Wanting to get off medicine will never help me do my best at my job. I must have another reason. I am motivated to be friendly. There is a motivation behind everything I do successfully.

If you want to be successful, find out what will truly motivate you. Having a legitimate reason behind your goals will help you stay on the path to accomplishment.

You may need to make the same changes as someone else, but only you can determine what will get you to do it.

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.

New Glasses

I remember getting into several fights as a child. I do not recall the reasons behind most of them. Knowing me, I was probably the cause of most of them, probably said something stupid. I was a small farsighted kid. Many times, I would hand my glasses to someone to hold before throwing a punch. Other times, my parents would pick me up from school with the remnants of what used to be eyeglasses in my metal lunch kit as I shook the box so they could hear the soon to be replaced remains.

As I grew older, I went through a time where I no longer needed glasses. My eyes were changing.

As a teenager, I was driving my mom around and ran three stop signs. She questioned me as to the reason why and I simply responded with, “what stop signs?” Shortly after, my parents brought me to the optometrist. My dad pointed to a sign on the door across the waiting room, and I could not even see a sign, much less than read what it said.

I walked out with a prescription for new glasses to correct my shortsighted vision. I was amazed at what I could see. Things at a distance were now clear. I thought everyone saw things far away, as I did, fuzzy and unclear.

Just over 30 years later, my eye doctor informed me, I need bifocals. I can still read without my glasses, but with them, I read clearer.

Seeing things clearly is a wonderful thing. I no longer run stop signs. I can now see the words on a sign and not just the frame of the sign. There is nothing wrong with getting help to see things better.

I wish everyone could see clearly and not just physically.

People talk about being optimists, but some are positive only when things are going their way. Others are positive regardless of the situation. Some are always negative. None of us can be right one hundred percent of the time. Sometimes we need help to see things more clearly.

I know what I believe and why I believe it. However, I have heard differing opinions that revealed some errors in my thinking. When proven wrong, I have changed my opinion.  Being stubborn to other beliefs keeps us blind. Not being emotional or hardheaded breaks barriers and often results in a clearer vision.

Arguments never help anyone, but honest and open discussions may. You never know who may help your vision become clearer. Do not believe everyone or everything without knowing all of the facts but listen to others. It has taken me many years to listen to some, but I enjoy being able to see. My hearing has cleared some of my vision.

The Fiery Crotch

In the evenings, I work on the sales floor in a retail store. Phone calls asking for information occur regularly. Most of these callers ask if we carry a certain product or have any on hand. Not all calls are the same.

The call happened about three years ago. I was straightening the shelves in my department when a phone call came for the health care section. I answered the call since this is a portion of my area.

The caller wanted to speak to the pharmacist, but the pharmacy closed earlier. The caller decided to see if I could assist. The caller asked me what she could put on her “itching crotch”. I informed her that I was not a pharmacist nor medically trained and could not offer an opinion. I would have thought that she would have stopped there and called an open pharmacy, but she persisted.

With a sense of urgency, she said her crotch itched so badly that it was on fire. She demanded that I give her the name of something that she could use to soothe the burning. I informed her once again that the pharmacy closed and would reopen the following morning.

“You do not understand how much my crotch itches; it burns so bad I cannot take it.” Without exaggeration, she repeated these words no less than six or seven times. She finally understood that I would not offer any medical advice and told me she would call back in the morning. She informed me, “I should be okay by then, and I have my son putting Aloe Vera on it for now.”

Not much surprises me; however, this last statement caught me completely off guard. You can never be positive about the person on the other end of a call. The voice did not seem to be an elderly person. The woman sounded to be an adult younger than middle age. I immediately felt bad for the child given this task.

I thought this must have been a joke a coworker was playing on me. After telling this story a multitude of time, no one has taken credit. I must assume the call was real.

I hope this woman received comfort. I hope this did not scar the child for life.

There are people in this world that have problems. They may not be physical problems. Some of these problems are messy. Sometimes people do not have others to “rub Aloe Vera” on them.

It takes a lot of love to help someone with his or her problems. We may try to dodge assisting because we are not trained professionals, but we can do something for them even if it is just taking time to listen.

Do not be afraid to get your hands dirty. Be there for people. It takes love and compassion. Treat others, as you want to be treated. Who knows? Maybe one day you will need help with a fiery crotch type of problem.

The Heat Index

“It is not just the heat. It is the humidity.” How many times have we heard this saying? Living in the south, you hear it almost daily most of the year. The other term we hear for a short time is the wind chill factor.  A formula determines what the temperature feels like to our bodies.  The National Weather Service came up with the formula used today.

I have no idea what 95° feels like because when it is 95°, the meteorologists tell me it feels like 110°. What does 110° feel like? I have no clue because if it gets to 110°, they will tell me it feels like something else. What type of scientific nonsense is this?

I wear a t-shirt outside, and my coworker wears an overcoat on the same day. I am certain that he does not agree with how I think the temperature feels.  My body tells me whether it is hot or cold. I do not need someone else to determine if I need a coat or a pair of shorts based on the weather.

I would love to have a job that tells people how it feels today. “Your dog died, and your car broke down, but it is going to feel great today.”  However, news stations pay good money to people telling us how the weather is going to feel.  Can I not just go outside and see what it feels like me?

We also allow others to do this in other areas of our lives. People tell us how we should think. Some tell us how we should feel. Others tell us what to do. When did we stop thinking, feeling and doing for ourselves?

When my dad died, some said I should be happy because he is in a better place. I would not consider my feelings as happy. He may be better off, but I am not thrilled that I will not see or hear him again until after I am gone. Sure, I miss him and go on with my happy life, but happy that he is dead is not an option to me.

When things have gone wrong in my life, some have told me I should be angry. What good does being angry do? I choose to move on and see the better things in life. In the same manner, I have heard people say, “Get over it.” Maybe that is how you feel, but you do not feel the way I do. Some people take longer to get over things. That is all right. Let them take their time.

Often people ask me how I can go through the things I have and keep a smile on my face. The answer is simple. I choose to enjoy life. That does not mean I am always happy, but I try to let the unhappy times be short.

What I am trying to say is do not let others tell you what to do or how to feel. It is your life. Others can influence you, but you have to make the choices and live with them. Choose wisely.

FRUSTRATION AT MY OWN IGNORANCE.

I have a tendency to drive vehicles until they leave me stranded and repairs would cost more than the car. I have sold many cars and trucks to scrap yards. When they get to a certain point, I drop all of the insurance except for liability.

My last vehicle was a 2005 Nissan Murano with just over 230,000 miles on it. On Tuesday, it decided that it had enough of me. I had it towed to my usual repair shop after they had already closed.

On Wednesday, the shop called and informed me that it was time to pull the plug on its life support because the cost of the new CVT transmission would “out value” the car. Before the day was over, I drove off a car lot with my new vehicle with only 23,000 miles on it. I am excited about the new car, but not about having to pay a car note again.

On Thursday morning, I called the insurance company to swap the insurance over from the Murano. The agent asked me if I wanted the same amount of coverage. I thought that was an odd question since I only held liability insurance. She informed me that I had full coverage on the Murano. I questioned her since I know that I dropped all but liability. After further review, I had never dropped the coverage on this vehicle. How did I not know I was fully covered?

Several years ago, someone cut me off on the interstate and then slammed on his brakes. I swerved to miss him and ended up with a blowout. It caused me to spin across three lanes of traffic hit the guardrail and spin me in the other direction until I sat facing oncoming traffic. The car that cut me off continued on its route.

I had a big dent in the rear bumper with obvious damage to its support and the transaxle broke along with a few other things. The tow truck brought my Murano to a shop, and I had the shop fix only what would make the vehicle road worthy. Any repairs of the cosmetic damage, like the bumper, I put on hold since I had to pay for the repairs out of pocket. This of course was because I THOUGHT I only had liability.

It pays to know. I drove about four years with a dented bumper and spent much more on repairs than had I paid the deductible.  How frustrating to know my ignorance cost me so much?

Many times in life, we think we know things, but sometimes we think incorrectly. We should verify what we know and believe. The older I get, the harder it is to remember certain details.  I cannot take things for granted. I need to continue to learn and review. I want to know not only what I believe but also why I believe it. Maybe we all can learn a lesson and review so that forgetting or being ignorant will not cost us more than it should. The cost can be more than money. It can be stress, undue hardships or worse.

People say the truth will set you free, but you must know what the truth is for it to do its job. 

New Year Excitement

Every year, people take this time of the year to remember the things that have transpired in the previous year. The media published top ten lists that friends can debate. Rarely are everyone’s lists the same. My top ten movies are probably not the same as yours.

Every year there has its successes and failures. Last year, I lost 40 pounds from May to November, but in the last 2 months, I have seen an increase in 14 pounds. In sports, my New Orleans Saints looked bad, then really good, then bad again.

Good or bad, we do not live in last year. We live in the present year. Every year starts with celebrations. While the past year has people and events we miss, the New Year offers us a new hope and a fresh start.

It is up to us how we proceed. Many will dwell on the past. They will tell others of their great achievements. Others will recall their losses or failures. Remembering the past is one thing, but living in the past is another.

I chose to move forward.

I do not know what tomorrow will bring. I do not know how this year will compare to last year or to the following year. The excitement of the New Year is like opening a gift. You are not sure if you get what you really wanted or a set of ugly pictures that have be re-gifted year after year. Only time will tell.

I want to live as though this year will be the best ever. I want to live life as if this were my last one on earth. I want to make new friendships that will last for years to come. I want my family to grow through marriage and births. I want those around me to be able to laugh and enjoy life with me.

These are not resolutions. These are my hopes. Some may want more money, better jobs, or better health.

Of course, I want those things, as well, but I really just want to make the people around me happy. I love smiling faces. Laughter is the best medicine.

The New Year offers no guarantees. Some things that will happen will be out of our control. How we respond to things is completely in our control. If you fail, get up, learn from what went wrong, and try again or move on to something else. If you succeed, continue or move on to the next thing. Even better, help someone else to succeed.

This year, I hope people quit complaining and start telling jokes. I hope people will stop the practice of destructive-criticism and offer practical advice and encouragement. I hope the many divisions of people can move past the hurts and come together in unity.

Accomplishing these things start with us. I hope I will be the person to start the change in the New Year. I can only affect those around me. It takes more than just me. It takes a bunch of individuals to decide for themselves how they will affect positive change.

Be positive. Be helpful. Be the change.

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year.” At least, that is how the song goes. Usually, the holiday season is full of excitement and anticipation. The end of the years brings us Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Eve. In my immediate family, it also brings three birthdays and two wedding anniversaries. This year also brought a college graduation. It is normally a great ending to the year. The season is full of good times, but it also has its issues. This year has had its share of the good, bad and ugly.

THE GOOD: Getting to celebrate anything with family is a wonderful time for me. I love my immediate family and my extended family. Not everyone can say that! We celebrate the holidays when our schedules will allow. Celebrating Christmas/Thanksgiving on a weekend before the actual holiday does not take away from the season for me. It is not about the food, the gifts, or the traveling. It is about being together.

THE BAD:  We can always find something about which to complain. While shopping, people shopping can be rude. Traffic becomes a problem. Stress can get to elevated levels. Waiting until the last minute to shop and not being able to get the one gift that would make the holiday better for someone can leave us feeling unaccomplished. We must take the bad with the good. The bad makes the good seem even better. Try to remain calm in any situation. Remember that everyone else around you are trying to accomplish the same thing as you. Treat others, as you want to be treated.

THE UGLY: This year’s Christmas week was not great.  Four days before Christmas, my dad passed away suddenly and unexpectedly. Four days later, my stepmom had a major stroke. The holidays brought many tears. My dad was my hero. I loved him dearly. He was funny, smart, always prepared, generous and loving. He was a great man and a better dad. We cry not for the dead, but because we will miss him.

The good that comes from the ugly is that you find out that people really do care about you.

Life does not end. Death is just a part of life. Life continues. The day that my dad died, a baby was born to someone I know from work. The new baby, Claire will never replace my dad. I may never meet her. However, we will remember his life story. Her story is just beginning.

Let us continue to look to the future. Do not be stuck in the past. Celebrate what you have. Remember what matters. Focus on the good even in the ugly times.

May you all have a Happy New Year!