A Walk in Someone else's shoes

     I have often wondered what life would be like from someone else's perspective.  There are so many different personalities that I'm sure life would be drastically different from what we know. Although it's not perfect we are comfortable with our own personality and feel justified in the decisions we make.  Any changes to your life can be difficult, so drastic changes to your comfortable current lifestyle would be enlightening maybe even scary.

     Along with personalities, there's upbringing, education, experience, social status, religious background, abilities, looks, etc. All these things affect what we think about ourselves and how we react to others.  So if our world was turned upside down and we no longer lived the life we know but were thrown into a new life we never experienced how would we react?  It's likely this would be a shocking experience that may change our outlook on life.  Suppose your new life took you from a wealthy lifestyle in a safe environment to a indigent lifestyle in a war torn country.  Would your understanding, compassion and generosity change?

     We are all products of our environment; different life experiences sculpt your beliefs & personality in every way.  I know we all have free will to make choices in life but this free will can be tainted by our upbringing and our expectations.

     We live in a judgmental society; people are always judging others while at the same time claiming they are being unfairly judged.  Many people are judged for their lifestyle, occupation, religion, race, physical attributes, the list of trivial reasons is endless.  This is not only unfair but wrong to think that your way is the only way.  I struggle with this daily making every effort to judge people only for their bad actions toward others not their lifestyle choices.  Yes, I believe judging people for their actions is necessary.

     If we all had a chance to experience some other persons life I'm sure we would look at things differently.  Celebrating the trivial differences in others would build better relationships and allow us time to address the real evils in life.  "Just Saying...."

High School Jobs

     My first job was working as a busboy at Zimmerman's Cafeteria in Jennings.  My Dad knew the owner so I was hired just on Dad's request.  I was paid 75 cents an hour plus tips the waitress gave me.  Since this was my first job I was nervous because I wanted to do well.  I was quiet which is a term I would not be accused of in my current life.  In addition to the hourly pay a meal of my choice was provided.  The job was simple; I cleaned up the tables of the dirty dishes, filled the condiments, swept up, whatever they needed.  As I said, it was pretty simple but I took it seriously because it was my job.

     Sometime later I got a better job as the pot washer (maybe $1.25/hr) at working at Hendrickson's cafeteria, which later became Hendricks cafeteria when a new owner took over.  The cafeteria was located on Union and Cote Brilliante, not the best part of town but much better than it is today.  My buddy Bill Louis was working there and got me the job. I'm not exactly sure how he got his job there but it was probably because his Dad knew someone.  That's generally how young kids got their first job, networking was around then although there wasn't a name for it then.  It was a fun job not because the work was great but there were a lot of young kids working there.  In addition to my friend Bill, there was Barb & Jane (sisters), Ginger and Mary Ann, sounds like the lead in to Gilligan's Island.

     In addition to washing the pots, I cleaned up the loading dock and picked up the broken wine bottles between the buildings in what I called the gangway.  I seemed like the gangway was were all the winos gathered the night before to drink their troubles away. Unfortunately, after they finish the bottle they didn't gently place their empties on the ground to be pickup easily the next day but they threw them on the concrete breaking them in a million pieces. Cleaning the gangway was not something I looked forward to but I did it without complaining.

     I was the only young person working in the kitchen; all the others worked out on the serving line.  I got to know them when we ate lunch together and when they came back into the kitchen bringing me pots to wash.  The antics always occurred in the kitchen when Bill or one of the girls would come in to the kitchen and started throwing wet towels at the kitchen crew.  At first it was surprising but it quickly became an interesting game of challenge and the owner didn’t seem to mind even participating at times.  The work got done but we all had fun before, during and after work plus we became friends. 

     We had lockers downstairs where we changed and keep our personal stuff.  I was a little shy when I was young so when I found Mary Ann hiding in my locker after getting off work one night, I was without words and closed the locker door on her.  That was a little embarrassing.

     Bill and I carpooled to work most of the time and the Normandy girls carpooled together as well so we would frequently follow each other home and taunt the other car along the way.  It was a fun work experience that has great memories and showed me you could work hard but have fun at the same time.  

      

Get gym quality exercise at no cost with side benefits

     I recently read a book about Blue Zones which areas in the world where people live long a healthy lives without belonging to a gym. In fact they probably don't even know what a gym is or why anyone would need them.  Many of these people are poor but work hard and enjoy life.  Now I don't expect most of us will want to trade our plush life for their harsh life but there are ways we can stay fit and save money.

     Many people join a gym to keep in shape but many of those same people hire a lawn service to cut and maintain their lawn. Doing your own yard work like mowing the yard (not a riding lawn mower with a beer holder), pulling weeds and shoveling mulch will give you a cardio, upper body and core workout.  Then if you add in power washing, cleaning gutter and indoor house cleaning including washing windows you will get a decent workout and save money.

     I know some will say I don't like doing yard work and I totally agree but do you really look forward to going to the gym, I don't. There are some that truly like the gym experience, if that's true then this post will not be very useful to you. 

     So here is my proposal cancel your gym membership, the lawn service and the maid service if you have all or any of these.  Tell them you are canceling for health reasons not because of their service then after a season of cutting the grass, trimming the bushes, mulching the garden, power washing the deck and cleaning the house take the money you saved and spend it on a nice relaxing vacation knowing that saved money and kept your buff body.

     Just like the commercials for Planet fitness tout, there are "No lunks and no intimidation" when doing yard work.  "Just Saying..."

Just Because

Just because you talk doesn't mean you shouldn't listen

Just because you're a cop doesn't mean you're prejudiced

Just because you have rights doesn't mean others don't

Just because you're old doesn't mean you're opinions shouldn't count

Just because you're black doesn't mean you're a criminal

Just because you're a celebrity doesn't mean you shouldn't set good example

Just because you're white doesn't make you right

Just because you go to church it doesn't mean you're a righteous person

Just because you can lie, steal or cheat and get away with it doesn't mean you should

Just because you're talented doesn't make you more special than someone else

Just because you're a Muslim doesn't mean you're a terrorist

Just because life is hard doesn't mean you should stop trying

Just because you can buy a gun doesn't mean it's a good idea

Just because you're rich doesn't mean you have more rights

Just because someone's poor doesn't mean they're not intelligent

Just because you're born doesn't guarantee success

Just because you're running late doesn't mean you can be rude

Just because you're strong doesn't mean you should prey on the weak

Just because you're a leader doesn't mean you are above the law

Just because you're right doesn't mean you shouldn't forgive

Just because you have certain beliefs doesn't mean others have to share the same beliefs

Just because _______________________ fill in the blank

Now is the time to do the right thing

Just because it could be your last chance

Just because it will help someone

Just because it will make you feel good

Just because it's paying it forward

Just because it's not that hard

Just because it's contagious

Just because you can be a good example to others

Just because you can change the world in a small way

Just because making small changes leads to big changes
Just because your actions define your life

It's All about the Family

     Parenting is a difficult job and the most important job anyone will ever have.  Mistakes will be made but as long as parents put the welfare and upbringing of the children before everything else the chances are high that their children will prosper.  When I say prosper; I mean as a responsible citizen of the world.

     Children will act out and rebel, that's how they grow, develop personalities and learn boundaries (rules).  It's important to be a parent first before you are their friend.  A growing child needs guidance and boundaries with consequences.  Parents set boundaries, friends don't.

     The easiest part of being a parent is the birth of a child.  That's when the work starts and it's the real miracle of birth.  Raising a child is difficult and rewarding and the rewards far outweigh the difficulty but that's something you learn after the fact.

     I read news reports about a young teenager being shot or killed while walking down the street at 2:00 am.  All I wonder is where are your parents?  Why are they letting you roam the streets at 2:00 am?  There are too many news articles about young people involved in many violent crimes (murder, rape, etc.).  Let me just say this, what happened to rules and consequences.  Without rules and consequences you have chaos.  A kid doesn’t become involved in a life of crime overnight, it takes time and there are signs.  Don't wait to cry and mourn the loss of your child on the nightly news, claiming they were a good kid but just got in with the wrong crowd. The truth is you probably didn't do your job as a parent.

     It's the job of the parent to raise a responsible child, not the teacher, the minister, a relative or society.  Don't expect others to do your parental job.  There will be times when your child will not like you for the rules you have evoked.  At times they will use harsh words toward you but if you parent with love they will always love you.

     There is no guarantee so even if you do your best as a parent, things could still go wrong.  You will never stop being a parent but when your child becomes a responsible adult they will make you proud and become your friend as well.  "Just Saying...."

     

Act your age or act your shoe size?

     Have you ever been told to act your age?  My guess is yes, I know I've heard it, mainly when I was younger but growing into adulthood.  It's good advice, like when you're in a business atmosphere or having a teachable moment with your kids. Although, I'm not sure it's all the healthy 24/7, sometimes it's fun and helpful to act your shoe size.

     I'm not even sure what acting your age means.  I've met lots of people in my life, many my same age and they all acted differently. Some are very serious and others not so much but I have found that when everyone is acting really serious, acting their age, the tension can be high.  This to me seems the perfect time to act your shoe size, the tension will melt like an ice cream cone on a hot summer day.  So acting your shoe size in certain situations is beneficial and it's always fun.

     As I've gotten older I find it more fun to act my shoe size than when I was more career minded.  I have been told you're goofy or weird (not in a bad way) but I always respond "Thank You" because I take it as a compliment plus it's a response that's unexpected.  It’s like throwing cold water on a hot fire it makes a lot of smoke and it distracts people.  Knowing when to act your shoe size can be tricky, it's a matter of knowing the people you're with and the seriousness of a situation.  I have found there are very few situations so serious that humor isn't welcome.  Once people know your personality they welcome your quirky humor and accept that you are just acting your shoe size.  "Just a Saying...."

     

The Internet, Animals versus People

     People love animals, maybe it's because they can be trusted, we know what to expect from animals be it good or bad.  We are all aware of the recent news about Cecil the lion that was killed by the trophy hunter (Walter Palmer).  The Internet went ballistic with outrage about the death of Cecil the lion.  We all have opinions but on the Internet you can have opinions without consequences or repercussions.  I am not a hunter or a fisherman but many people participate in these sports.  I do eat meat and fish so how could I complain about these activities.  I understand that trophy hunting is different than hunting to provide food for the family but it's legal in many countries.  A big part of the blame for Cecil's death should go the country that allows lion hunting.  

     The killing of this well known lion was a tragedy but lion hunting is permitted in parts of Africa.  I know some stories say the lion was lured off the reservation then killed which may or may not be true. The reports also state that Walter Palmer had guides and permits for hunting, I can't verify that either.  People make many judgmental comments on the Internet about others and there’s never a repercussion. It's easy to make statements when you never have to defend them.  The reports that Jericho (Cecil’s brother) was killed are false.  So what are we to believe?  One thing I know for sure is if an animal in the wild is given a name then maybe they are more like a pet, so here's a rule "Don't shoot a wild animal that has been given a name."

     There are a lot of violent crimes in the world today, but most of these are humans against humans and we are outraged for a short time but there are so many that we have become desensitized. Animals kill their prey to feed their family but we kill other humans for virtually no reason.  Is that the reason we seem to value animal lives more than human lives?  Humans seem to have little regard for another human’s life, which is puzzling.  We are passionate about animal preservation but so dispassionate about human preservation. Why can't we have the same respect for people as we do for animals?  "Just Saying....?