Service with a smile

With the exception of Chick-fil-A and Trader Joe’s where have you experienced service with a smile? I often get service with a grunt or service with a blank stare, but rarely with a smile. I say rarely, because many older workers are pleasant maybe because they remember how lucky they felt when they got their first job. I’m not saying all young workers are unappreciative of their job, but I’ll stick my neck and I say many make it their goal to show dissatisfaction with their every action. 

    I’m sorry you couldn’t be born into the Kardasian family. Most of us are just regular people, but you can have a good life despite your mediocre financial position. Your attitude has a great impact on your life. You deserve nothing by being born except respect and a chance to succeed. Whatever you receive from your efforts is what you deserve. A smile cost you nothing, a good work ethic shows others you care. You will be there for your whole shift so why not enjoy it by smiling and showing some enthusiasm. There’s no health risk by enjoying your job, in fact there may be a kick of adrenaline from your efforts. 

     We can’t all be born to live in the lap of luxury, but I’m guessing the rich don’t live worry free lives. I don’t know what Chick-fil-A and Trader Joe’s are doing but I want them training all the young people who work in service jobs. “Just Saying . . .”

Negative Speech

I’ve noticed there’s a lot of negativity and hate posted. Much of it is about politics. I support your right to have an opinion but rather than trash the opponent why not tell of all the positive reasons you support your candidate. No one is listening to your negative comments so there’s no chance you will convert anyone to your side. We all have different reasons for our beliefs and they may be valid, so tell us that instead of all the hateful comments about the other candidates. “Just Saying . . . “

The Appearance of Doing Nothing

Keeping busy seems to be the main objective of most people. We don’t like to be bored, so our plates are full of activities. We equate boredom with doing nothing, but I think it’s different. Sitting alone pondering your life and future is valuable. It might seem like you're doing nothing, but you’re resting your mind and body. Allowing yourself to create and imagine new things that only a quiet mind can hear. There’s no need to be afraid of doing nothing.

     I wonder how many people really sit alone thinking without the aid of an electronic device? Very few, I imagine since smartphones have taken over our lives. Our brains are cluttered with many things, so doing nothing will help cleanse your mind. Yes, I’m retired and have more time to do nothing. I can’t argue with that, but we all spend a lot of time on the Internet and social media. Our phones remind us every day of how much time we spend Internet surfing. It could be beneficial to use some of that time doing nothing but thinking.

     There’s a saying, “An idle mind is a devil’s workshop.” It’s a biblical saying, but I dispute the statement because it’s negative and implies our thoughts always go toward evil. Nothing would be done without thinking about it first. Many problems have been solved as we sit idle, just thinking.

     If your concerned about the appearance of doing nothing. Take a walk leave your earbuds at home and let your mind wander while you walk. 

     So, next time you’re bored, don’t pick up your phone. Turn off all electronics and let your mind wander off to nowhere or everywhere. It might be an enlightening experience. Don't let the appearance of doing nothing keep you from thinking. “Just Saying . . .”

Calm or Chaotic

Life has changed for me like it does for everyone as they age. For me everything has slowed down, and become more calm. When I was young with kids, work, and the many activities we did as a family it was chaotic. Exhausting in some ways, but always fun. 

     Now I have more time to pursue my hobbies, time to rest, time to enjoy the simple pleasures of life. But sometimes I miss the chaos. There are still moments in my life when I experience the chaos while attending a party, but I am just an observer. I watch and laugh at the chaotic activities and antics of the young. It’s a great feeling that brings me back to why family is the most important thing in my life. Don’t get me wrong I like the calm in my life, but the occasional chaos is like the cherry on top. I laugh more with family and sleep better on those nights. 

     We don’t always agree, but that’s not important because we’re together enjoying the moment. I’m lucky. Some people don’t have the same family relationship that I do. I hope that those people who have a broken family connection can repair it. Life is better when your connected to others. Enjoy the chaos at the party but leave it there for the young crowd so you can return to the calm. “Just Saying . . . .”

George, the Thinking Man

This is a technology packed world and George is a young man with an old soul. Sure, he owns all the latest electronic gadgets, but he is a deep thinker and often likes to get lost in his thoughts. 

     He is unusual in that way, because he puts his own ideas into his daily life. The Internet influences him less than most of his contemporaries. George knows information is good, but he is also aware that much of the Internet is tainted with lies. 

     He has learned that making a mistake can be a valuable lesson. George knows his failures make his successes all that much better, so he’s not afraid to step out of his comfort zone.

     He has many friends, but doesn’t show his “old soul” to many. George lives in two worlds, one filled with the latest high tech gadgets and the other filled with only his thoughts. He likes to write his thoughts and ideas in a journal, but it’s not a diary of his daily activities. A place where he keeps his worries, questions, solutions, things that make him smile, others that make him sad, and mostly his hopes and dreams. It’s a book that is for him alone, a book to help him understand the world, his book on life. His heart, soul and conscience laid out on paper.

     You are the lucky one if he shares his book with you. Don’t take it lightly. You may only get one chance to see George unmasked, one chance to understand him and one chance to understand yourself. 

     George isn’t good at sharing his life with others and I think there’s a little bit of that in all of us. Sharing your life with others might be what we need.  “Just Saying . . .”

  

How do you eat an elephant?

I first heard this from a buddy of mine, Billy Ray. The answer is, one bite at a time. I always liked this because it conveys a message that you can accomplish anything if you’re determined and patient.

     In today’s world, people are not patient. Everybody wants instant change and instant reward. Thank you, Internet. What we are is a nation of whiners. Some people reminisce about the good times when they were young, the best time ever. Things change over time and some changes are good others not so much. The world is constantly changing, so get used to it. Without change we would still be living in the prehistoric age.

     There are others that feel like they have been dealt a bad hand in life. They say choices are limited because they’re poor, or black or uneducated. The list is long. There’s a simple explanation, life is not fair, but it’s what you make of it. The trials and tribulations of our ancestors are history. We can’t change it, but we can learn from it. Their sufferings are not our scars and their achievements are not our successes. We make choices that determine our place in life. There are many people who have achieved great things even though they struggled in life. Without struggle, the rewards would less appreciated. 

     Your choices define your life. Use the past to build a strong future for yourself. Create your own history with the choices you make. Instead of whining, try overcoming your problems . . .one bite at a time. “Just Saying . . .”

Our Most Valuable Asset

We are all born with different abilities and talents. Some of these are validated or enhanced as we are guided through life, some ignored and forgotten. Life is trial and error. People dabble in many activities trying to find the one thing that brings passion to their life. Sadly, many of us go through life giving up and never realizing our strongest asset, and most valuable is perseverance. Many people are looking for instant success and give up if it doesn’t come fast enough. 

     Anyone that achieves success, even in a small way has spent many hours honing their abilities. Stop whining about your lack of talent or opportunity when the real issue is you quit too soon. While it may be true that you weren’t blessed with an obvious natural talent, you can still be quite successful if you diligently pursue your passions. 

     Your desire and perseverance will help you overcome any roadblocks you may encounter. May be you won’t become the world’s best but you could become your best. “Just Saying . . . “