More to be grateful for

Here is the body for the newest country and western song:

I am out of work, I have just about run out of places to apply, I am no spring chicken, the car went up in smoke and it cost thousands to fix it, I broke a tooth this weekend and needed oral surgery…and the air conditioner broke last week and it will be Friday before it can be made operational again.

WOW!...stuff happens in bunches, does it not?

My last article was about being grateful….let’s look at the “upbeat” side of this song:

I can move anywhere in this United States of America I want to, if I want to pursue a job there, that is what freedom is all about. I am "seasoned" the only way to get there is to have some age under your belt. I am in good health and still have a fair amount of my mental capacities.  The economy is, indeed on a downturn, but a slow recovery is the best for everyone on planet earth, and I strongly believe that the slow recovery is not far off. Because the car went up in smoke an opportunity to go car shopping appeared, and with some stashed away money for this type of rainy day, a brand new (with a good warranty) vehicle sits in the garage. There is a certain cleansing quality of realizing when pain is gone, (those with gout will attest to that fact) when one realizes that there is not that thing called pain sitting on top of your psyche 24-7:  it brings a smile. I got to find a dentist who had me in a chair by 8:30 this morning, and after an hour of virtually painless oral surgery, x-rays, medication, and all the other unseen voodo that can extract a crumbling molar from the far reaches of one's jaw; The bill came to  only $250.00! To Dr. Teresa Morris and her staff, I am truly thankful, and grateful that a clinic with the name of “Giving Back” exists; it truly does.

I am glad that this house has a good amount of insulation, with the outside air at 101 degrees; it is only 84 degrees in here today.

I am grateful that I found the article last week that opened my eyes about finding things to  be grateful for instead of taking the “low road”

I am grateful I like upbeat music more than the cry-in-my-beer country songs!

Gratitude and the Reciprocity effect

I read an article today with a headline that immediately caught my attention: “True Secret to Success (it’s not what you think)”. Obviously I had to find out what the true secret to success is…I have tried several avenues and know that as presently defined, pure, unwavering diligence and hard work are NOT all it takes…so what is it? (At least in the author’s opinion?)

Gratitude…yup, in a single word, author Geoffrey James defines the secret to success as being thankful for what one has. I will have to say, old Jeff does make some very valid points: “People who (have) a sense of gratitude are constantly aware of what’s wonderful in their life. Because they enjoy the fruits of their success, they seek out more success”….well stated

He goes on to talk about those without a sense of gratitude never being happy. “For them, a string of successes is like trying to fill a bucket with a huge leak in the bottom”.  Those of us who are aware of “old school” film photography, and the printing process especially,  are aware of the “reciprocity effect”.  There is an inverse relationship between the amount and duration of light added to a photosensitive medium and the amount that the medium will absorb that light. In short….trying to fill a bucket with a hole in it.

If you are among those who would like to include “gratitude” as part of your psychological make-up, Geoffrey  James suggest an easy route to  reprogram you thinking is just before your bedtime at night…write down what you have to be grateful for that day. You can do this electronically or on paper, just do this one simple step, and you will be exercising your “gratitude muscle”…he suggests that doing so over time will give you, at the least, a more positive attitude.

J_Does anyone see a distinct correlation between what Jeff is suggesting and a practice that has been carried out for hundreds, if not thousands of years?....evening “enter what you are grateful for that happened today on my phone” and “Evening Prayer” ?

Yup, Mr. James, I am sure you are right. I am also sure you have added a modern twist to a practice that has been carried out for generations.

I have but one question:  Do I have to kneel beside my bed while entering my daily gratitude into the “notes” section of the IPhone?

Mr, James' excellent article may be found here.

Riptide

There are specific rules regarding how one must react in order to protect themselves from harm when swimming in the ocean. Specifically I want to address the actions required when one is caught in a rip tide.

Generally defined as a strong outflow current from shore, riptides are responsible for many drownings per year.

The givers of good advice generally agree on a course of action when caught in a rip tide.

• ·       Learn and remember the plan for survival.
• ·       Take a deep breath, relax and don’t struggle against the current. The current will sweep you away from shore fairly rapidly.
• ·       When the current has dissipated, as it will eventually, orient yourself in the general direction of the shore, but not in any specific point on the shore. If you try to reach some specific point on the shore, you may well be fighting a strong current
• ·       Since the riptide may have taken you quite far out to sea, just paddle slowly and conserve your energy.
• ·       When you reach shore, you may walk to your destination.

“All this is fine”, you say, “but I am not swimming in the ocean any time soon” (me either, unfortunately); “what relevance does that have on me?”

I believe this plan not only to be a lifesaving one, but may well relate to living life itself.

·       Always have a plan

·       Relax, don’t panic; there are some things that are beyond your control.  Go with them but do not abandon the grand plan.

·       When the crisis has passed, get your relative bearings, orient yourself in the general direction of your goal, but don’t get too specific about the outcome at first.

·       Once the largest hurdles have been accomplished and you are in a more comfortable environment, you may focus more acutely on your specific goal.

I have never been caught up in a riptide. Not literally. I did learn several lessons along this swim called life, however. In almost every situation that seemly was beyond my control, when I remembered the riptide advice; the outcome seemed more within my control.

I interviewed with a company today that really is genuine. I love the way the members of the organization conducted the interview. There is nothing superficial, or trumped up about this company. It is a first class operation whose goal is to produce satisfied customers…never, not one time was I asked about my career goals

(inferring that I was over the hill and would not be with the company for long) I was asked about my background, my experience, my ability to convey my knowledge and my willingness to be available when needed.

I would never say that I have the job until I sign the contract, but I believe that is soon to follow.

It is part time, it is a new endeavor for me…and what a wonderful trip it has been so far.
stay tuned!

MSCIS

Last Saturday at 5:00 P.M. began the on-campus segment of the Masters program that I have been in since January. It is, to say the least, an intense 5 ½ days of classroom learning. Following the on campus session will be three on line  classes this fall; each being six weeks in duration, expounding on what we have been introduced to this week.

I have no complaints, however. It is great to be surrounded with professionals. The teachers and students alike are very interesting people all of whom have diverse and interesting backgrounds.

The principals  in the department  truly care about each and every student in attendance. Believe me, at my age, I can see right through the “smoke” if someone is trying to blow it! Their job is no less easy than ours…their hours are longer, and the weeks and months of preparation that have gone in to this session result in constant smiles and an upbeat attitude from Dr. Shannon McMurtrey and Cathy Van Landuyt, and all of the instructors. Super people, all.

The on-campus session has been referred to by the program head as “drinking from a fire hose”. I can’t say he is too far off there! From 7:30 Am…or so ‘till around 6:00 PM, we are in a classroom save two breaks and a 45 minute lunch.

This master’s program is about analyzing input, not absorbing and regurgitating. Papers that have researched and analyzed a subject are more the norm than are tests and rote memory exercises.  I love this program: it has so much to offer.

No, this is not a paid advertisement, but it is a blog post from a geezer who really appreciates keeping sharp and active. with a distinct possibility of advancement thrown in for good measure.

The program is the Masters of Science in Computer Information Systems at Missouri State University. Three more semesters and I get my first “hood”!

Stay tuned for updates on jobs that are on the horizon…

Life is good, folks, if you will just live it!