Crying for Attention

Creaks and cries are calls for attention. When my vehicle began creaking, the mechanic said it needed a new boot. When my cat looks up and meows, she wants food or a head rub. When babies cry, they want something—food, comfort, a diaper change—and it’s the guardian’s responsibility to understand what they need and how to fulfill it. See if you can identify the cry here:

                                         https://youtu.be/kNGi50MaiMA

The cry sounds something like this: Look at me! Look at me! Yes, it’s a cry for attention. It comes in all forms. Not all are loud, but whatever way they come, they cause us to stop and stare, capturing our attention for a moment or more. What’s the best vehicle for capturing someone’s attention when you need help?      

Not Happier

If someone asked you to name things that make you happy, you might say eating a big bowl of chocolate ice cream, sleeping in on a weekday morning, or spending a sunny day at the beach. All three can make us smile—temporarily. Once the ice cream disappears, the day’s challenges begin, and the beach trip ends, our happy feelings may subside. We’re left to chase the next wonderful moment, which might be a perfect morning cup of coffee, a throw for the ice cream chills, or plans for a return trip to the beach. Experience, rinse, repeat. Our emotions fluctuate with the moment’s twists and turns. Do any of these experiences offer endless happiness? 

                                         https://youtu.be/sJ8xZtxXLc8

Adventures end, relationships experience ups and downs and few situations provide endless happiness. Maybe it’s better to focus on peace and contentment, since they help us weather whatever comes our way. So, what’s the best way to gain peace and contentment?

Jump In

When the temperature reached about fifty degrees this weekend, I spotted someone entering a store wearing flip flops. Unusual situations catch our attention, like the person I saw begin an exercise workout in a warm thigh length coat. Sometimes situations seem so alarming that we feel obligated to intervene, other times we conjure up excuses for not getting involved for fear of overstepping boundaries. And sometimes, we just don’t care. What do you think about this?

                                      https://youtu.be/o59RGN80_9Q

Social experiments are pulse checks for how we’re doing as a society. It’s good when we see an unusual situation and pause to check on another person’s well-being or step up to correct an issue. What’s the last situation you ignored when you should have jumped in and sorted things out?      

         

High Hopes in the Dark

If you’ve lived in your house for several years, then you’re confident about circumventing tables and chairs in the dark. Eventually, when our confidence outgrows our skill, we lose our bearings and bump into things. In the dark, we think we’re headed in the right direction, but sooner or later we learn otherwise. Listen to what these folks did once they lost their bearings:

                                         https://youtu.be/osigyT3hbxo

When darkness falls and we don’t know which way to turn, who we call depends on who we think will provide help. Initially, it seemed like the folks in the video were prank- calling for help, and it sounded like help might not arrive. Their complaints about a baby and mosquitoes saved them from an uncomfortable evening under the stars. Who do you call when you’re feeling lost and/or in the dark, and how much convincing do you need to give before you’re convinced help will arrive?

Taste and See

A survey determined that people prefer a sweeter versus a less sweet cornbread. We love sugar. If we’re not eating candy, we’re consuming sugar in breads, meats, vegetables, and in other foods you wouldn’t expect. Here’s one reason why people love including sugar in their cooking:

                                         https://youtu.be/hfsAcvvRwsg

If you crave sugar, you’ll be happy to find it in many of your favorite store-bought and home-cooked foods. Burger King’s advertising convinced us that we can have it our way and we’re too willing to alter food to suit our sweet tooth. Unfortunately, what we want is not always what we need, and too much of a good thing jeopardizes our well-being. What situation contradicted your initial thoughts, but now you realize it’s in your best interests?      

Who's Watching You?

Who thought we’d see the day when drones would deliver packages and police the border? Drones are a hot topic right now. Some people believe drones represent technological progress, helping to protect us and the country. On the other hand, drones can be used to spy on and exploit innocent folks. In any case, there’s a lot of discussion around these incredible contraptions. Have a listen:

                                          http://youtu.be/pL0T5pdCz94 

Much like the Internet, the legal system is racing to figure out how to regulate the use of drones. Of course, some proactive folks have stepped out ahead of the laws and simply shot drones down. They’re threatened by drone activity and see them as an invasion of privacy. Do drones represent the evolution of a police state? When you’re out and about, do you believe someone's watching you?   

Reprinted and revised from 2014    

Natural Storms

The authorities sounded a warning alarm about a potential storm. Even as weather people tracked the tornado moving from town to town, it felt hard to believe a tornado would touch down here. So we didn’t prepare by moving to the basement or following any of the precautions the weather people suggested. Instead we watched TV and waited. The tornado touch down deadline came and went and nothing happened—this time. We can ignore some warnings while others demand our immediate attention. Check out this attention-grabber:   

                                         https://youtu.be/Wy-teEFnHLQ

No one wants to be caught unprepared in a storm. Weather-related surprises only cause stress and anxiety. Once the weatherperson warns us days in advance about an impending storm, we have time to think about how to react and which safety precautions we need to take. Unfortunately, some of life’s storms happen overnight when we least expect them. What actions can you take now to deal with life’s storms?               

Shouting Inside

Car dealers think we’ll purchase vehicles based on the match between a car’s attributes and the image we want to reflect. After choosing a vehicle, we’ll decorate it with bumper stickers that highlight particular aspects of our personality, or our likes and dislikes.

On Wednesday, I spotted an interesting bumper sticker. The white van’s back window sticker read: You’re just jealous because the voices are talking to me. Some statements seem funny at first, but after living long enough, even the most innocent comments cause us to pause. Let’s not lose our sense of humor. Here’s someone not taking themselves too seriously:

                                         https://youtu.be/W_EfKoAmxOw

Even if that message made you smile, someone somewhere is flooring the gas pedal or cutting another driver off. A lot of people are struggling to overcome their hostilities, how do you do it? 

To Fall or Fly

The calendar tells the story of a new season’s arrival. We feel it in our bones with the falling temperatures and brisk winds. Before long, we’ll admire colorful bursts of red and orange leaves while sipping hot chocolate or tea. We’ll exchange flip flops and bathing suits for boots, hats, scarves, and coats in anticipation of what comes next. Wait. Before jumping to ahead to winter, let’s pause to crunch the leaves, savor fall’s natural beauty, and hang on to the moment. It might feel like this: 

                                         https://youtu.be/rKUipxR3bDc

Given those conditions, they better hold on to something solid before they’re blown away. The wind plays a one-sided tug-o-war game and it’s close to winning. A slightly stronger blast will send someone flying. If you feel like unseen hands tug at your life, pulling you in directions you don’t want to go, who or what would you put on the other side of that struggle? 

Perfectly Safe

Some people keep a tissue conveniently tucked inside their sleeve like they perform magic tricks. I thought about the tendency this week after feeling a little scratch on my wrist. I pulled up my sleeve and a—wait for it—moth fell out onto the floor. Shocking. How? When? Why?

I didn’t know whether to laugh or head to the medicine cabinet for antiseptic. I did both. In the normal course of a day, you never know how things will shake out. Who would’ve expected this:

                                     https://youtu.be/Rqi3jpBSyCc  

This could be the ultimate magic trick, except it’s not magic. Instead of uncovering unexpected things from beneath our clothing, here’s an example of an extraordinary outer covering that should save lives. In the middle of a crisis, what do you rely on, pull out, or turn to keep you safe?   

Nonstop Running

While driving, I glanced over at a drug store and watched a guy bolt from the front door and race down the street. Bystanders watched him fly by, and no one from the street or store cheered him on or stopped him. What caused him to run? Maybe he left his wallet at another store or received an urgent phone call. Or maybe his running represented  part of a larger plan. Something like this: 

                                         https://youtu.be/xf4eJgwrUyA

We manage our dreams in three ways: in wait mode, by running toward them or running away from them. One of those ways is counterproductive. You’ve probably caught yourself running away from a seemingly small task, yet important task. We all need inspiration stay motivated. Who will you call on to support the path you’re running?        

Chew On It

Have you ever gone fruit-picking? There’s something special about walking up to a plant, plucking off delicious, sun-ripened fruit and plopping it into your bucket to take home. If you’re a gardener, you know the satisfaction of toiling in the dirt, watering for days and celebrating the results of your tender, loving care. It’s like producing a masterpiece!

Masterpieces come in all forms; fruit, flower and unusual plants remind me of great works of art and they require a similar patience before we can enjoy the final product. Everyone can appreciate cultivating a piece of food from a seed, but the definition of "art" varies by individual. Take a look at one man’s artwork:

                                             

                                          https://youtu.be/WSzkKEKcmN4  

How interesting that a kid’s preoccupation with chewing gum grew into a life-long passion and a career. Anything is possible once passion and creativity collide. What’s your passion in life and how can you use it to bring joy to others?     

               

Reprinted from August 2012  

Your Bedtime Story

During a long car ride, one of our children complained that their book had no plot. I wasn’t familiar with the story, so I asked how many pages had been read. The answer: twelve. Once our stories stop flowing the way we want, we like to jump in and control the process. We prefer skipping boring parts, tossing aside bad sections, and boosting the excitement. When we overmanage our stories, they turn out like this:

                                         https://youtu.be/bWwOWTkZydA

The video featured a perfect picture book with good doses of drama and purpose sped up and ruined.  We make that mistake with the stories we read and the story we live. We’d like to skip the mad-sad-bad parts of life and keep the rest, but the mixture formed, and continues to form, us. What sentence summarizes the plot of your life story?     

Playing with Fire

None one remembers the number of times during childhood an adult advised us not to grasp a fragile item in a store, grab with a precious keepsake in a relative’s home, or touch a hot stove. We’ve heard Smokey Bear’s advice on not playing with matches or fires, and at some point, we’ve ignored the warnings. Watch a community ignore that well-meaning advice:

                                         https://youtu.be/5cg6Gl7SzAQ

This fiery, annual festival in El Salvador commemorates a volcanic eruption that occurred decades ago. Despite the potential for injury, the community relishes fighting fire with fire as spectators continue to support the friendly cultural tradition. Although the festival lacks rules, police and medical staff stand by to handle issues that might arise. Who stands by you to ensure you don’t get burned in life?

A Golden Rule

Two rules to remember: don’t close your eyes while using a treadmill or while showering. In an earlier post, we reviewed the potential result of over relaxing on a treadmill and anytime the shower steam tempts you to close your eyes—resist! One misstep and you’ll have a problem. After I closed my eyes, I bumped the wall, but not hard enough to cause an injury. Few of us always appreciate rules, but watch what happens when we ignore them:

                                         https://youtu.be/_4Uucys-B8o  

Not fun. Well, the crowd had a huge laugh and even the officer took pictures. Most good rules are for our safety, not to limit our freedom. But, as we know, we have choices. Not following good rules leads to consequences and don’t we hate consequences? Which rule do you wish you had followed?  

The Real Deal

Our favorite cereal is disappearing from grocery store shelves and making it difficult to find two boxes anywhere. After comparing our favorite cereal to potential alternatives, we’re still hunting for a good replacement. Sometimes substitutes make us smile and sometimes they don’t. What do you think about these folks:

                                         https://youtu.be/L9k0iAEgpAY

Everyone’s cheery in the video because no one’s revealed an evil side. Not long ago the news featured a story where a lady tried taking over her acquaintance’s life. It didn’t end well. When have you settled for a substitute instead of the real deal?

After the Wave

If you’re a frequent beach-goer, then you probably enjoy the predictability of fun in the sand, sun, and water. I anticipated all those things when we visited the beach, but we experienced something else, too.

We positioned chairs about twenty yards from the water’s edge and relaxed in the light breeze, mesmerized by the lapping waves. The day melted way like that until about four o’clock when I noticed water inching up the beach, chasing off everyone in its path. It sneaked closer and closer until it puddled within two feet of our chairs. Although we’ve spent afternoons at the beach before, the ocean has never reached out to greet us. Watch what this water does:   

                                         https://youtu.be/d3vvs_XBMqQ

While a storm is predictable, its impact is not. If you’re a student, teacher or parent, you know—like last year—the school year will begin again. But we never knows the types of changes the year will bring. What’s the one thing that will never change?     

Where You Are

Summer weather usually propels us toward pools. When the temperatures rose this week, our family visited a water park. Since I’m not a fan of pools, you’ll understand how uncomfortable I felt when you read what happened next. While waiting for the next fake wave to wash over us, a thin slice of banana floated past. Why? We were disturbed and confused. People notice when something or someone’s out of place. Watch these reactions: 

                                         https://youtu.be/TrON1jkvfBQ    

 Don’t the video’s bystanders look bewildered? If you’re familiar with the city, you expect to see all levels of wealth and poverty. The only out of place situation is when opposite ends of the spectrum merge right before your eyes. For some reason, people like to dictate who’s out of place. Where do you feel most comfortable?

Your Aha Moment

We may have a new couch potato in the house.  This week our cat had an “aha” moment—she discovered television. During the past eight years, she has never paid attention to the TV. But for some reason, this week she decided to watch an exercise video. She walked over to the same TV we’ve had for years and plopped herself down, just two inches from the screen. I probably should have warned her to move back before she ruined her eyes. Standing behind her, I could see her head moving from side to side as if the show were a tennis match. A couple of times she touched the screen with her paw.  Maybe our cat has discovered a new hobby.

Have you ever found something, only to realize it was under your nose the entire time? Is the best book you’ll ever read sitting on your bookshelf? Or is your future favorite outfit the one you bought, stuffed in the closet and forgot? Check out another incredible discovery:    

                                            https://youtu.be/koEynMsIJS4   

Isn’t it fascinating to think that someone you know from afar could be related to you?  Some of the best discoveries you’ll ever make may be closer than you think. What’s you best discovery?     

Edited from 2014    

Surprise!

My cat had a nightmare, I think. Our cat usually sleeps through the many noises around her. Despite the blaring television and rattling dishes, she keeps on snoozing. One day during nap time, she jumped up into the scary hunched back position. She stared at us, jumped to the floor, and ambled away as if nothing happened. Maybe she dreamed about an encounter with the neighborhood dog. Cats are full of surprises.   

There are pleasant surprises and downright awful ones. Here’s a surprise this young man didn’t anticipate:  

                                         https://youtu.be/n4mznkHDMGk

Active military soldiers and their families deserve heartwarming surprise reunions, and much more. What sort of surprise would give you joy?  



Modified & reprinted from Nov. 2013

Walk This Way

Many of our decisions about where to work, shop or attend school depend on how far from home we’re willing to travel. It boils down to choosing between adventure and inconvenience. Some people don’t mind traveling long distances while others prefer quick trips. Regardless of how far you’re willing to travel, would you do this if you couldn’t go by car?

                                         https://youtu.be/5F6VGlLuzKM

The title “America Strong” underscores the student’s determination. Who else would do what he did? Think about the number of times you’ve texted from your bedroom to someone in your kitchen or ignored a ringing phone because you had to walk across the room to answer it. Rather than walking through the mall, I’ve considered leaving the building and driving to a store at the opposite end. Okay, I actually did that. We find the wildest reasons to avoid moving on. When you don’t feel like taking the next step, who or what motivates you to push forward?      

Life, Camera, Action!

While walking through a department store, I thought I saw a slight movement off to the side. I’m blaming it on tired eyes because it looked like a mannequin moved. It’s not impossible. You’ve seen stores create a buzz by substituting a live model for a mannequin, drawing a crowd as people stop and stare at the store windows. Onlookers stare trying to catch the models moving. They’re watching us, and we’re watching them. With cameras everywhere, it feels like someone’s watching our every move. See what the camera catches:

                                         https://youtu.be/rgDm5Fj5Yeg

There’s always camera footage to back up good and bad behavior. Fortunately, the employee has visual reminders of his little customer. Maybe we’d behave better if we remember that someone’s always watching. You never know when the camera will catch you, and if it does, what do you want it to capture about you?      

Stinky Situation

Whenever a major holiday coincides with trash pick-up, you know what’s in store. Hoping it doesn’t take too long, you impatiently check the receptacle several times while listening for any signs of the garbage truck. And, if the trash stays at the curb past our deadline, this is our biggest fear: 

                                         https://youtu.be/jUNIB4jCBdU

As the days tick by—and you’re fortunate—your receptacle will hold all the trash you need to stuff in it. A late trash pick-up is like life. We’ll tolerate a trashy situation for a while, but as soon as we’re fed up, we want it to disappear. Once we reach our tipping point, it’s time to act. What stinky situation are you ready to eliminate?      

What's the Small Stuff?

As I sat at a stop light on a multi-lane road, the light changed from red to green. A millisecond later, one driver beeped the car horn. Was that for me? What’d I do wrong? That’s what I would have thought years ago when I first started driving. Back then a parallel parking spot used to send me hunting for a “regular” space. Okay, it still does. But the point is now, with years of experience under my belt, whenever I hear a car horn beep while I’m driving, I think, “Hold your horses. You should’ve left home earlier!”   

If you talk with anyone sixty years and older, I believe they’ll tell you that the things they worried about decades ago pale in comparison to the issues that occupy their thoughts today. It’s interesting how knowledge and experience change our perspectives. Sometimes it’s a matter of focusing on the big picture.

One of our kids chose to replicate Neptune for a science project, and I learned it’s approximately seventeen times the earth’s mass. I’m always fascinated by the solar system and our position in it. We always seem to discover something new things in space. This video provides us with a fresh perspective on life and our universe: 

                                                      https://youtu.be/58fs5yI8K9I  

If you’re feeling insignificant, be encouraged! Despite the minuscule blip of space we occupy in the universe, we still have big jobs to tackle, like creating lasting legacies through role modeling. As you pass on the wisdom you’ve learned over the years, what small stuff would you advise someone else not to sweat?   


Edited and reprinted 2011(and still true)

Where Inspiration and Value Meet

Inspiration flows from stories, experiences, and from the most surprising places. I’m inspired by things seen and unseen, by nature and the cosmos. I’m inspired by the Seven Wonders of the World, the sun, how babies learn to walk and talk, how tree roots crack through sidewalks, and possibilities. Good stories inspire us to be and do more. See if this inspires you:

                                         https://youtu.be/QROON4PDt5A

A good story never fails to inspire or offer a powerful point to ponder. In our turbulent times, welcome advice that reminds and inspires us to realize our value and recognize it in others. During an ordinary day, what inspires you?     

Come Again Another Day

Rain, rain, rain. Everyone’s happy when it sprinkles enough to water the flowerbeds. When daily downpours ruin our picnics and outdoor plans, we’re ticked off, and that’s when the complaints begin. Next week they’re forecasting temperatures in the nineties. It’s great for visits to the beach and garden parties, but after several humid heatwaves and a lot of perspiring, we’re back to complaining. Too much of a good thing causes things like this to happen:

                                         https://youtu.be/jtZyn5JOlBM

Customers agreed to the request until the final, shocking smile. Regardless of the things we enjoy, balance is key. A beautiful garden requires sun and rain. Since we can’t bring on sunshine or hold back the rain, we need the appropriate perspective to deal with both circumstances. What helps you maintain perspective and balance?      

Now You Know

If you have a love-hate relationship with machines, then you’re probably annoyed and amazed by the power of technology. Last week, I visited a facility with a security system that required an electronic pass to move throughout the building. When the visit ended, I headed down a hallway and swiped my pass to open the door for one of the last two areas. Nothing happened. Peeking through the door’s window, I spotted an equally puzzled person holding a pass and wondering why the doors hadn’t opened. We were trapped.

After a few more seconds of swiping, the passes worked, the doors opened, and our mini-crisis ended. Our experience barely registers on the panic-scale compared to this: 

                                         https://youtu.be/tvmZw06-RxM   

If Sophia’s facial expressions correspond to the nature of her discussions, then why is she smiling at the end? Technology can work for us or against us, and when it’s against us, it’s an awful situation. What’s one of the best ways you’ve seen technology benefit humans?  

Calling You Out

The empty yards and sidewalks in your neighborhood might cause you to wonder if the Pied Piper lured the kids away. Nowadays everyone stays inside huddled over computer games or immersed in social media. I read an article about how spending time outside helps lower blood pressure, reduce stress, and improve mood levels. See if you’re willing to go this far to achieve those benefits:

                                         https://youtu.be/PFhLrIrTXBU  

This lady took outdoor living to new heights. Sometimes we need to withdrawal from the world periodically to ensure a healthy, balanced life. Imagine yourself on an island, enjoying the wilderness and living by your own rules. What rule would you establish to maintain mind-body-spirit balance?  

A Head-Turner

In the middle of our community’s neatly manicured lawns sits one house with thigh-high grass. People driving by must wonder, “When are they going to mow?” Walking past the house is out of the question because who knows what kind of wildlife might attack. There’s always one lawn in a neighborhood that turns heads.

Overgrown lawns are like people, the outside suggests whether something significant is happening on the inside. If you see acquaintances acting a bit unusual, dig a little deeper. Watch how a neighborly visit might have prevented this situation:   

                                         https://youtu.be/gCKCHvgmnSs

Unfortunately, we either under or overreact to curious behaviors. In this case, a well-intentioned favor morphed into a police matter, which shows how easily our internal state bubbles up to the surface and spills into the public arena. What incredible experience has caused you to behave in a surprising way?  

Dare to Live

Music is amazing. I’ve attended two student concerts this week, and it’s wonderful to hear how well young people play. I may learn to play an instrument one day, and if I could truly sing, boy, I’d be annoying because I would never stay silent. Activities like gym, swimming, and art help develop well-rounded students, but every student should dedicate six months to learning to play an instrument. You never know where a bit of exposure will lead. With a little patience, this could be you: 

                                         https://youtu.be/lUc8xAE0HYg

Are you inspired to grab the nearest improvisational instrument? Start practicing now. You may not sound wonderful initially, if ever. The point is you won’t know until you try. It’s easy to stay comfortable. Dare to stop procrastinating and dive into whatever you keep putting off. Where will your new journey take you?  

Autocorrect Suffering

Good old autocorrect. It’s not your friend. You remember how it tricked you after glancing at what you typed and realizing you texted a nonsensical statement. Recently, I received a lengthy text that ended with, “Great is the night.” I texted the same comment back. Maybe it was a fancy way to say good night. Who knows? If I hadn’t signed off, the next few lines to me may have mentioned something poetic about sparkling stars and the waning moon.

We get the wonkiest results whenever we overdo technology. And when technology controls everything, we get this reaction:  

                                         https://youtu.be/MlF2d9E0gB4

Our safety concerns about surrendering control depends on where we place our trust. In the video, you might feel comfortable trusting the mechanical inner workings, the designing engineer, or the validity of the concept. Overall, how comfortable are you about giving up “the controls”?    

God’s Plan

Does it feel like things are deteriorating? One of my favorite restaurants has lost its sizzle. Store items shrink in size while prices rise. That’s probably not what you expect to hear with flowers blooming and trees sprouting, but that’s how it goes. Spring makes everything feel fresh and new, yet each year our trees stoop a little lower, supporting fewer branches and leaves. Regardless of your age, I bet you’re feeling older and creakier, too.

Can you guess that I recently attended a high school reunion? I’m sure more than a few guests thought about how fast the years passed. It feels like only yesterday when we wondered what life changes awaited us at college, in first jobs, and in marriage. Despite tackling those milestones, I think my schoolmates were harboring questions about the future. Will we attend the next reunion? Will the next chapter of life be as good or better than the ones left behind? I’m convinced the answer is yes!

Regardless of where you are, what you’ve done, or didn’t do, the future is always yours to mold. There’s still time. This guy looks hopeful:  

                                         https://youtu.be/BRYUi-8WEi0   

Imagine changing the next decade by stepping out of your current situation and embracing a fresh, new one. How will it happen?   

Taking a Second Look

On Second Thought

Few things are more fun than buying an item and finding an unexpected compartment or accessory tucked inside. Imagine living with kitchen cabinets and discovering a new feature years later. Last week one of our kids found a surprise I’ve known about for more than a decade. You wouldn’t expect a simple “hidden” cutting board to cause so much excitement.

It’s easy to overlook the seemingly ordinary items we encounter every today. See how a second look opens our eyes to amazing ideas:   

                                     https://youtu.be/7pWl2xeT5W4

Few of us realized that a change jar would hold the components for such beautiful interior designs. Our lives are filled with things we think we don’t need. Look around you. What person or thing might be even more valuable than you first thought?        

Stormy Weather

When the weatherperson predicts a storm, we flock to stores grabbing much more than necessary for a one-day event. We clear the shelves of special treats and precious essentials. We overload our shopping carts with must-have items like bread, milk and cereal, but I’m adding another necessity—kettlecorn. It is delicious. Don’t underestimate the salty, sweet snack because it counts as a vegetable and a carbohydrate. Even better, if there’s a power outage, kettle corn doesn’t require refrigeration. Also, the label says we can eat two cups and still maintain a healthy calorie count. Barring the annoying kernels that lodge between your gums and teeth, it has to be part of any storm readiness plan. On the other hand, this should not:

                                         https://youtu.be/P7aRR86VfTY

Although the audio is difficult to hear, it sounds family-friendly. Actually, we don’t need the audio to know that this isn't the place for selfies. I'm sure you can think of other storm non-essentials. If you didn't expect kettle corn to appear on the list, what do you want in the middle of a storm?               

     

English As a Foreign Language

I’m glad I already speak English because many of the idioms and nuances of our language make it difficult to master. I can’t imagine entering the United States as a non-English speaking person. Think about our silly terms like whatchamacallit, thingamabob, thingamajig and whosit. When memory fails us, we resort to all kinds of interesting placeholders.

Not long ago at a gathering, a lady forgot someone’s name so she referred to an acquaintance as Mrs. Blah Blah. It’s a good thing the ladies were on friendly terms. Substituting Mrs. Blah Blah for a forgotten name kept us laughing! Under different circumstances, calling someone Mrs. Blah Blah might cause big trouble and lots of drama.

Emotions boil over quickly when people feel attacked for their English-speaking abilities. If you’re fortunate enough to travel, be it Louisiana or London, the English you hear may sound like a foreign language and you could become the speaker people ridicule. Watch how one soldier handles his communication situation:

                                             https://youtu.be/1SuKHABz6rU

With so many accents, dialects, and new slang words in America, we could all use subtitle assistance. What are you trying to communicate, but still wonder if anyone understands you?

Modified from a 2012 post.