Dial it Back

Rushing to get things done, regardless of whether the tasks are great or small, can cause unintended results. In a prior post, I mentioned that the manufacturers of the chocolate we buy glue the bag shut like they’re protecting pure gold. Being impatient, I’ve attacked the bag in a way that caused my family members to ask, “Why!?” This week, after ripping open the bag, I mumbled about how my family would probably blame me. Then, I laughed aloud. They ought to blame me since it was my fault. Don’t be surprised when impatience leads to outcomes like this:

                                         https://youtu.be/AsBb6IisoEs

 If impatience leads to harassment, prepare for retaliation. That’s how this guy earned himself a bill. His frustration was avoidable. The sooner we step outside of ourselves, and see others in the broader picture, the better. After considering the bigger picture, what hasty decision do you want to revisit?    

The Light in Your House

Why did lighthouses come up a recent conversation with my spouse? I forget what led to the topic, but afterwards I started thinking about the solitary lighthouses that stand out in the bay guiding sailors away from dangerous rocky shores. It’s unnerving to learn that lighthouse keepers have survived massive hurricanes while tucked inside the towers. In times past, it took three keepers to run the lighthouse so that a light always remained visible to passing boats. Often two or three families lived in the tower at the same time. Lighthouse keepers only left the tower for brief periods and passed time by playing board games, cards and reading. The keeper’s responsibilities also included repairing and painting the lighthouse, particularly if it received damage from a storm.

 If you click here, you’ll see incredible pictures of waves crashing against lighthouses, pounding at their foundations. It’s amazing that engineers could build structures strong enough to withstand nature’s fury. Here’s a video about a young man who faced his own storm:

                                            http://youtu.be/LMcr_i_oYNA

Where do you get the strength to push through difficult circumstances?  

It’s Not Dr. Seuss: Green Hair and Harm

When I lived in New York City, it wasn’t unusual to see people with blue, purple or green hair.   In fact, odds are in a city with over eight million people, you’re bound to see a wide assortment of hairstyles and hair colors.  One day in NYC, as I waited for a bus, a man strolled by wearing nothing but a pair of underwear briefs.  No heads turned and traffic kept right on flowing.  I was surprised that no one seemed affected by him.  Apparently, “different” is a relative term; your definition will vary from someone else’s definition depending upon your exposure to “different” and your spectrum of “normal.” Check out this video that features a woman with a unique sense of style.  If you cover your eyes and listen to her describe her job, you’ll find that she’s not much different from you or people you know.

I think the video speaks for itself.  As a child, were you ever chastised for staring at or devaluing people who seemed different?  Do you remember to remind your children and other family members to be respectful of others? How did we get to a place in society where one person or group thinks it’s acceptable to tease or assault others simply because of perceived differences?  In the words of a famous Californian, “Can’t we all just get along?”  I’m curious about the social psychology related to minimizing others and disrespecting differences.  Why do we mistreat one another?  Lots of unanswered questions today.  

In your opinion, what issues within us or within our culture contribute to ongoing social intolerance?