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Thursday's Essay Preview
The first paragraph of Thursday's essay, "When the time is right, " reads as follows:
It is during January and February when I experience some of my most productive time when it comes to writing. I am able to “stock-up” on essays for my blog, write reviews of books for my blog, and compose speeches and other items, like no other time during the year. For example, since January 14th, 2011, when I finished reading page proofs for the 10th edition of my textbook, Communicating Effectively (McGraw-Hill), I completed more than 30 essays and nearly 25 book reviews.
Thursday's Essay Excerpt - from the last paragraph of the essay
If I have the proper mindset, my attention is sufficiently focused, and I am filled with passion, then I have happily discovered that with some relaxation and patience — perhaps even turning my attention to other things than the project at hand — I can accomplish what I need to do. It is as if I am offering directions and guidance — albeit surreptitiously [acting with stealth] — to the behavioral centers of my physical being. In the end (when the time is right), I am simply programming my self for productivity.
And Then Some News
Thursday's Essay Preview
The first two paragraphs of Thursday's essay, "How Do You Know?, " read as follows:
Our life can be our insurance policy. It doesn’t work for everyone; however, it can work for you if 1) you think about it, 2) prepare for it, and 3) use it.
We purchase life insurance, automobile insurance, and house insurance, and we spend a great deal of our money on these insurance policies. Seldom, however, do we spend as much money on any other kind of insurance policy. It is, perhaps, because these are obvious, they are what everybody does, and, as much as possible, they protect us from unexpected disasters, calamities, and accidents. Word of mouth from others who have been protected from such situations by their insurance policies is often sufficient testimony to convince us of the need for it.
Thursday's Essay Excerpt - from the last paragraph of the essay
The idea of being able to face any aspect of your life or any new experience with all of your skills and abilities at their peak can be a self-fulfilling prophecy. That is, if you know that your engine is tuned and fully fueled, you are ready to compete with any other vehicle in its class, and that information allows you to be confident, self-assured, and ready for action. It is as if your success is pre-conditioned and that strength then energizes you to be the winner that you are. That is when your life becomes your insurance policy, and the answer to the question, “How do you know?” is clear. I know I can face any obstacle, any problem, any predicament, and arrive at the best solution possible — because I have all the skill and ability I need!
And Then Some News
Thursday's Essay Preview
The first paragraph of Thursday's essay, "An Amazing Coincidence --- Sister Camille's Experience, " reads as follows:
On Friday, February 11, 2011, I received a message on my answering machine. The name was garbled; however, the phone number for contacting the party was clear, and I copied it down. In going to my computer, my son had forwarded a message to me from our andthensomeworks.com web site which duplicated the answering-machine message. The message was as follows:
“Your father-in-law is a long time friend and mentor of mine. Something has come to my attention that I would like to discuss with you. I will be out much of today; however, I’d appreciate a phone number where I might contact you.”
Thursday's Essay Excerpt - from the last paragraph of the essay
We found an answer to this amazing coincidence that was simple and to the point: When a book is “donated” to the Maumee Public Library (part of the Lucas County Public Library system) it is given to .Friends of the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library. Friends of the Library (FOTL) is a nonprofit organization that encourages, promotes, and supports the ongoing operation of the Library, and “donated” books are sold (often at Amazon.com) to support FOTL operations. Sister Camille purchased the book at Amazon.com, and it was supplied by FOTL.
And Then Some News
Thursday's Essay Preview
The first paragraph of Thursday's essay, "Coping Skills: How to Handle Life's Challenges, " reads as follows:
In a book by Ruth David Konigsberg, The Truth About Grief (Simon & Schuster, 2011) one of the ways Konigsberg focuses upon when it comes to successfully coping with grief, is having effective coping skills; however, the question quickly comes to mind, “What does that mean?” or “Do I have effective coping skills?” or “How can I develop the proper skills so I am prepared to face difficult (stressful, hurtful, or pressure-related) situations?” or “How can I handle life’s challenges in the most effective way?”
Thursday's Essay Excerpt - from the last paragraph of the essay
Answers to the questions raised in the first paragraph about developing coping skills such as, “What does that mean?” or “Do I have effective coping skills?” or “How can I develop the proper skills so I am prepared to face difficult (stressful, hurtful, or pressure-related) situations?” “How can I handle life’s challenges in the most effective way?” should be clear now. Much of what you can do must take place early — planning ahead. The more skills you have in place and the more you have used before (so they are habitual or automatic), the easier it will be to handle life’s challenges.
And Then Some News
Thursday's Essay Preview
The first paragraph of Thursday's essay, "When I die, " reads as follows:
I don’t think about death. It has really never been on my mind. However, I have had deaths thrust upon me in a variety of ways. I had to identify my father’s body when he died with his boots on teaching a seminar at the University of Michigan while I was a student there. My mother died in a nursing home in California. My mother-in-law died in a Hospice facility in Ann Arbor, Michigan. One of our close friends died of lung cancer at 45 years old, and he never smoked. The main benefactor of the church I attend died, and I went to his funeral. And, with a father-in-law who is 98 years old, death is likely to be thrust upon me once again.
Thursday's Essay Excerpt - from the last paragraph of the essay
My life is what it is, and that’s it. I was thinking as I wrote this essay, what would I want written on my gravestone? Then I thought, no, there will be no tombstone. Remember: cheap! On the post-it-note attached to the urn that holds my ashes — and there doesn’t even need to be an urn, for heaven’s sake! — it can say in small print: “He left this a better place.” Without an urn, put the note on the lower left (not on the right!) of the bathroom mirror, or write it with your finger in the thin layer of dust on the mantle!
And Then Some News
Thursday's Essay Preview
The first paragraph of Thursday's essay, "Dealing with Death, " reads as follows:
This is an uncomfortable topic simply because it is seldom discussed, and, too, because it affects people in different ways at different times during their lives. You may think you deal with it the same way each time it affects your life, but that is unlikely to be true. Every response is different depending on their relationship to you. There are so many variables involved: how close the person was to you, your own health, happiness, and security, and how many other tragedies or traumas you are having to deal with at the time. That isn’t the end either. How did the person die? What are the circumstances surrounding the event? Where is the funeral (and viewing) to be held? Who will be (should be?) invited? And many more questions, too.
Thursday's Essay Excerpt - from the last paragraph of the essay
I once heard an apt quotation on the television show Roseanne : “If you spend all your time worrying about dying, living isn't going to be much fun.” Norman Cousins had a slightly different twist on a similar thought: “Death is not the greatest loss in life. The greatest loss is what dies inside us while we live.” Do I think about death? Seldom. Do I want to die? No. I am indebted to the deep thinking, popular American philosopher, Doris Day (he says with tongue firmly planted in cheek!), who said, “The really frightening thing about middle age is the knowledge that you'll grow out of it.” But most of all, I love the quotation attributed to R. Geis, “I wouldn't mind dying,” he says, “it's the business of having to stay dead that scares the shit out of me.”
And Then Some News
Thursday's Essay Preview
The first paragraph of Thursday's essay, "It's Great Being an American, " reads as follows:
I have traveled around the world. I have lived in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), visited India, Kashmir, Nepal, the Phillippines, Japan and traveled throughout Southeast Asia, Europe, and the Carribbean. One question that I have received is, “Having seen the world, where would you most like to live?” The answer is Pavlovian (it requires no thought whatsoever): in the United States (US).
Thursday's Essay Excerpt - from the last paragraph of the essay
It was Evan Thomas who sparked this essay, and I am indebted to him for electrifying my senses. Too often, I’m afraid, we take all that we have available to us for granted. If you, as a reader of this essay, has never traveled abroad and, thus, have no comparison regarding what we have available to us, you may not completely understand my passion. On the other hand, you may not want to travel outside the US at all simply because you like what we have here! — you already have passion! We have a great country, and it’s great to be an American!
And Then Some News
Thursday's Essay Preview
The first paragraph of Thursday's essay, "Be Proactive and Succeed, " reads as follows:
Whenever I had the opportunity — like when I pulled on the wishbone of a turkey and made a wish or blew out the candles on my birthday cake and made a wish — I would use the opportunity to plan for some future success. That is, I would make my wishes specific and even place a time frame on them — that is, when I would like the wish to be granted. I don’t believe in making wishes nor do I ever expect that the wishes I make will come true. Then why, you might ask, do I waste my time making them?
Thursday's Essay Excerpt - from the last paragraph of the essay
Being proactive has not only assisted me in my professional life, but it has helped as well in decision making, problem solving, and dealing with most daily issues and routines. To plan ahead has wonderful results in relieving stress, saving time, and getting more accomplished. Being proactive is an essential skill for anyone who is effective or who wants to be successful.
And Then Some News
Thursday's Essay Preview
The first paragraph of Thursday's essay, "Transitions, " reads as follows:
It’s been happening a lot lately. Life transitions are being thrust before me, and I’ve heard that it gets worse as you get older. There have been a number of deaths, some people have entered “care facilities,” and there has been a wedding (one of my two sons, and the last of my four children, got married).
Thursday's Essay Excerpt - from the last paragraph of the essay
Life goes on. Likewise, transitions go on, too. What has been especially fun for me is that I have had the opportunity not just to observe all of this, but I have had the thrill of documenting and writing about it. Probably the most important idea in the life transitioning that takes place is being flexible and adaptable, because often transitions cause change — if not physically, at least attitudinally. They cannot be avoided; attitude shifts take place, and life goes on. I think Gail Sheehy had it right. Maybe the best thing we can do is just to Let Go!
And Then Some News
Thursday's Essay Preview
The first paragraph of Thursday's essay, "Life's Second Choices, " reads as follows:
One of my jobs as a college academic adviser was to answer student questions, ease their transition from high school to college, and offer suggestions regarding course work. Inevitably through my conversations, I would discover that they had come to this college instead of their first choice because of cost (most often), academic ineligibility (they didn’t have the grades), distance (the desired college was too far away), or parental guidance (their parents preferred this choice rather than their first choice). How I addressed their concern about coming to a college that was not their first choice, offers some general parameters regarding how everyone must deal with life’s second choices.
Thursday's Essay Excerpt - from the last paragraph of the essay
Life’s second choices may, at least at first, make a person despondent or sad; but such despondency or sadness should be short lived. Why? Life is short and offers us few “do-overs.” Rather than waste the emotional energy that despondency or sadness require — or any energy devoted to negative emotions — they need to get up, brush themselves off, and begin on a course of action designed to take their best advantage of the hand that has been delivered them. In that way they are not just making positive use of their time and energy, but they are capitalizing on where they are in life and helping themselves move forward toward greater success and opportunity.
And Then Some News
Thursday's Essay Preview
The first paragraph of Thursday's essay, "Aesthetics --- A well ordered, well-organized, disciplined life, " reads as follows:
As I was sitting having breakfast before dawn one morning (on many mornings!), I enjoyed subdued lighting, gentle, comforting music, and a clean, neat relaxing dining room ambiance. Suddenly, as I enjoyed this incredibly satisfying environment, I realized that it was aesthetics — characterized by an appreciation of beauty or good taste — that was engaging my senses and providing the balance that an ordered, well-organized, disciplined life can bring.
Thursday's Essay Excerpt - from the last paragraph of the essay
I totally agree with this comment, however, I have also discovered that there is surprising beauty in everything with which we have contact. It may need us to look more closely; it may need us to draw back to see the greater picture. Once we have satisfied the lower-order needs on Maslow’s Hierarchy, the likelihood that we can see and appreciate the aesthetics in everything we encounter becomes more likely. And when we get to that point, we get closer to achieving the balance that an ordered, well-organized, disciplined life can bring.
And Then Some News
Thursday's Essay Preview
The first paragraph of Thursday's essay, "Aesthetics --- A well ordered, well-organized, disciplined life, " reads as follows:
As I was sitting having breakfast before dawn one morning (on many mornings!), I enjoyed subdued lighting, gentle, comforting music, and a clean, neat relaxing dining room ambiance. Suddenly, as I enjoyed this incredibly satisfying environment, I realized that it was aesthetics — characterized by an appreciation of beauty or good taste — that was engaging my senses and providing the balance that an ordered, well-organized, disciplined life can bring.
Thursday's Essay Excerpt - from the last paragraph of the essay
I totally agree with this comment, however, I have also discovered that there is surprising beauty in everything with which we have contact. It may need us to look more closely; it may need us to draw back to see the greater picture. Once we have satisfied the lower-order needs on Maslow’s Hierarchy, the likelihood that we can see and appreciate the aesthetics in everything we encounter becomes more likely. And when we get to that point, we get closer to achieving the balance that an ordered, well-organized, disciplined life can bring.
And Then Some News
Thursday's Essay Preview
The first paragraph of Thursday's essay, "Taking the long way home" reads as follows:
It was Dale Carnegie who said, “One of the most tragic things I know about human nature is that all of us tend to put off living. We are all dreaming of some magical rose garden over the horizon instead of enjoying the roses that are blooming outside our windows today.” I have always been a person who enjoyed his life, no matter what stage, no matter where, and no matter when.
Thursday's Essay Excerpt - from the last paragraph of the essay
So the simple question becomes, how do you take the long way home? The answer lies, in part, in what Dale Carnegie said at the outset of this essay, “enjoying the roses that are blooming outside our windows today.” It means taking longer, observing more, experiencing further, thinking deeper, and, in all cases, appreciating wholeheartedly. It may even mean getting outside of ourselves and becoming immersed in the world around us. Taking the long way home is pursuing life — and then some!
And Then Some News
Thursday's Essay Preview
The first paragraph of Thursday's essay, "Coincidence --- Keep your eye out for the levers and pullies" reads as follows:
“Mark Twain was born on the day of the appearance of Halley's Comet in 1835, and died on the day of its next appearance in 1910. He himself predicted this in 1909, when he said: "I came in with Halley's Comet in 1835. It is coming again next year, and I expect to go out with it."
([N.a.]. (05-02-07). Oddee, “20 Most Amazing Coincidences,” Retrieved January 26, 2011.).
Thursday's Essay Excerpt - from the last paragraph of the essay
Robert Novella, cited above, concludes his essay in this way: “. . . the vast majority [of coincidences] that we experience turn out to be much more probable than they appear, if analyzed critically. When this is taken into account, along with our propensity for selective validation, our desire to believe in something akin to fate, and our coincidence-detection hardwiring, the true deceptive power of coincidence is realized.” Emma Bull said, “Coincidence is the word we use when we can't see the levers and pulleys.”
And Then Some News
Thursday's Essay Preview
The first paragraph of Thursday's essay, "The power lies within you" reads as follows:
The internal locus of control concept is so important and can have such a powerful influence on people’s lives, that I spent one entire lecture in my basic speech-communication class discussing it. I would give students a “test” in lecture without them having a clue about what its subject or nature was, I would “grade” it for them orally (again, without them having any idea of what it was all about), I would ask for a show of hands only (and without the results of the “test” having been interpreted — in other words, only with their “test” numbers in hand) I would ask them how they performed, and, finally, with their results in front of them, I would interpret their results for them. Never did they have to reveal their results once the interpretation of their results was provided.
Thursday's Essay Excerpt - from the last paragraph of the essay
How much people believe they have control over their lives makes a significant difference now and for their future. There are a number of sources online where tests can be taken to determine internal versus external belief systems. The biggest discovery — and the point of this essay — is that it all depends on choice. And moving from an external to an internal belief system can be accomplished. Sure, it takes patience and perseverance, but what in life that is worth achieving does not require time and effort?
And Then Some News
Thursday's Essay Preview
The first paragraph of Thursday's essay, "When I get up in the morning" reads as follows:
Often I can predict what kind of a day I’m going to have by the way I get up in the morning. I’m not always accurate, but I use my “getting up” as an indicator. When I showed one of my granddaughters my daily log, she asked me why I begin each day with the time I get up? What she was really asking was, What difference does that make? I explained that the time I get up each morning is just one of the indicators I use for what kind of a day I’m likely to have. When my log indicates that I woke up just before the alarm clock, that is a signal to me that I’m likely to have a very productive day. (Remember what I said above, “I’m not always accurate.”)
Thursday's Essay Excerpt - from the last paragraph of the essay
When I wake up in the morning, I am always grateful for the day I have ahead of me. I never (and have never) seen any day as a burden that I just have to “get through.” I see each day as an opportunity to do something meaningful, beneficial, and satisfying. What is important, especially for the purposes of this essay, is that what I do during the day has a direct and immediate effect on what happens every night and what it will be like when I get up in the morning. I love the quotation attributed to J.M. Powers, “If you want to make your dreams come true, the first thing you have to do is wake up.”
And Then Some News
Thursday's Essay Preview
The first paragraph of Thursday's essay, "Why I wouldn't want to live on a Caribbean island" reads as follows:
When we went to “Super J’s” grocery store for milk on Friday — they received no shipment on Monday and said their next one was due on Friday — they were already out, if they received a shipment at all. We had to purchase half-gallons of Lactose-free milk at $15.99 EC$ (more than $5.00 U.S. ) each, but we were totally dependent on island deliveries, and for most of the week (all except the first 2-3 days), we could not have our regular skim milk.
Thursday's Essay Excerpt - from the last paragraph of the essay
I love traveling, and I love sampling other lives and lifestyles. I am a people-watcher, and while waiting for our ride in St. Lucia, at a number of different places, I watched how local people dressed and acted. When we traveled I observed how those in other cultures lived. This is a treat, to be sure. And, in many cases, I have observed that the lives of many in other cultures are simple and less complex than many in the United States. By contrast, I prefer our modern conveniences, technical “necessities,” and the complications and complexity we have. When it comes right down to it, I wouldn’t trade my life or lifestyle for any other in the world!
And Then Some News
Thursday's Essay Preview
The first paragraph of Thursday's essay, "Planning to go to St. Lucia?" reads as follows:
There are several things I learned from a week in St. Lucia that may help others who are planning to go. It is a popular Caribbean destination, and St. Lucians are trying to make it known as a romantic getaway and the destination for honeymooners. In this essay I will address the kind of dress that is appropriate, the situation regarding food, and transportation.
Thursday's Essay Excerpt - from the last paragraph of the essay
Dress, food, and transportation are some of the factors that need to be considered if you are planning to go to St. Lucia. We went to accompany our older daughter and her 3 kids, and it was a great choice (very expensive to get there, to rent a house, and to buy food), but we saw the island, experienced the culture, enjoyed the cuisine, swam in the water, and would want to experience another place for another time.
And Then Some News
Thursday's Essay Preview
The first paragraph of Thursday's essay, "St. Lucia: Some Observations," reads as follows:
For an island just 27 miFles long and only 14 miles wide (238 sq. miles), it hosts a number of extremes. The first and most obvious (easily observable) is the geography. The terrain is described as volcanic and mountainous with some broad fertile valleys. It is more mountainous than many other Caribbean islands (except, perhaps, St. Vincent) with its highest point being Mount Gimie (pronounced “Jimmy”) at 3,120 feet above sea level. There are 90-inches of rain each year with temperatures averaging 70-90-degrees Fahrenheit, and the island hosts 2 separate rain forests that, together, cover 19,000 acres.
Thursday's Essay Excerpt - from the last paragraph of the essay
We have enjoyed St. Lucia because of its history, geography, climate, local food, culture, and overall ambiance. It is one of the most outstanding of the Caribbean islands because everyone speaks English (the locals chat with each other in Patois, which is a blend of African-Caribbean language, heavily laden with French), they cater to tourists, it has irrefutable beauty, and it is easy to get around. It has been a fun, relaxing, pleasant week — despite the heat and humidity. That said, it is unlikely we would ever need or want to come back. We have seen in St. Lucia all we need or want to see; we prefer going to places we have never been before, and that is why we came to St. Lucia in the first place. There are so many elements that harmonize to make St. Lucia a true destination in the Caribbean especially for those who have never been to a Caribbean island.
And Then Some News
Thursday's Essay Preview
The first paragraph of Thursday's essay, "St. Lucia: What We Did," reads as follows:
Our older daughter made the arrangements, and we rented a 3-story, 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom house that looked out to Rodney Bay from the side of a “mountain” (large hill), along with many other beautiful, modern, well-landscaped homes, most of them (but not ours) gated. The house is fully furnished with all pots and pans, dishes, towels, and air conditioners in 3 of the 4 bedrooms (electricity is expensive), but no air conditioning in the main parts of the spacious house. As I write this essay, we have 3 of the full-length sliding glass doors (only 2 with screens), wide open and the front door (no screen) open for cross ventilation.
Thursday's Essay Excerpt - from the last paragraphs of the essay
On our way home we traveled the “roller coaster” road down into Castries by the governor’s mansion. We stopped briefly to have a wonderful view of the entire town and port area. One of the docked cruise ships was getting ready to leave, and by the time we were in the port area itself, it was nowhere in sight.
We arrived back in Rodney Bay around 6:00 p.m. after a very long day. I have saved my observations about the island and island culture for my second St. Lucian essay: “St. Lucia: Some observations.”
And Then Some News
