EYES - YOUR WINDOW TO THE WORLD

God gave us eyes to see the world, but it seems no two people see things the same way. Each person has their own opinion of what they see and how they see it. A cloudy day to one could be an overcast day to another, and a partly sunny day to someone else. It’s all in the perception.

Let’s look at a blooming flower...the first person sees it as a gift from nature; the second person sees it as part of a garden; and the third person sees it as just an item to pick for a vase to make a centerpiece. Yet, a flower is still a flower.

It’s especially hard to get a room full of people to see things alike. Take Congress for example; (PERSON ONE:) our President sees our country as (nature) the “land of opportunity;” (PERSON TWO:) the Democrats see our country with issues that need to be fixed, enhanced or reduced, or restructured (like cultivating a garden); (PERSON THREE:) the Republicans see our country as an item, to be picked apart, criticized, ridiculed, or bought - like corporations buying votes with high paid lobbyists. It’s all about MONEY.

Our President was elected by a majority of the PEOPLE. Now the Democrats are in power, so Republicans are stomping their feet and spitefully trying to ruin his term to gain their power back. Life is not a tit-for-tat event; everyone should work together for a common goal. The past eight years did enough damage to our country (two wars and a failed economy - the Democrats inherited) and we are still trying to recover from it. Be patient, be kind, give people a chance to accomplish their goals.

Mother Nature (American people) - stand up and shout! The flower IS a part of nature to be jointly cultivated like a garden, to be nurtured and grown for all to enjoy; not an item to be picked apart.

Elect officials that CARE about PEOPLE and are not filling their pockets with cash, benefits and power. Tell your current elected officials how you feel, what your issues are, and what you want him/her to vote for/against in his/her elected capacity. Screaming or bashing at a town meeting, or any other meeting of the minds, is not getting things done. Don’t pick things apart or ridicule, because that shows your foolish side.

Open your eyes and SEE the flower. See it from different perspectives before making judgments. Things are not always as they seem, to you.

GOOD PEOPLE CAN STILL BE FOUND

In these days of tacky news (dissatisfaction with government) and too much criminal activity, it is comforting to know that life goes on somewhat normally and people are super in a small town.

In spite of the allegations flying in Washington D.C., the local accidents, and robberies, there was a kind-hearted fellow who put a smile on my face recently. I’ll give him a short name and call him Al. He made me realize that we are just a small part of what goes on in the world, but we live in a world that’s too busy sometimes.

I keep busy and don’t always have time to get everything done that needs doing each day. Things carry over until I finally have a slower than normal day and I can try to catch up. That’s a rare happening. I have errands and appointments that make me wonder how my house is still holding up under the clutter. Even my pickup truck suffers in the course of my “too busy” life.

I’ve had a small (very small) part broken for a while and I was reminded of it each time I tried my windshield washer squirters. The fluid would just not squirt over a small sputter. I found a hole in the plastic “Y” piece that connects the hose from the tank to the fluid release line below the windshield.

It might have been a quick task to just go buy the part and fix it. Better said than done in my world. After about six weeks of just not getting around to it, I finally made time to go by a parts store and check it out.

When I went in the store, I saw the face of the young man who helped me once before. Until that moment, I had not recalled the time my headlight went out and he fixed it by plugging in a new bulb. I explained my dilemma and he immediately wanted to go look at the part to fix it properly.

I popped the hood and he surveyed the situation. Without hesitation, he proceeded to remove the broken part, using something in his pocket to help pry it off. Things under hood don’t usually just peel or pop off easily. He was having some difficulty in getting the part off and had to remove the section of hose extending to the farthest outlet.

Al went inside and found the little plastic “Y” part and disappeared in the back to retrieve some hose line for replacement. I just stood there and watched. He went back out to the car and put the part on, then attached the new hose line and said, “try it out.”

I turned on the windshield wipers and fluid squirted far and freely like it should, all over the window. Relief, I thought, now I can have a cleaner window when I need it.

I went back inside with him to pay the bill. The part cost $1.58. The section of hose he replaced was free. And his time was priceless. I couldn’t even give him a tip for fixing it for me.

Al was helpful, generous with his time, and a credit to his employer for the example he set for the business. I couldn’t say thank you enough that day. I’m still thinking now that this same young man has a reputation that should be applauded, because he will continue to grow and age with friendly, satisfied customers who will remember his kindness. I’m sure there are lots more examples of goodness out there, but this one touched my life enough to put that smile on my otherwise busy face.

There should be more pats on the back for good-deed-doers. I sometimes think about this thankless world and how we take for granted the good deeds of others, like law enforcement officers, firemen, emergency personnel, etc., who help people in some way every day.

Put a smile on someone’s face - reach out and help someone do something today.

NOT GLENN BECK?

Victim In Fatal Car Accident Tragically Not Glenn Beck @ Yahoo! Video

GIVE US OUR (UNSQUISHED) DAILY BREAD

Do you have a pet peeve? I’m sure everyone has at least one. Mine is hurried people who try to burden women with overfilled, heavy plastic bags. There are a few men, and females, who are a member of that profession. But, let’s face it, some of the young guys/gals of today need a new teacher-of-bagology.

Why do they try to cram so much into one sack? Why do they put all the cans in one sack or all the half gallon juice or milk containers, along with the ice cream, in one sack? Why is the bread always stuck in somewhere on the side, just because it’s light? Last shopping trip I had a bunch of bananas making a dent in the bread crust. Squished bread is as bad as burnt toast - bird food

I understand the need for baggers at the grocery, but (store managers) let’s give them the education they need to help us, not hinder us. Some people have to carry those sacks walking, some from the car to the kitchen, some long distance, some up stairs, some in wheelchairs, and it sure would be nice to get there - bags unbroken and eggs not cracked.

Baggers, please don’t be in such a hurry. Take pride in what you are doing. You are not just there to put in your time for a paycheck. You are performing a needed service. Pack those bags for us so WE can carry them home, not Hercules. Remember, those senior citizens who shop alone don’t have the strength that you younger ones do.

If we tell the baggers how we want the items distributed, they shouldn’t get offended. We are trying to help ourselves and teach you for the future. It’s a lost art, that of packing one brown sack with all that’s needed for the week. The “wants” of today, the snack foods, the onset of plastic bags, and different food packaging, instant meals and frozen dinners have changed the world of shopping forever.

Managers, when you hire baggers, guide them with instructions on how to better assist the consumer, how to put the eggs and bread together instead of mashing them and tell them the bags don’t have to weigh 15 pounds each. An extra bag or two is easier to carry than a broken one any day.

I must, however, commend one mature bagger I’ve met who has always been efficient and courteous. Dave works at one of the grocery stores and could teach baggers a lot about packing for long distance walking. He is always polite and helpful. Keep up the good work!