What is going on with Americans these days? Is it me, or does it seem that our patience is getting shorter and shorter? I know we have the drive-thru everything, but what happened to common courtesy? For instance, yesterday I was at the $ Store and was about the third in line, the women at the register bought about $35 worth of merchandise. They were using an EBT card and first had to find it in the purse, then scan it, didn't work the first time, scan it again...had to pay the balance with cash. The total transaction took about five minutes, but you would've thought it was an hour. I could feel the restlessness behind me. People should know by now that when you think you're going to run in and out of a store, that is when the lines are backed up or you get the new cashier. I've learned to give myself plenty of time and just be prepared for whatever comes. So, when it was my turn at the register, I made sure to smile and have a positive attitude. I think the cashier appreciated it.
So, I'm thinking about what has made us so impatient...why are we a society of instant gratification? I mean we want it and we want it now! We have drive-thru everything. Our impatience is growing at an alarming rate...this morning as I dropped DQ off at school there are two lines for the cars and people were constantly switching back and forth, it was nerve wrecking. Let's not even mention road rage.
As I've watched the world around me, I've decided to be a more patient person. I give myself plenty of time to do tasks like grocery shopping, getting from point A to B. I know we are trying to make our days longer by squeezing in as much as we can, but my advice is to SLOW DOWN and enjoy the journey. We are letting the small things take over. The things we think are important probably are not. The older I get the more I realize the value family, friends, enjoying life and just being happy. I find I feel better when I'm relaxed and not rushing around. It feels good to be pleasant to people (especially those in the service sector), they do appreciate kindness and patience. Now don't get me wrong, my quest for patience does not mean that I will be a pushover. There are times when we have to be assertive, but most times we can offer kindness. Being a blessing to others is not always about giving materialistically, but giving of ourselves which includes a smile or a nice word. Think about it...
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Finally...
It's May 13th...finally! If I have to watch another campaign ad from Greg Davis or Travis Childers, I think I'm going to puke! Childers and Davis are running for the congressional seat vacated by Roger Wicker who was tapped to replace Trent Lott. Anyway, the smearfest started way back when and the during the first election, neither won more than 51% of the vote, Childers did win the popular vote by a small margin. This is a big deal because it could determine how things play out in November. There is even an article on CNN.com about the runoff. Go figure!
I've been trying to learn where each stands on the issues because if I had to base my vote on the smearfest, neither would get my vote. According to the Republican National Party, Childers is a liberal endorsed by Obama (as a Democrat, why wouldn't Obama endorse him?), he doesn't pay his taxes, his partner is a convicted felon. According to the Democratic National Party, Davis uses tax payer money to furnish a lavish lifestyle, he raises taxes and he doesn't give a flip about the ederly. Why do we love to hear the dirt, but not the issues?! I refuse to distinguish myself as either a Republican or Democrat, I am an Independent voter who chooses my candidate based on the issues.
So, both candidates describe themselves as conservative...what does that mean exactly. I turned to wikipedia and the only thing it defined was conservatism and it is defined as a term used to describe political philosophies that favor tradition and gradual change, where tradition refers to religious, cultural, or nationally defined beliefs and customs. These men who define themselves as conservative running such negative ads--a major turnoff for me. When you really look at the key issues and where each candidate stands they are really not that much different. They both address some issues that the other doesn't and that is where people should base their decision. While both have issues that I don't feel strongly about, there are a few that will determine who gets my vote.
I've been trying to learn where each stands on the issues because if I had to base my vote on the smearfest, neither would get my vote. According to the Republican National Party, Childers is a liberal endorsed by Obama (as a Democrat, why wouldn't Obama endorse him?), he doesn't pay his taxes, his partner is a convicted felon. According to the Democratic National Party, Davis uses tax payer money to furnish a lavish lifestyle, he raises taxes and he doesn't give a flip about the ederly. Why do we love to hear the dirt, but not the issues?! I refuse to distinguish myself as either a Republican or Democrat, I am an Independent voter who chooses my candidate based on the issues.
So, both candidates describe themselves as conservative...what does that mean exactly. I turned to wikipedia and the only thing it defined was conservatism and it is defined as a term used to describe political philosophies that favor tradition and gradual change, where tradition refers to religious, cultural, or nationally defined beliefs and customs. These men who define themselves as conservative running such negative ads--a major turnoff for me. When you really look at the key issues and where each candidate stands they are really not that much different. They both address some issues that the other doesn't and that is where people should base their decision. While both have issues that I don't feel strongly about, there are a few that will determine who gets my vote.
Monday, May 05, 2008
Let the Countdown Begin
Well, it's May which means the countdown is on! Since I am on a ten month contract, my work year is from August 1st to May 31st. I enjoy having June and July to catch up on reading, housework and television. I also do a little traveling to visit family and friends. This year I have several things on the agenda...I'm joined the library challenge to read and blog about three southern books, the books have to be written by southern authors and set in the south. I think for the first I'm going to re-read Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston. I read that book for the first time last summer and just fell in love with it, it is a love story that transcends time. I haven't decided what else to read, but I would like to read and post something by and about African Americans. Not only can I relate better to the story, but I would like to share the experiences of African Americans with others in the read/blog group.
My next project is to redo my bathroom. My house is small and about twenty years old and when I bought it I knew it would require a lot of work/projects. I plan to paint, add new decor and possibly redo the flooring. Eventually, I'd like to remove the carpet from the living area and hallway and I think I will test my "skills" by doing the bathroom. I'm sure there will be a post when I undertake the project.
I also plan on making a road trip to Milwaukee this year. My maternal family reunion will be there this year the weekend of July 11-12. My plan is to go about a week and a half earlier and see some sights and enjoy family prior to the big event. I'm sure the visit will welcome a nice break from this southern heat.
So, today is May 5th and that means I have seventeen working days left! I was suckered into going to the zoo with the Senatobia Elementary Kindergarten students on the 20th...I'm sure as I walk around with DQ and another kid I'll wish I was at work. Anyway, this is the last week of class for our students, so I'm sure we will be busy shelving books and answering questions that deal with typing and printing papers. Once finals are over (May 15th) we lock our doors until summer school and I finish up the last minute cataloging and year-end reports and I'm out the door until August! Yippee!!!!
My next project is to redo my bathroom. My house is small and about twenty years old and when I bought it I knew it would require a lot of work/projects. I plan to paint, add new decor and possibly redo the flooring. Eventually, I'd like to remove the carpet from the living area and hallway and I think I will test my "skills" by doing the bathroom. I'm sure there will be a post when I undertake the project.
I also plan on making a road trip to Milwaukee this year. My maternal family reunion will be there this year the weekend of July 11-12. My plan is to go about a week and a half earlier and see some sights and enjoy family prior to the big event. I'm sure the visit will welcome a nice break from this southern heat.
So, today is May 5th and that means I have seventeen working days left! I was suckered into going to the zoo with the Senatobia Elementary Kindergarten students on the 20th...I'm sure as I walk around with DQ and another kid I'll wish I was at work. Anyway, this is the last week of class for our students, so I'm sure we will be busy shelving books and answering questions that deal with typing and printing papers. Once finals are over (May 15th) we lock our doors until summer school and I finish up the last minute cataloging and year-end reports and I'm out the door until August! Yippee!!!!
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