Have you ever given thought to the people in your past that helped shape you into the person you are today? Not just your immediate family, but others who crossed your life’s path, even if only for a brief moment. Oddly enough, that person is probably totally unaware of the impact that he or she had on you.
Using one of the many social networking sites, I managed to come across a former high-school classmate. This particular classmate was oddly peculiar, which appealed to me. She bucked the trend when bucking the trend wasn’t cool. The way she lived her life made a simple change in mine. When she took notes in class, she wrote from edge to edge on the paper and, using neat lettering, in all caps, fit two lines in the space of one. It was unique and went against the norm of writing. I took what she did and used it to refine my own style of handwriting. I still only fit a single row on each line and I stay well within the margins, however, I now write solely in capital letters.
When I contacted this person who changed my writing habits some 25 plus years later, she responded with an endearing, “I’m sorry, but how do I know you?”
Each of us probably has people in our lives that altered our normal way of doing things the way TJ did for me. Many of those people are clueless to the change they affected. And several of those may not even remember who we are. But the simple change in my handwriting style proves that, even when you are not aware of it, people watch you, and your actions have an effect that you may not even be cognizant of.
I think this holds especially true when dealing with children. We all shape our own children into who they one day become. Our actions alone may cause unnoticed children to change – but what is the total effect of our actions? Are the changes positive? What legacy are we leaving?
I challenge you today to do two things. First, reach out to someone who has had a positive influence in your life and tell them thank you. Secondly, live your life so that one day you too will be getting a call thanking you for how you changed someone’s life. Even if it is just changing someone’s handwriting style.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
I love technology.
Here it is ten years into the millennium and I am a little upset. I am still waiting for my hoverboard. You know, that skateboard without wheels we saw on the second Back to the Future movie. Granted, the “future” depicted in that movie was 2015, but I haven’t even seen plans or promotions for the hoverboard. By the time it actually does get here I’ll be too old to ride it!
I have been amazed at how technology has changed over the last 30 plus years. I remember standing around with some friends a few years ago and talking about how we would show pictures of our grandkids on handheld devices rather than carrying them around in our wallets. Little did I imagine that we would be able to make phone calls on those same machines.
Changing with the times we sometimes don’t recognize the changes around us until highlighted by a youngster. For example, my nephew rode with me in my totally un-automatic truck. No sooner had I buckled him into his child seat, he noticed the window cranks. His eyes got big and he said, “Does that open the window? Cool!” Another example was when a young lady was taking a picture of two cute girls at church. She had a disposable camera and was trying to use up the roll so she could get it developed. As soon as the flash cleared from the children’s eyes they rushed over and said, “I wanna see!”
Dealing with the youth as much as I do I fail to realize that many of these students don’t know what a record or a cassette tape is – much less an 8-track. They have never dialed a rotary dial phone or dealt with party lines. On a hot summer day they drink water from a bottle and not the garden hose. When they get called for dinner, mom doesn’t stick her head out the door and scream, she sends them a text.
My daughter has a quote on her Facebook page where she and her best friend predicted a future conversation. “Aw mom, not another DVD!! Why can't we watch the holographic 3D viewer?!” Check out her prediction by going to your local electronics store and ask to see the new 3D TV. Seriously! Meanwhile, I’m going back to the shop and work on my hoverboard. Christmas 2015 is not that far away!
I have been amazed at how technology has changed over the last 30 plus years. I remember standing around with some friends a few years ago and talking about how we would show pictures of our grandkids on handheld devices rather than carrying them around in our wallets. Little did I imagine that we would be able to make phone calls on those same machines.
Changing with the times we sometimes don’t recognize the changes around us until highlighted by a youngster. For example, my nephew rode with me in my totally un-automatic truck. No sooner had I buckled him into his child seat, he noticed the window cranks. His eyes got big and he said, “Does that open the window? Cool!” Another example was when a young lady was taking a picture of two cute girls at church. She had a disposable camera and was trying to use up the roll so she could get it developed. As soon as the flash cleared from the children’s eyes they rushed over and said, “I wanna see!”
Dealing with the youth as much as I do I fail to realize that many of these students don’t know what a record or a cassette tape is – much less an 8-track. They have never dialed a rotary dial phone or dealt with party lines. On a hot summer day they drink water from a bottle and not the garden hose. When they get called for dinner, mom doesn’t stick her head out the door and scream, she sends them a text.
My daughter has a quote on her Facebook page where she and her best friend predicted a future conversation. “Aw mom, not another DVD!! Why can't we watch the holographic 3D viewer?!” Check out her prediction by going to your local electronics store and ask to see the new 3D TV. Seriously! Meanwhile, I’m going back to the shop and work on my hoverboard. Christmas 2015 is not that far away!
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