During my quest to keep this column relevant, I came across a list of thoughts that are purported to be important to living a good life. I believe some of them will start a debate in your mind. See what you think.
How about this for a beginning: Assume all guns are loaded. This is a very timely subject. First of all, there’s quite a discussion going on in our country about gun ownership. Of course, the National Rifle Association (NRA) promotes gun ownership for all responsible people. The more I hear about shootings in our cities, the more I believe maybe we all should have a gun to protect ourselves. But then there’s the question, how did that bad guy get his gun?
It’s actually something I never thought about doing until the last few years. An acquaintance who has a concealed carry license tells me that their gun is always loaded. The person says, what good is it if you don’t have any ammunition in it? I guess if you have a gun, the important thing is, know how to use it and know how to keep it away from those who don’t. If you come across a gun, assume it’s loaded. Don’t touch it if you don’t know what you’re doing.
Now we have this: No need to mention sunburns. Believe me, those who have one, know it. Having a sunburn is not a common thing now because the public is more educated about sun damage and the availability and use of sunscreens. All you have to do is put it on thick enough and you will be protected. Clearly, those last few people I’ve seen with the bad burns didn’t get that message.
I know they are terrifically uncomfortable. In earlier years I have been a victim of many sunburns, even to the point of blisters. When I was growing up, there was no protection for sun and, in fact, sometimes we put oil on ourselves and kind of cooked in the sun to get a better tan. Of course, now we all know that was a crazy thing to do, but we didn’t know that then. Noxzema was all the protection we had. It was an aromatic white cream that you could put on your nose to protect it or use it after the sunburn occurred to help soothe the pain.
Those days should be over. No one has to have a sunburn now.
Here’s this tip: The best way to show thanks is to wear it, even if it’s only once. Sometimes we receive a gift and it may not be something we would have chosen and even think it painful to put it on. I had a recent discussion with a female friend who had received a tunic top, something to be worn over pants. It was big and flowing and one she never would have chosen for herself, but because it was a gift she wore it. The person who gave it to her saw the picture of her in it, which had to make them smile. A good deed done! Actually I thought it looked really nice on her. Maybe that item will even get a second wearing.
How about this one: If you have the right-of-way, take it. This brings me to a discussion of four-way stops. I believe at that type of intersection, if cars stop at different times the first one who stops proceeds into the intersection and goes on. But I have always been told that if two people stop at the same time the person to the right goes first.
I have recently had near dueling matches with people who stopped at the same time I did at a four-way stop. They were to my right so I waited and waited and nothing happened. When I thought they were not going to go, I crept into the intersection. Then they suddenly went forward and here we were at a standoff almost halfway across the intersection. So I believe if you’re on the right side of the other person who just stopped, go ahead. Seriously, let’s keep traffic moving.
Then there’s this: It’s never too late for an apology. Some people apologize easily and even if it doesn’t seem sincere, they’ve made the effort. There are others who simply can’t apologize. They were never taught to do that and maybe it seems demeaning to them or they’re just way too stubborn.
An apology is a good thing, even if it takes a long time for it to happen. If there’s an apology due in your life, step up and do it.
How about this advice: When giving a thank you speech, short and sweet is best. I bet most people would say short and sweet is best for any kind of speech. People can only listen so long. I give it five to 10 minutes and after that my mind starts to wander … to my to-do list, something I forgot to say yesterday or what I might be making for dinner. Now you almost think they owe you an apology for the long thank you!
And finally we have: Don’t fill up on bread no matter how good it is. There are just so many reasons for this. This made me laugh when I thought of one grandchild who enjoys bread and would eat every piece in the basket before the rest of the dinner comes. He has done that and then doesn’t eat anything.
That bread has swollen up inside his stomach and filled every little crevice. Also, bread is almost nothing but carbohydrates. Carbohydrates in quantity are not really that good for us, so save the carbs for the dessert!
(Melanie Behrens – melb@marysvillejt.com)