Categories
motivation

Relying on Technology or Persistence?

Cartoon of woman spying a periscope in her backyard.

You have to wonder how animals would fare if they had similar technology to what humans have. There are some critters like raccoons, coyotes, and moles that are so persistent, they have learned to thrive in spite of human intervention.

They also thrive despite their lack of technology.

  • They have no smartphones to tell them where to go
  • They can’t text their friends or use workflow software to stay productive
  • They keep plugging away with what they possess
  • They can get quite creative in evading capture without group chats

I tend to rely on technology a lot. Email is the primary form of communication at work. It’s necessary when I communicate with people across the country. But we use it a lot internally, even though we may be within walking distance of visiting a coworker and clarifying a confusing conundrum.

At the end of a busy day, I’ve found it is persistence, creativity and a good attitude that keeps me going. I have learned to use technology when it is helpful and pull back when it is not. Relying too much on one type of tool can become a crutch, and even a hindrance if I am not careful.

Even so, I have always loved periscopes. Perhaps I should get one of those whenever I am searching for someone in a cubicle. Maybe I can find one with a HUD (Heads Up Display) and night vision! Wouldn’t that be cool? Now here I go, geeking out on technology again!

Has there been a time when you found technology wasn’t helping and you had to find another way? Let me know in the comments.

Cartoon of woman spying a periscope in her backyard.
Categories
motivation

Know Your Audience

Cartoon of two women. One looks disappointed. The other says, "It was a good try. But maybe the neighborhood kids just aren't interested in an all-you-can-eat tuna casserole event."
Originally published in "Kidzmatter Magazine"

Some things should be obvious. No matter how funny they are, it’s hard to get today’s teens to watch a Laurel and Hardy movie. Most men will not be attracted to binge-watching The Gilmore Girls And you won’t attract many senior citizens with a Justin Bieber concert. Sure, there are always outliers that are the exception, but you can’t bank on an entire retirement community getting Bieber Fever.

It’s important to know your audience. At the same time, you have to be true to yourself because the biggest audience is the audience of one: yourself. If you found an audience but you hate doing what attracted them in the first place, it won’t last long. To achieve any kind of success, you must be true to yourself.

That’s why I feel for the lady in my cartoon. She must love her tuna casserole, and she probably excels at making it. But if she is trying to do something nice for the neighborhood kids, she needs to find another way.

When you find that happy balance between what you like and what your desired audience likes, that’s the sweet spot. I’m still working on it. Heaven knows I sometimes wonder if my writing and cartooning style hits the mark. Perhaps I’m still looking for that key audience for me. It’s a continual process.

How have you balanced what you like doing with finding the right audience for you?

Cartoon of two women. One looks disappointed. The other says, "It was a good try. But maybe the neighborhood kids just aren't interested in an all-you-can-eat tuna casserole event."
Originally published in “Kidzmatter Magazine”
Categories
Attitude

Driving and Mouthing Off

Illustration of a guy driving a car with no mouth

There are times I wish we had mouth restraints as well as seatbelts for safety devices. every time a speeder blasts past me on the freeway, I am tempted to utter some sort of judgement about the driver’s mental health and their obvious anger issues.

But is it my place to make judgments about someone I don’t know? Maybe they are driving at an unsafe speed. But could there be other reasons for the driver’s recklessness?

  • Could the driver be in the middle of an emergency?
  • Could it be the police or another first responder?
  • Could it be a new dad rushing to witness the birth of his baby?

I have this tendency to rush to judgment when I should give others the benefit of the doubt. It is really none of my business as long as the other person isn’t harming me or others. I’ll let the police take care of it (if he or she isn’t one of them).

Perhaps I need to keep my shut. It goes without saying.

Have you ever made a judgment you realized was way off? Feel free to leave a comment below.

Illustration of a guy driving a car with no mouth
Categories
books Christianity discipline

Why We All Need Some Silence

Cartoon of a boy with a teacher. The boy says, "Recess was okay, but I need a moment of quiet reflection."

Yesterday was a big day for me. I turned off the phone and I was in silence for most of it. At my wife’s suggestion, I read a book entitled, Invitation to Solitude and Silence, by Ruth Haley Barton.

I know! It was crazy. But what I feared the most actually was one of the richest days I’ve had in a long time.

It came after a busy couple of days. My wife is out of town. I went down to Florida to help him drive his car back to Indiana. And I know work will busy this morning after being out for a day.

I realize silence is a luxury these days. Our television, phones and life’s demands make it almost impossible to find some time for reflection. Yet it is so needed. We all need it.

We all need some time to meditate. We all need some time to consider where we’ve been, where we are and where we are heading. Since I am a Christian, it is even valuable for me to hear the still, small voice of God. 

So this morning, it is back to the workweek. I know I will have plenty to do, as I am sure all of you will too. Through it all, I encourage you to take some time to be silent. Even if it is five minutes during the day, It will do your soul some good.

Cartoon of a boy with a teacher. The boy says, "Recess was okay, but I need a moment of quiet reflection."
Categories
family

All the Sordid Details

Cartoon of a boy with a laptop. He says to his mom, "I'm writing a blog. Does your family or Dad's have all the sordid details?"

I had the privilege to ride with my father for the previous two days. We talked about various things from politics, to crazy drivers, to advice about finishing life’s race well.

No, there we didn’t discuss sordid details. Oh, and I know there are unsavory stories from the past, but we didn’t discuss them. Every family has skeletons in the closet. If you are interested in genealogy at all, you’ll soon find them.

One of the many lessons I’ve learned from my parents over the years is to stay positive. Whenever I would get down, my mother was there to say, “Keep looking up!” Whenever I would say something unkind, she would recite, “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another.“ You can’t do too much mudslinging, insulting and roasting with that reminder.

So that’s why I take the opposite approach to the boy in my cartoon. I’ve had two great examples that have reminded me there is a much more excellent way to speak than to air someone’s dirty laundry.

Cartoon of a boy at a computer. He says to his mom, "I'm writing a blog. Does your family or Dad's have the most sordid details?"