Why is that we expend so much energy trying shape people into the mold in which we think they should fit? In fact for that matter, why do we periodically put forth similar amounts of energy trying to become someone other than ourselves? We are not going to change another human being’s basic personality, so we might as well give up trying to shape him into our image! It is equally foolish for us to try to be someone we…
I am not a Lindsay Lohan fan. Actually that is not entirely true. I am not a fan of glorifying bad behavior. The media has chosen to give Lohan’s poor behavior choices lots of attention. She is presently serving a 90 day sentence that will likely be reduced, due to overcrowding in the detention facility. I deal with people who are on their way to being incarcerated every single week for offenses similar to the ones Lohan has committed. It…
On the golf course, I have always been of the mind that if I could just try that shot one more time, that I would get it right during the second go around. Of course in a real match there are no “Mulligans” off the tee box and certainly not during play on the hole. An explanation is really in order. “Mulligans” or “Mullies” as they are sometimes called are “do over shots” in a golf game. In a friendly…
Not long after the final round of the British Open, a golf commentator made this observation about Tiger Wood’s decision to change putters during the middle of the tournament. His quote sounded somewhat like the lyrics from a U-2 song. Here is what he said: Tiger Woods has left more talent residue on his putter grip (whichever putter he is using) than most of us have in our entire bodies. But when things go wrong, he does what we all…
I have never been a big fan of Waffle House Restaurants. Comedian Jim Gaffigan says in one of his stand up routines that if you can imagine a gas station bathroom that sells waffles, then you have been to a Waffle House. Unfortunately that image has remained imprinted on my mind for some odd reason. Waffle House has never been my first choice for a breakfast stop on the road. But yesterday was a notable exception. I had to be…
My traditional Southern mother had a few key vocabulary words that she used on a very regular basis. They were terms that Scarlett O’hara herself no doubt employed. The consistent use of such terminology was a reflection of Southern culture and values. One of those frequently used terms was: impose. Sometimes the noun form imposition was utilized. My mother did not want to impose on anyone. She did want our family to be an imposition. She never asked friends to…
I recently listed of my all time favorite movies. I like so many movies that I had to formulate categories in order for the list to be more meaningful. Mr. Holland’s Opus is an all time favorite that falls in my classic category. When I was teaching as an adjunct university instructor, I used to watch that movie just before each semester began as a reminder of what I was really supposed be doing. In an early scene in the…
Does anyone care? Everyday individuals in people helping professions of all kinds are going the extra mile to make a difference. Teachers put in all kinds of extra hours to help one struggling student. Nurses take the time to listen to a patient, who is lonely and scared. Firefighters and paramedics keep their skills sharp, so they can be prepared to take care of a person’s immediate medical concerns in the field. And then there are police officers. No one…
I must confess. I am careless. I leave my keys in a variety of nooks and crannies in our home previously unknown to mankind, so when it comes time to leave the house I am in deep trouble. Where did I put those keys? I leave things at the office that should go home. And I leave things at home that should be at the office. I lose grocery lists before arriving at Walmart. Our church treasurer tracks me down…
I have been thinking about the upcoming memorial service honoring the deceased members of Lubbock Monterey High School’s Class of 1980. It will be held on the campus of our alma mater during the 30 year reunion weekend this month. Lots of thoughts have rolled through my head regarding this event. Specific people come to mind. And I have been pondering the circumstances of some of the deaths that have occurred. And for some crazy reason, I keep thinking about…