ARE YOU AND YOUR COMPUTER BEST FRIENDS

By Vernalee

Who is your best friend?

Brace yourself. Your answer will probably not be as long as the far stretching Mississippi River. Alright, I will admit and have been told that sometimes, I can be somewhat dramatic and theatrical. I try to keep my feet on solid ground, but occasionally I’m put to the test .. like when I recently read an anonymously posted comment that brought me down to earth. It went like this: “Basically my computer is always there for me and so is the internet. They are without a doubt my two best friends. I mean I have human friends…but I don’t hang out with them as much as I do with my computer and they can’t be with me when I travel. I’m also pretty sure I have a computer addiction.” Like a fishing rod, I was reeled back to reality. Just when you think that you have heard it all, someone comes up with a comment that makes your over the edge tendencies appear minuscule. At first glance, this posted comment seemed strange. So much for normalcy; it can become a castaway quickly. I reflected for a moment. Do know this! I am as gregarious as they come. I love the human touch and interacting with people of all races, creeds, and colors. I love my friends and we stick by each other through “thick and thin.” I wouldn’t trade my few treasured friends for anything. Truly I wouldn’t! Things can change so spontaneously sometimes. It did with me. Allow me to elaborate. Last week, I misplaced my phone for a few minutes. I became an instant dummy because I couldn’t remember any telephone numbers. They were conveniently stored in my cell phone. I couldn’t communicate with the world. I was temporarily stalemated. It was at this point that I realized how chummy we (my computer, cell phone, and I) had become. I click those keys continuously. I have become a reliant dependent – technologically. Here’s another confession unknown but to a selected few. My iPad sleeps in bed next to me; an inert paramour of sorts. As it lays on my fluffy pillow, it helps me stay current on world affairs and rapidly respond to my emails/text messages – in real time. I love my technological pals. I feel lost without them by my side; lonely to be exact! I even feel naked … no exaggeration; well maybe a little! For the record, and as an aside, I love my precious human friends; they love me. No doubt about it! We share and have shared so many emotions, feelings, and have experienced wonderful cherished moments together. We regularly converse (often times via texts/emails), take trips together, and tell jokes that aren’t funny and stories that are much too long. We have secrets that can never be told. Hmm… Oh my … The same is true for my computer! I just realized that revealing coincidence. My best friends and my computer – the nexus is too uncanny! They know it all! Don’t laugh. It’s probably true for you too!

I'M NOT JUMPING THROUGH HOOPS ANYMORE

By Vernalee

Listen up! I'm not jumping through hoops anymore ... for anyone who will not do it for me! You heard it right! That's my position and I'm sticking to it! After years of adjustments, finally I am comfortable in my own skin! Yippee!

Over the years, I‘ve considerably learned a thing or two about hoops. Some days, I didn’t make the winning shots, but I kept practicing. Playing ball “one on one“ can be a strengthening tool. Practice makes perfect! It helps you to sharpen your skill set and to outwit your opponent. LeBron James told me that! Yes, we can learn from younger folks; kids even. In fact, those daily drills perfected my proficiency level to a "tee." I even learned to dribble the ball behind my back while demonstrating stellar footwork and showmanship. Imagine that! Alright, I’ll stop with the comparative analogies and far reaching sports jargon. All kidding aside, I had to learn to play the game; the business game, that is. It was not instinctively a natural process. Without fail, I worked hard practicing my craft every day. It wasn’t easy.

I had to ”toughen up” to make ends meet. I was not alone, many others had to do the same!

To survive, I could no longer be a “softie.” Tough skin was/is necessary. Yes, that’s right. I grew! I learned! I made the necessary changes! Along with that came purification. Those who were deterrents and not helping companions had to go! Shedding dead weight (i.e. the wrong people) makes your load lighter. As their noncontributory moves were casted aside, my realignments became assets on my side of the ledger. Sure, I'm still playing ball. I’m still at it! I earned the right to call the shots!

The rules haven't changed, but I have! Swish! Nothing but nets!

Photo credit: www.fvectorstock.com

FIGHT FIRE WITH FIRE

By Vernalee

Has this ever happened to you? Have you for unforeseen reasons been attacked? The blows though unmerited came out of no where! When and if that happens, what do you do? Do you avoid the fight and controversy or do you prepare to face a potential attack from the enemy. Certainly, a fight is not the optimal choice. Avoidance is best. Some things are not worth the time or effort. Walking away may be the perfect course. However if a battle cannot be avoided, “fight strategically.“ The first strategic move is to size up and outsmart your opponent. When you walk on the front line, your survival will always depend upon your quick thinking, smartness, preparation, and strategic tactics superseding those of your opponent. Battles are draining; particularly mentally. Please know that these references do not refer to physical fights. My Daddy told me as a teenager, “Smart girls don’t fight!” What invaluable advice! Thus the lesson here is this.

You are much too smart to engage in physical violence of any type. Out thinking your opponent (I.e. a mental beat down) always beats physical force. Be smart; stay prepared! Be a winner with your mind not your fist. That is how you fight fire with fire! Photo Credit: www.nclitigation.com