A Phone Message

#WackyWednesday

“To pay attention, this is our endless and proper work.” ― Mary Oliver

An answering machine that just might be real in our dreams. In honor of school letting out early today in our local school district.



Did that just happen?

Stay inspired my friends!

One Ringy-Dingy, Two Ringy-Dingy

"Do you realize if it weren't for Edison we'd be watching TV by candlelight?"
- Al Boliska

Here is something to think about.

On March 12, 1889, Almon B. Strowger entered the U.S. Patent Office in order to file a patent for his invention called the Automatic Telephone System. The first place this device was installed was in Laporte, Indiana, in 1892. It worked, but not as good as it should have. Alexander Bell’s invention was deemed much more reliable and became the standard for all early phones.

Good thing it did or we would have been complaining about Ma Strowger and not Ma Bell.

Just something to think about.

Stay inspired my friends!

As Time Goes

"Time goes, you say? Ah no! Alas, Time stays, we go." ~Henry Austin Dobson

Not too long ago my wife and I decided to have breakfast at a local Cracker Barrel restaurant. It was a nice breakfast for two as we were winding down from a busy weekend. As we sat there, I looked at all of the old tools and signs that adorned the walls. Each of them were gentle reminders of times long past.

The various items tend to keep the eyes busy as one waits for their meal to arrive. These items also spark discussion over just what this or that particular tool or item was. You can also reminisce about a sign advertising "Old Virginia Cheroots" cigars wondering where the magic of those times went.

As I looked around, something struck me about the pictures on the walls. There were old pictures of people posing for portraits or family photos. I had to wonder what these people may wonder about their personal photos being displayed in a modern day restaurant. Would they object, would they have ever thought they would end up in a restaurant? Will we object when all of our Facebook pictures are used in the same manner many years from now.

I also began to wonder what the story was behind each of the family photographs. How did each of them come to have their photograph taken, for what occassion and how they ended up lost to a restaurant chain.

I then noticed an old crank phone on one wall under one of the numerous photos.

What if I could pick up that old phone and place a call into the past. Would those people in the photographs answer, would they even want to speak with me once they heard my wild story from the future? If they didn't think I was completely crazy, how wonderful would their story be that they could tell. It would be a story of their life and experience which would fill a book.

The problem is that I can not dial up the past. I can only look at their photographs and wonder. I can imagine what the story of their lives were, growing to an old age and believe that they experienced a great life.

I can also imagine the same for myself.

You can imagine the same for your life.

We can live a great life and end up on a wall as a photograph in some distant future. Those future viewers of our pictures will reveal the same thing, that we lived a wondrous life. Our pictures will reveal to them that life can be great. Our future viewers will feel better about themselves, as you can right here and now.

Believe in and have a great life. Also, stay inspired my friends.

Wish Upon a Do-Over

"Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh, the thinks you can think up if only you try!" -Dr. Seuss

I have to think there are days we wish a do-over was possible. Especially after those moments when we do something in a selfish manner. Those moments that erupt into something bigger and our little selfish action impacts many others.

Take for instance the recent news story involving two flight attendants. From a passenger perspective, it was going to be a typical 1 hour and 20 minute flight from New York to Washington, DC. American Airlines Flight 3823, set to leave at 3:10 p.m. tells me that there were probably folks heading home. All they wanted to do was have a short flight and possibly get home in time for dinner.

But as the plane was moving along the tarmac, one flight attendant was still on her cell phone. I am not sure if she was speaking to her mother, brother or lover. Yet anyone that has flown knows that cell phones are to be in the "off" position once the boarding doors have closed. What can be assumed is that self-importance probably got in the way of her decision to keep using the cell phone.

The story gets better, "tongue firmly in cheek."

Her co-worker was preparing passengers and plane for the impending take-off. You have likely heard the announcement, "At this time, make sure your seat backs and tray tables are in their full upright position. Also make sure your seat belt is correctly fastened. Also, we advise you that as of this moment, any electronic equipment must be turned off. Thank you.”

To make her point and without fully thinking through the consequences, the second flight attendant added the comment “including the other flight attendant.” A momentary lapse of judgement, directing comments at her co-worker in front of everyone, without thinking first. Selfish in thought one could say.

Of course her comment didn’t go over well with the flight attendant on the cell phone. The cockpit crew realized there was an argument between the two and travelers were told they’d be returning to the gate “because the flight attendants couldn’t work with each other." Passengers then had to wait nearly four hours while American Airlines went about locating another flight attendant crew...so much for dinner at home.

We can wish for a do-over.

I have to believe that both flight attendants will be disciplined in some manner. I also have to believe each would have acted differently if they were given a do-over. The reality is that we never get the do-over. We only get to learn from our mistakes, missed opportunities and failures. The do-over is really the "thing we learn" from the experience.

Would you really need to be on that cell phone when you have other responsibilites to take care of? Would you really call out a co-worker in front of others just to embarass them? Would you think before you act?

The do-over we get in life is learning from the mistake, failure or bad decision and then proceeding forward. Proceeding forward smarter and as a better person because of the experience.

Put down your cell phone, think before you act and stay inspired my friends.