What are we really bringing home with us?

In this “For Better or For Worse” comic by Lynn Johnston updated: 09/27/2010, Lynn has young Michael, snuffling and sniffing in the first Panel. Then in the second Panel, Lynn has his younger sister, hacking, coughing, sneezing & wheezing. While in the third panel, his mother is also honking her nose, coughing and sneezing. Then in the final panel, Mike’s father, sitting comfortably in his chair reading the paper, turns to his son and says, “Hi Mike! – Bring anything home from School lately?”
It is interesting, isn’t it; how often, we bring home things that we had no intention of bringing home in the first instance? I remember once bringing home some water weeds from an Aquarian and not long after wondering where this invasion of little snails came from! Fortunately I found that my Goldfish loved them, so putting a goldfish in my Tropical tank solved that problem for me. Unfortunately some problems are not that easy to fix are they? And some, like influenza and Colds, just have to go their course, which is why we should all be careful of not only what we bring home with us, but also with what we also take out with us too! Whether to school or work!
As it is wintertime here where I write, it is a good lesson to remember isn’t it? Whilst we all like to get back to work as quick as we can, or even not miss any more pay days than we have to, we should also be sensitive to the wellbeing of others too, and not go back to work or school, until we are also well enough not to pass it onto others! Again we don’t like it when others pass their illnesses on to us, so let’s also not be guilty of the same thing too! What say you?

Same Pants, Wrong Leg.

In this “For Better or For Worse” comic Strip by Lynn Johnston from 2009, she has the mother paying for her Groceries at the Supermarket check-out, when she suddenly notices that her young daughter is not with her, and frantically yells out, “LIZZIE? LIZZIE, where are you?”
Next, you see Lizzie holding on happily to a pair of legs in Blue Jeans, next to another set of legs in Blue jeans! Just then Lizzie looks up to find that those legs she is holding, doesn’t belong to mum at all, but to a strange man. So she lets out a “Shriek” of her own. At which point, the man picks her up and hands her to her mother saying, “Same Jeans … wrong leg!”
Ever had that happen to you or one of your loved ones? I have. When our oldest was about four we went on a ferry ride to French Island, and then on a Bus tour around the Island, and once while stopping at an old disused Chicory Kiln, had a similar experience where she cottoned onto the same colour jeans but the wrong leg, with the same shrieking result.
So you see, it is easy enough to do with people, but what about now with your life? Yes, how are you going now with your life? Are you really holding on to the right leg? Or do you find yourself holding a similar looking one, but just not the right one?
Some have this problem with God and their spiritual lives too! They think they are holding onto the right one true God, because what they are holding onto, looks like God at a distance, but when they really look up, they find it is not God at all, but someone or something else.
So as we close today, are you really holding on to the one true God today or just something that at a distance at least looks like God?
If you would like to discuss this further, please contact me. Thanks.

Is it gossip or Human Interest stories that you share?

In this “For Better or For Worse” comic Strip by Lynn Johnston, from May 2009, she has two ladies sitting at the table chatting over a cup of Coffee. One, Anne says, “So, how’s Connie these days? Still depressed? Still manhunting? “Her friend Ely replies sharply, “Well, Anne – Connie is a close friend and I could never talk about her behind her back. I hate gossip! I refuse to be a Gossip! Then concludes chirpily, “But if you call it human interest, I’ll tell you everything!”
Now there are some things in the name of human interest that one can and sometimes even should, share with the appropriate people. Yes, Human interest is one thing, but gossip is another and none of us, whether Christian or non-Christian, should be involved in spreading Gossip let alone making it up.
So today’s reflection for you, is for you to ask and answer the question of how much of what you say is really Human Interest, as opposed to gossip of any form, shape or size, no matter what you now call it? Again over to you for your reflection please.

Is that the message you really want to send?

In this “For Better or For Worse” comic Strip by Lynn Johnston, from January 2010, Lynn has two men, Ted and John, walking in the snow, chatting. Ted says, “Got anything for the wife yet John?” To which John replies, “No’’’ But I have some ideas.” To which Ted queries, “Diamonds? Pearls?” To which he is rebuffed with, “Nah. Elly’s far too practical for that stuff, Ted.” Then adds, “I’m thinking Food Sealer. You know, one of those wrapping gadgets that cover leftovers with plastic.” To which Ted says quietly, “Right…’ Before sharply adding, “And every time she looks at vegetables, she’ll think of you.”
Can’t say I always agree with Ted but on this one he is pretty close to the mark. That said, apart from an engagement ring, I can’t say I have ever bought her Diamonds or pearls, some Opals, but no pearls! Although I did offer to buy her Tahitian Pearls, when we were there a couple of years back, to which she refused saying she would never wear them.
Anyway, what this cartoon and I are saying is that when you buy something for your spouse or loved ones, put some real thought into it and give something that will induce positive and happy memories whenever they use it! Again, while it can sometimes be something practical, it also needs to be something that when they use it, they will think favourably of you.
Sometimes it may be something rather impractical like Diamonds, and at other time’s it may be something practical, like a home appliance. The secret is knowing when either is appropriate and when it isn’t?
So as we close now, what message are you sending out in the gifts you give? Is it all about the recipient of the gift? Or is it more about you, as the giver? Over to you for your thoughts now.

I Did It All By Myself.

In this 2009, “For Better or For Worse” comic Strip by Lynn Johnston, we have three panels with no dialogue. Simply a young boy of 5 or 6, coming out of his house door; with his mother peeping through a window. Then he is walking blithely down the street; with his mother’s head peeping out from behind a tree. Then we have him walking up to another house happily; with yet again his mother peeping from behind a bush. Then in the final panel, we have this dialogue to his young friend: “Guess what Lawrence… My mum let me walk all the way here by myself." And there, right at the bottom of the panel, is mum collapsed in a heap from worry and just glad he got there safe.
Ever felt like you had to do similar? I did and have. Many moons ago, back in the day when we had an afternoon paper, I was in the habit after work of going down to the local Milk Bar, about 400 metres, actually yards in those days, which would also be little shorter than 400 metres!
Regardless, I used to walk a short distance to the local milk bar with the Dog and my two oldest children. But this day we were expecting a visitor for tea and I was concluding that I didn’t really have time to go get a paper then, when my son, about 5 then, volunteered to go down the street and get it himself and even take the dog with him, as he knew what to do as he always accompanied me when I went.
Not too happy about that, but not wanting to dampen his enthusiasm, I let him go and so off happily he went with good old Daisy to get my paper for me by himself. However I was also like the mother in this cartoon and followed him behind. Actually our visitor arrived just then, so both of us followed behind out of sight, while he bought the newspaper without much trouble.
In fact what trouble he did have, was caused by me just when he came out of the shop and was untying the dog, and she caught either sight or smell of me, and wanted to come to me, so I had to beat a hasty retreat while he regained control of her and returned happily home, proud that he had done it all by himself.
Funnily enough after having done it the once, he never volunteered to do it again for quite some time for which I was also very happy then. But now wonder why I can’t get him to go down the street and get a paper for me some quarter of a century later!
Anyway, the point of today’s ramblings is, that sometimes we have to let our children and even our colleges, have a go at things, even if we don’t think they are quite ready, so as not to dampen their enthusiasm . Of course, as in the two above examples, that doesn’t mean we should always leave them completely unsupervised, but that we should supervise them in such a way that they can both do it all by themselves, but also have help on hand if needed!
So as we close now, is their anyone you need to allow the space and opportunity to allow them to find out whether they really can do it all by themselves yet? Again over to you now.

He who winds up must …

In this “For Better or For Worse” comic Strip by Lynn Johnston, updated: 12/19/2009, we have the wife’s brother on the couch playing wild games with his young niece and nephew, and the scene opens with him (Phil) saying, “ That’s enough! – I can’t play anymore! It’s time for BED!” He then turns to his sister and says, “Elly, what’s with these kids?!”. Elly replies, “You got them all excited Phil. You chased them all around the house and now they are all wound up! Phil replies, “ I was just trying to tire them out! “ And Elly replies. “ Nope. Doesn’t work. You wound them up … Now you have to unwind them!” The scene ends up with Phil left with the two kids muttering, “ I’ll never understand what makes kid’s tick!”
Me neither, but it is "the winding up and unwinding" that attracted me here. How often do we set out to do something, always of course with nothing but the best intentions, (like Phil trying to tire the kids out), only to have it back fire on us (like in this illustration) and then we try to fob off the results and responsibilities of cleaning up after us, on to someone else. Who, usually, (like Phil’s sister here) refuses to accept our mess and makes us deal with the consequences? Something we never want to do, hey? Hence it is always a good idea to make sure before we start anything new to us, that we really know what we are a doing, and that what we are doing will achieve what we are trying to achieve, shouldn’t we? And if we don’t know, then we should ask the experts, or at least those who have experience in that field, for their advice before starting, shouldn’t we?
Well, I will leave that thought with now, for you to reflect on and maybe even implement next time you do something that you’re new or inexperienced at?

Do we really want to remember?

This “For Better or For Worse by Lynn Johnston, (Updated 25/9/2010) instigated my memory of the past too. In this strip, it opens with the mother in the Supermarket with her trolley and her toddler daughter and holding a carton of Milk. “ She says, “ Look at this price Elizabeth! – I remember when milk was 50c a quart!” She then goes on to say, “ I remember when bread was $1.28 a loaf and Chicken was $1.45 a pound.” At which point an old, old bald gentleman taps her on the arm and simply says, “Don’t ask me what I remember!”
Yes no matter what we remember, others can also remember ever further back too.
I can’t say I remember when milk was 50c a quart, but at least I can remember what a quart was, and when milk was in bottles too! (Even if only one pint Bottles!) My children in their 20’s & 30’s, wouldn’t, having never growing up with them. Nor with Pounds and ounces either for that matter. So my point here, is that we have to stop living in the past and go on into the future, whilst being happy here in the present.
True, things were cheaper in the past. I remember when the Herald newspaper cost 3 pence. Now the Herald Sun costs $1.10 weekdays; and more over the weekend! Of course, things were cheaper then, but what we also forget is that our wages were a whole lot less then too. As said, when I first started working, a newspaper was only 3 pennies. But my first full wage was only 6 Pounds Australian! That was the week before Feb.14 1966; I remember that date only because on that date, Australia went from Pounds, shillings and pence, To Dollars and cents. Thus my next pay was not now 6 pounds, but 12 Dollars. No I didn’t get a pay rise, that was the then current conversion rate.
Imagine that, working a 40-hour week for 12 dollars. You couldn’t get away legally with paying that for an hours wage now! So yes things were cheaper then, but so was our buying power too. Of course we have so much more now to spend our money on don’t we? And that is where our real problems lie, isn’t it? Not on how much things cost now, verses then, but on what, like food are real necessities, and what, like fast food and fancy phones, CD’s etc, are actually unnecessary luxuries, that we have made necessities.
So let us all look, not back at the prices 10 or 20 years ago, but let us look hard and close on what we are currently spending our money on now, and whether they are really necessities or just desired luxuries?
Not that there is anything wrong with a few luxuries, but do let us get our priorities right first! Okay?

But Who Else Is Listening?

In this “For Better or For Worse” comic Strip by Lynn Johnston, (17/1/2009), it has two boys playing in the snow, and one says to the other: ”I was just fooling around Mike. You don’t have to be That mad.” “ I was just teasing you! Deanna probably doesn’t even know what I said!” To which mike replies: “HMPH.” To which the other continues on with: “When I said you liked her, she never did anything! She prob’ly didn’t even hear me!!” To which Mike angrily replies: “ Oh yeah?” Well everyone else did!!!” To which the scene pans to 3 other children nearby laughing their heads off!
This just reminds us that we need to be both careful about what we do say and where we say it. For there always seems to be an inappropriate audience, when we share things when and where we shouldn’t.
So today’s lesion is for each of us be both careful of what we do say and where we say it too!

Are you real mean too?

In this “For Better or For Worse” comic Strip by Lynn Johnston, UPDATED: 02/22/2010, it has the young boy pleading with his mother: “Aw, does it have to be Brenda? I want Charlene to babysit, Ma – Please?” “Charlene’s neat ma –an’ Brenda’s MEAN! REAL MEAN.” And finally he finishes to himself: “Brenda makes us go to bed on time!”
Funny how we often make strong judgements on how people treat us, whether it is right or wrong? And even though others might be doing the right thing and often as in this case, the thing that is best, for us, we often refuse to see that and consider them Mean, like poor Brenda in this Cartoon.
So today’s question is, who is it around you now that you currently think are mean? And are they really? Or is it you, like the young boy in the cartoon, the real mean and selfish one? Again just something for you to think about and maybe even do something about it, if felt led in that direction.

All your own choosing?

In this “For Better or For Worse” comic Strip by Lynn Johnston, (15/12/2009) it has two men in a shop. One, a bachelor guiding the married man in buying a present for his wife.
The conversation goes: B. “A pearl necklace would be perfect” H. “Are you sure?” B. “Absolutely”. Get her something simple and elegant. That one for instance, is quite lovely.’ Turning to the salesman the bachelor, says: “Yes, that will do nicely. Can you gift wrap it for my friend, please?" Sales man: “My pleasure.” The S.M. then turns to the husband and says: “Your package sir.” H. “Um … thank you”. Then, as they are outside the shop and going home the bachelor states, “Trust me John. Elly will be thrilled that you chose and wrapped something like this yourself!”
Ever find yourself in a similar situation? A situation where it seems like you are in charge, but in reality, someone else, often with no real experience to your own situation, is really pulling the strings?
True sometimes this can be quite helpful and appreciated and even right. But many times it can also be unhelpful misguided and totally wrong.
Oft times what is right and appropriate for one person’s situation is totally wrong or inappropriate in another, isn’t it? Just something to also think about when offering help too, isn’t it?

Are You Hypocritical Too At Times?

This is another blog inspired by a “For Better or For Worse” comic Strip by Lynn Johnston. This one has the young son counting his haul of Candy after Halloween night. (“7 Gumballs, 3 Toffee bars, 1 Bag Cheeze –o’s, 30 jelly beans …”, when his father who is a Dentist comes in and says, “ Unbelievable! Just look at all that awful Junk and goes into a rant saying, “ As a Dentist, I should make a formal complaint about all the candy that’s consumed on Halloween!!!”
Meanwhile his young son is unperturbed and keeps counting His goodies, “! Minty stick, 1 bag of Liquorice loops, 1 bag of popcorn balls…”, as his father keeps ranting about the damage of junk food high in sugar, and then the son makes a discovery. “Hey just a minute.. Then after a bit of frantic searching comes the anguished cry, “ I ha d2 whoopee bars, they’re GONE!”
At which point the father becomes very silent and red faced! Yes despite his rants against Junk food Candy, he too had no real problems of eating it despite his professional knowledge beliefs and rants.
How about you and me? Are we too sometimes like that? No something is wrong, even if just in the excess of off, and even warn others even strongly of the dangers, but still continue to indulge in that hurtful or unhelpful deed? What say you now?

Are You Too Enthusiastic At Times?

This older “For Better or For Worse” comic Strip by Lynn Johnston, has the young son encouraging his younger sister to walk unassisted and is gently and quietly encouraging her and when she succeeds, He screams out at the Top of his voice, “MUM! LIZZIE’S WALKING!”
At the sound of this “noise” Lizzie gets frightened and falls over and won’t try again, much to the dismay of all concerned when mum duly arrives.
Do you and I also see that happening sometimes when we are trying to help people or things along? Everything starts of fine, but instead of going slowly and even withdrawing quietly from the scene when success starts to come, we try and make a big fuss of things and push them along faster than either nature or they are comfortable with, and hence the whole thing often collapses in a heap like this child did on the floor when distracted by the noise of her brother’s enthusiasm.
Again, is there currently some situation now, where you have been helping out quietly and that you now want to shout about, when in fact, you should just withdraw quietly and leave them to go about their business, unhindered by your enthusiasm, thus allowing them to build up their own confidence and ultimately, their own enthusiasm? Again what say you?

Are you really that desperate?

This “For Better or For Worse” comic Strip from 7/2/09, by Lynn Johnston has the wife’s best friend busy at the computer tapping away. Then we read her thought bubbles, which say: “Lonely divorcee, age 35, one child, seeks companionship…”
“No! Make that: Sincere single woman with child seeks relationship with…”
“AAGH! It’s no use!! I’ll probably attract some crazy NUTCASE!” Now had she stopped there, it would have been fine, but the final panel ends with her continuing to tap away at the computer saying: “Then again… A weird relationship might be better than nothing!”
Now you will know from my previous blog, Are you this type of Friend? “ that her friend talks her out of posting this letter, but have you ever felt like this? So desperate for something that you will be tempted and strongly tempted to do what you know is the wrong thing, but are still prepared to do so, because of your perceived desperation?
If so, stop for a while and really think about what you do have. Sometimes in cases like this, one focuses on what they don’t have, forgetting all that they do have, and often things that others would just love to have.
Now I know that this is just a cartoon character, but as yesterday’s blog pointed out, she really wasn’t that badly off. She had a great kid, a great job, a home of her own and stability. She had all these good things but had forgotten them in her obsession for something else.
Again this is only a comic strip, but what about you in real life? Have you also become obsessed with what you don’t have and forgotten all the Good things you do have? The good things that many others would just love to have!
So today, don’t focus on what you don’t have but focus on and appreciate that which you do have.

Are you this type of Friend?

In this “For Better or For Worse” comic Strip from 10/2/09 by Lynn Johnston, the wife is reading a letter handed to her by her best friend and responds, “Don’t tell me you were actually going to put an ad in the personal column!”
“Connie, this is just too much! Your need for someone has become an obsession!”
“You’re got a great kid, a great job, and I think you’ve been acting like an idiot”.
Wow! How do you think you would react if your best friend spoke like that to you? Well, let’s see how the comic strip ends, shall we? There in the last panel it has Connie reply with her hand on her friends shoulder saying:” Thanks El… I knew I could count on you to say the right thing.”
What El said to her friend was tough but true, and sometimes we just have take a deep breath and speak up when we see people about to do something stupid and seeking our council.
I am not saying here that we should become busybodies with an opinion on every subject, but at times and especially when it is brought to our attention, we may need to risk our friendships and maybe even our reputations by being called busybodies, to say what is right, and what is needed. Needed to be said and needed to be heard! What say you?

Think before You Speak.

This “For Better Or For Worse” Cartoon Strip by Lynn Johnson from July 13, has the mother “out gardening when her Boy comes up and asks, “Can I play in the Sprinkler, MOM.” To which she replies, “No!” He then replies, “But it’s hot out and I’m not sick or anything! “To which his mother replies sternly, “ I said NO!” To which he replies, “ That’s not fair! There’s’ no reason why I can’t play in the sprinkler!’ Then in the final frame we see the mother's thought bubble: “I know …but once you’ve said no … you've got to save face.”
Now I don’t actually agree that she has to save face, but I do agree that once you have made a decision, you do have to stick with that, no matter how uncomfortably it makes you. Unless it is either immoral or illegal.
However getting back to the above illustration I think that there are two clear and distinct lessons to be learned from it. One for each party.
Firstly, the Boy put up a good argument at the end, but sadly He left all his pertinent points until after the answer was no.
So from this we should learn to marshal all pertinent and relevant facts before hand, and present them upfront, and not wait until after the decision has been made.
And secondly we learn form the mother not to be too hasty in rejecting a request, just because it’s timing is inopportune or its presentation is initially lacking in content.
So please think before you speak! Whether it is to ask for something, or whether it is too respond to any such requests, or for any other matter too!
Now of course if one of my children were to ask me that today, I would also say no! Not just because they are adults and would look funny running in and out of a sprinkler! But because we have severe water restrictions and can only run a hose for 2 hours, twice a week! Even now in our Winter/spring!

What Constitutes a successful Day For You?

This “For Better Or For Worse” Cartoon Strip by Lynn Johnson from July 25, has a series of panels where the mother is busy playing, looking after and cooking for her children. Then there is a panel of her tucking her son into bed and saying to her, “ Well, I’d say it’s been a very successful day.” Then in the final panel she adds tiredly, “…The kids wore out before I did!!!”
Is that how you too are currently assessing a successful day? That things or other people, wear out before you do?
Or are you really on top of things, and rather than always running after others, are you able to get on top of things first and then work to some sort of plan, (even a very rough one) where you can run things to some sort of organization and desired end result, other than where someone (whether you or them) simply wears out first?
Yes what do you need to change either in your life, your planning or your application that you need to work on now? Your thoughts please?

From where do you draw your Incentive?

In this carton from “For better or for worse” by Lynn Johnston, we see the wife sitting on the couch in a daze with her young son standing near her, and her house a complete mess, with fingerprints and ice-cream on the wall and everything out of place! To which she announces: “ I don’t want to clean up this place … It’s a dump … but I have no incentive.” In the next scene she is on the phone dialling a number and her son asks, “Whatcha doin”, Mom?” To which she replies, “Inviting someone critical over for dinner …”
So how do you draw incentive when there is none? Do you just ignore the situation and wallow in it? Or do you, like our character here, do something positive and create incentive where there is none?
So if, like our character above, you are feeling down in the dumps today with no incentive, don’t stay there, and please, definitely don’t moan and complain to others about it, but get up and do something positive about it, even if you have to create the incentive yourself!
What say you now?

Fancy Foods Vs Simple Tastes.

This “For Better Or For Worse” Cartoon Strip by Lynn Johnson from July 8 has the Husband and wife discussing food issues as she places a bowl of fruit on the Bench and then feeds the Dog.
He says, “ Look, it’s not that I don’t appreciate fancy dishes! I like simple food, that’s all! I could probably eat the same thing every day! Surely there are others like me!”
At this point the strip ends with the dog hoeing into his doggy food like only dogs can do!
Leaving aside the obvious connotation that plain food is no better than dog food; I have to basically agree with the husband. Although it is true that one would quickly get sick of just the one variety of food very quickly, there is nothing wrong with simple foods.
Yes fancy dishes often look nice, but do nothing to fill you up or sustain you. And sometimes they just taste terrible. (Even if they only taste bad to you and not others!) Some people love fish! So do I when they are swimming around my Fish tanks or pond. I will admit that I do not mind a piece of Grilled Flake anytime I have it, and occasionally even Fish Fingers, but most other fish tastes off to me. I’m not overly fond of Chicken either but give me a Roast any day with Pork lamb or Beef and I’m yours. So you can see I stand largely with the husband depicted above. Where do you stand on the great food divide? Fancy or Plain?
I understand and even appreciate the fact that a lot of time and effort and even love that often goes into producing this fancy food, But would prefer that time, love and effort be transferred to something that will be both pretty and pretty darn nice for me too. (If in fact it is being primarily produced for me!) Again what say you?

Which End Are You At?

Another from the “For Better Or Worse” cartoon strip. This time from July 2nd. This one has two little boys playing with a big furry dog. One at each end!
And one says,” Sniff? Bleah! What is that? The other says, “I don’t know!” The first says, “Gross! Get him away from me!! I’m gonna BARF! I’m gonna HURL!” To which the second Boy says, “ Lawrence… It’s not that bad!!! To which Lawrence replies, “ That’s cause you’re sniffing the wrong end!!!”
How like real life is that? Each of us often has a different opinion, (whether to the good or bad,) than another, all because of which end of things we are currently at, at any particular time.
So today’s lesson is, whenever you have doubts about another’s opinion, change ends with them for a while and see, or in this case experience, things from their end!

The Net verses the personal approach.

In the “between Friends” comic strip in the Melbourne Herald Sun on May 14th was this fascinating insight into how the Net is taking over in some people’s thinking. In previous strips the lead character Susan has been trying to get her friend Mauve to join Face book. Mauve has been actively resisting these approaches.
In this strip, they are both sitting on a park bench drinking a coffee, and Susan says to Mauve, “ If you set up a Face book page, we could check up on each other and see what’s happening in our lives!” To which Mauve replies brightly, “Wow… that would be a Bonus …’ then goes on to say, “…Then we wouldn’t have to actually meet and bother with personal interaction!”
Of course the response was sarcastic and meant to be so. But how often do we let the time and energy spent on modern technology and especially the Net, to interfere with our already existing personal interactions? Don’t get me wrong here, as I am all in favour of modern technology and especially e-mail. I am also on Face book too, (even if I rarely use it) and do recognise it has some benefits, but it is still meant to be a tool to help us in personal interactions, and not take the place of personal interaction, all because we spent too much time on it. What say you?