352 or 349
It has been a wonderful weekend. I have enjoyed spending time with family. I don't know how productive we have been, but it has been nice to spend time none the less.
Yes, we did get up bright and early on Friday morning to face the crowds. I did so with mixed emotions. I deplore standing for hours. Yet I also enjoy the opportunity to observe. I have made some interesting observations this weekend. Some of the concern me.
For example, this morning we were headed out to face the crowds again. As we were exiting our little community, I noticed an individual walking his bike down the street. He did not seem to have flat tires, he was bundled up in warm clothing, but he was walking none the less. The Queen noticed him as well. I laughed as we drove by. She wanted to know what was humorous. Well, as we drove by, I noticed that on this bike, where the water bottle and bike pump would normally go, there were two extra large cans of beer. I was trying to figure out why he was walking and know had this vision of him not being able to ride. The Queen did not see the beer.
I am use to seeing these things and have other surprised when I mention them, but it also concerns me. Our brains are such incredible parts of our body, but it does not appear that we use them. Many years ago, I was surprised at what I did have stored in my brain and decided to make some changes in my life.
The story goes as follows: At the time, I had been called as a seminary teacher in Cleveland, Ohio. It was a calling that I loved immensely. As part of the calling, I was invited to attend a symposium in Provo that would talk about all the resources available to us as teachers. I was excited. The Queen and I made arrangements to make the trip. While attending one of the break out sessions, I was standing in a crowd of people I did not know. We all had name tags hanging around our necks that gave our names, duh, and the city/state we were from.
While I was standing there, I over heard a conversation that was taking place behind me. A sister, from New Jersey, was asking for directions to someones house. What grabbed my attention was the fact that they were going giving instructions to get to Pleasant View. That is right next to North Ogden, where I graduated from high school. The person giving the instructions could not remember what the exit said. They were not sure whether Pleasant View was on the road sign. The sister from New Jersey just wanted to know the exit number, since that is how most directions are given back east.
It hit me in a flash. I turned around and told them the exit number was 352, now 349 due to the age of map quest and google. Both individuals looked at me, my name tag, and then back at me. They stood there in disbelief. How could this guy from Ohio know the exit number for Pleasant View? I saw the confusion and quickly let them know that I had graduated from that area. They thanked me and walked away. I stood there in awe. How did I remember that? I don't ever remember looking for the exit number on the sign. However, I had driven past that exit for years. My brain remembered it. Since then, I have made it a point to observe such things.
The thing that concerns me is that there are many who just don't see it. I observed a great deal of uncivilized actions this weekend. People who just did not care about others, their needs, their rights, or their person. I observed some that were just down right mean. I saw people jump lines, knocking over carts, police, and other shoppers with no regard or concern. I observed an individual walk a way from his cart, with two sleeping children under the age of 3 in it. This was not a small turn around the corner. He was gone for a good 5 minutes. He just left the cart in the aisle and went looking for the deal. Why?
I also heard things from people. Comments that demonstrated the same lack of consideration for others. Things like, "Why are you concerned about the child, when you should be concerned about me." or "I know we have been living together for 14 years, I just never notice that you wore glasses before." There were several more comments from roommates, siblings, spouses, and partners. All of these comments and actions brought to the forefront of my mind how absolutely self absorbed some people can be.
They do not think about others. Everything is all about ME, MINE, and how is it going to affect the I. It does not matter that I was carrying on a conversation with the person in front of me, I received a text or the cell phone rang. It does not matter that you are standing on the item to claim it, I want it, so if you don't move, I will move you to get it.
There is no regard for others feelings, wants, or desires. It appears to all be about self gratification. As long as I am happy, nothing else matters. Why do I have to anything to earn it, when in my mind, I am entitled to it?
Have I expressed my concern? Do you understand the issue? What can we do to change it? I made a change several years ago. I decided I was going to start being more observant. As I have made these observations, I have also chosen to see if I can help. I am not always able to, but it allows me to see outside myself. It gives me new perspective on life. It allows me to step back and look at how ridiculous some of my self centered actions are or have been. It makes it easier for me to change.
How about you?
Yes, we did get up bright and early on Friday morning to face the crowds. I did so with mixed emotions. I deplore standing for hours. Yet I also enjoy the opportunity to observe. I have made some interesting observations this weekend. Some of the concern me.
For example, this morning we were headed out to face the crowds again. As we were exiting our little community, I noticed an individual walking his bike down the street. He did not seem to have flat tires, he was bundled up in warm clothing, but he was walking none the less. The Queen noticed him as well. I laughed as we drove by. She wanted to know what was humorous. Well, as we drove by, I noticed that on this bike, where the water bottle and bike pump would normally go, there were two extra large cans of beer. I was trying to figure out why he was walking and know had this vision of him not being able to ride. The Queen did not see the beer.
I am use to seeing these things and have other surprised when I mention them, but it also concerns me. Our brains are such incredible parts of our body, but it does not appear that we use them. Many years ago, I was surprised at what I did have stored in my brain and decided to make some changes in my life.
The story goes as follows: At the time, I had been called as a seminary teacher in Cleveland, Ohio. It was a calling that I loved immensely. As part of the calling, I was invited to attend a symposium in Provo that would talk about all the resources available to us as teachers. I was excited. The Queen and I made arrangements to make the trip. While attending one of the break out sessions, I was standing in a crowd of people I did not know. We all had name tags hanging around our necks that gave our names, duh, and the city/state we were from.
While I was standing there, I over heard a conversation that was taking place behind me. A sister, from New Jersey, was asking for directions to someones house. What grabbed my attention was the fact that they were going giving instructions to get to Pleasant View. That is right next to North Ogden, where I graduated from high school. The person giving the instructions could not remember what the exit said. They were not sure whether Pleasant View was on the road sign. The sister from New Jersey just wanted to know the exit number, since that is how most directions are given back east.
It hit me in a flash. I turned around and told them the exit number was 352, now 349 due to the age of map quest and google. Both individuals looked at me, my name tag, and then back at me. They stood there in disbelief. How could this guy from Ohio know the exit number for Pleasant View? I saw the confusion and quickly let them know that I had graduated from that area. They thanked me and walked away. I stood there in awe. How did I remember that? I don't ever remember looking for the exit number on the sign. However, I had driven past that exit for years. My brain remembered it. Since then, I have made it a point to observe such things.
The thing that concerns me is that there are many who just don't see it. I observed a great deal of uncivilized actions this weekend. People who just did not care about others, their needs, their rights, or their person. I observed some that were just down right mean. I saw people jump lines, knocking over carts, police, and other shoppers with no regard or concern. I observed an individual walk a way from his cart, with two sleeping children under the age of 3 in it. This was not a small turn around the corner. He was gone for a good 5 minutes. He just left the cart in the aisle and went looking for the deal. Why?
I also heard things from people. Comments that demonstrated the same lack of consideration for others. Things like, "Why are you concerned about the child, when you should be concerned about me." or "I know we have been living together for 14 years, I just never notice that you wore glasses before." There were several more comments from roommates, siblings, spouses, and partners. All of these comments and actions brought to the forefront of my mind how absolutely self absorbed some people can be.
They do not think about others. Everything is all about ME, MINE, and how is it going to affect the I. It does not matter that I was carrying on a conversation with the person in front of me, I received a text or the cell phone rang. It does not matter that you are standing on the item to claim it, I want it, so if you don't move, I will move you to get it.
There is no regard for others feelings, wants, or desires. It appears to all be about self gratification. As long as I am happy, nothing else matters. Why do I have to anything to earn it, when in my mind, I am entitled to it?
Have I expressed my concern? Do you understand the issue? What can we do to change it? I made a change several years ago. I decided I was going to start being more observant. As I have made these observations, I have also chosen to see if I can help. I am not always able to, but it allows me to see outside myself. It gives me new perspective on life. It allows me to step back and look at how ridiculous some of my self centered actions are or have been. It makes it easier for me to change.
How about you?
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