Unlike real life, online bad days can be deleted

There's this filter that keeps you from saying things you'll later regret. This filter exists in your mind. Think before you open your mouth and you'll be fine. The same applies for anything you publish. Make no mistake, if you post, tweet, say, seem to think, or upload something you have published it as a virtual representation of something you believe. Unlike real life, bad days can be deleted. They may not be easily forgotten but at least no one else is going to believe you're always that way. 

It's important in a virtual community not to take things too seriously. People will have differing points of view. People view their profile page or their news feed as their online home. Therefore they feel they have the right to express whatever personal views and opinions they have at the moment. Often they don't consider the audience. Unlike real life our virtual homes have the ability to impact the lives of so many more people. 

It's sad to see so many people unhappy because they feel personally attacked by their friends or colleagues. Most assuredly unless you really are by name overwhelmed by a flood of negativity, nothing that any of your friends or colleagues post, tweet, say, seem to think, or upload is intentionally directed at you. Consider it as offensive as the evening news. You certainly don't agree with all of it.  It may upset you on occasion.  Yet you're aware the news crew is not referring directly to you.  

Never take things too personally. It's almost guaranteed it isn't personal. They're just people stating opinions that may or may not be exactly the same as your own. Please know that you do have friends who may not be as vocal but certainly enjoy being a part of your life. If someone's posts, tweets, or uploads really bother you that much, you always have options so you no longer see that which offends or bothers you. Some people somehow lack or fail to utilize this filter that keeps most of us from saying things we'll later regret that in turn keeps us from emotionally traumatizing or ostracizing others.

Technology is a Double Edged Sword

I often believe people use technology as a means to justify not keeping in touch with the people they care about the most. I find it's a double edged sword. It's both a wonderful way to stay in touch and a fabulous way to avoid being in contact. I'm not implying the latter is always intentional, simply that it can often be the case.  Missing calls or texts.  Not noticing voice mail.  Being too preoccupied with a project or daily life.  Not responding to social media, voice mail, or e-Mail.  If one is remiss in acting upon using the benefits of technology for too long, it's easy to lapse into a cycle of unintentional neglect facilitated by the very technology that simplifies engaging in communication.  In this world filled with cellphones, tablets, PDA's, iPods,  laptops, and apps to fulfill every need imaginable the only component that really matters is the human one.

The Fork in the Road

This is my version of the proverbial fork in the road.  It's that place where life forces you to make a decision.  Often this decision is irreversible.  More times than not there is no switch up ahead to put you back on track if you took the course that lead to the less desirable of the two outcomes.  Life isn't a train station.  You can't notice you're going the wrong direction, get off at the next stop, and simply correct your course.  Life is a series of decisions both conscious and subconscious.  Instead of simply being a passenger on life's journey, be the conductor.  Plan your route.  Factor in your stops.  Instead of leaving things to chance, allow yourself time to engage interesting activities, places, and people.  Learn from others.  Allow others to learn from you.  Your life will be richer for it.  A fork in a road or a decision you need to make is just an opportunity life has gifted you.  Don't shut your eyes until the decision makes itself, it's too late, or the opportunity has long passed.  Instead take control of your life, make the decision, and face the consequences.  More often than not the decision you make will be the right one for you.    

Nine ingredients that make any dish healthier

When I was younger, I may or may not have read this article.  It would depend on my time constraints.  There were so many other professional articles and articles that were more pertinent to my daily life that this one would probably have been placed in that ever growing "to do" pile.  Now that I'm older, I find I'm more health conscious.  Not only am I conscious of ingredients I use but also of prepared products I use and consume.  I even find myself scanning the healthy menu at sit down and fast food restaurants.  It's not something I do on a conscious level, it's just something I find myself doing or realize I've done later.  While I'm neither overweight nor unhealthy, logic dictates it's far better to take preventative measures than regret not doing so later.     
Nine Ingredients that Make Any Dish Healthier

Pets

I never understood why parents refused to allow their children pets.  We have two dogs at the house.  My niece has her turtle.  Each of my daughters has a pet or two.  It gives them something to be responsible for other than themselves.  They forge connections and attachments.  They learn how to care for their pet and what makes their pet unique not only as a different kind of animal but in personality.  Having this extended understanding of another creature makes them better people.  In a world that's filled with difficulties, having responsibilities and routines gives stability.  The added benefit of having something to care for and care about that also cares for you in return is well worth the investment.

Awesome Firepit Swingset

I  read the title and raised an eyebrow.  It sounds like a terrible idea.  Swings tend to be dangerous by themselves.  Adding fire anywhere near a swing just sounds awful.  However, if you actually look at the design it's very attractive and interesting.  I can see where this would be a welcome addition particularly in the cooler months.  I almost wonder if the dangerous sounding title was intentional.  Most people are more apt to be interested in that which elicits an emotional response.  It doesn't matter if that reaction is positive or negative.  People in general are drawn to it.  These emotionally loaded titles are what they're drawn to, what they'll read and what they'll share with others.  On some level whether it's shocking, surprising, makes them smile or laugh, makes them angry, makes them think or makes them curious, it changes the way they look at things if only for a moment.  Most people are compelled to share their feelings whether or not they're aware of them.  Intentional or accidental it's a great marketing tactic.  Many people read this admittedly wonderful article just out of curiosity.   
Awesome Firepit Swingset

I Had a Wonderful Time

I spent a day visiting a new micro-brewery.  It's a good way to support local businesses.  They purchase all they use from local producers.  Afterward, we went shopping.  My daughter bought ice cream.  We ate in the park.  We visited the cemetery.  I wish I would've brought flowers.  We ended the day playing video games.  It was a good day.

Did I mention that I've never liked beer.  I simply don't enjoy the taste of hops.  I also dislike shopping.  The stores are always too crowded.  People tend to be so preoccupied with their own needs that shopping makes many of them very rude.  Many people also have issues controlling their children these days.

I've seen pets, not assistance animals, but just pets places I'm relatively certain you're not allowed to have pets.  It's a little dog not a child.  It doesn't belong at the mall, shopping center, boutique, or the grocery store.  It's not simply a matter of being annoying or a nuisance.  Some of us are allergic.  It's inconsiderate.

I dislike beer and the perils of shopping.  Yet, I still enjoyed my day.  Ordinarily, one would suppose this would be a terrible itinerary.  However, it's not what you're doing, it's with whom you're spending you're time that makes it both enjoyable and memorable.  I very much enjoyed spending time with my daughter and her fiance`.  I had a wonderful day with my family.  That above all is what made my day a good day.  Often it's easy to forget that it's the people in our lives that make the daily and significant events in life special.     

Remember and Learn From Your Past

This is one of the older style McDonald's restaurants.  There are a number of McDonald's in the area but my youngest daughter and I prefer not only the food, the service, and the convenient location of this one but also the novelty of it.  I suppose we could stop at a McDonald's that is equally convenient, with good service and food earlier or later in our route but it's not quite the same.  There is something different about old fashioned fast food places, restaurants, and locations.  One would have to visit and stay awhile or at least have a basis for comparison to understand my meaning. 

Similarly, there are other restaurants that have modern counter parts.  We prefer the original setting.  It's a reminder of a time that has long past.  For a little while, you are surrounded by the sights, sounds, and smells of the past.  It brings back positive memories.  If time travel is possible this is how one would facilitate it.  Simply step through the doors of your favorite memory.  Reminisce but don't allow yourself to stay.  The best thing about the past is remembering and learning from it.  Even sitting in an old fashioned fast food place there are many memories and much to learn.  The best thing about learning is when your truly learn from your past, you grow from it.  That alone is reason enough to explore the many little or not altered locations, restaurants, and fast food places one would ordinarily pass over for something a little more modern.

A Different Perspective

When we're in a rush, my daughters and I order take out and eat on the way or in the closest park.  This is a park we've eaten lunch in for years.  It's usually crowded.  It has walking trails, a dog park, Frisbee golf, and all the other usual park amenities.  We spend a lot of time talking, looking up directions, reading, with visiting pets in the dog park, eating,... Until recently, I never really took photographs of the park itself.  For that matter, I never really looked at the park.  I looked at trees and plants.  I looked at the architecture and structure of things in the park like the bridge and buildings.  I looked at the dog park and the trails.  It's a park.

Recently I decided to take photographs.  I stepped back.  I looked at things from a different perspective.  I saw an entirely different park than the one I'd been coming to for the last few years.  Sometimes I believe we need to do this with other aspects of our lives or just life in general.  We grow so accustomed to seeing things the way we do on an everyday basis that we miss how incredible it really is from a different perspective.  I think that's why things get taken for granted.  It's because we get accustomed to it's presence.  When you always see something, somehow it isn't nearly as wonderful as just seeing it.  The next time you grow restless or believe you lack something in life, adjust your perspective.  You'll find seeing things differently makes you appreciate them more.  You'll also notice your life is far richer than you believed. 

Sometimes it's not about you

I hear it all the time.  What did I do?  Why is he/she angry with me?  What can I do to fix things?  The answer to this and many other "me" centric questions is:  It probably has nothing to do with you.  You most likely didn't do anything out of the ordinary.  He/she is angry and taking it out on you but not actually angry with you.  There isn't really anything you can do to fix things.  As a parent, relative, and friend I understand the whole "must fix it" complex but sometimes, much of the time it doesn't involve you so you can't fix it.  I'm not saying walk away.  I'm saying give your child, relative, or friend room to figure things out on his/her own.  Be there and really listen.  It does no one any good for all parties to be upset.  Also, if you ask someone (like me) for advice, remember you asked for advice.  Don't go on the defensive.  I'm not taking sides.  At the same time, as your friend I won't lie to you.