Yep, take that technology; I outsmarted your smart-azz! Wait, what did you think this “ole girl” did?
So, I’m feeling a little Deja Vu because I feel like I’ve been here with you before. Yeah, I was a bit younger, and maybe a little wiser (short pause). Naw, probably not wiser. Definitely younger, and my eyesight was a lot better, and my mind a little quicker, but the struggle and stress were the same. I remember it well.
But I’ve defeated you! Yes, it took me a few weeks, but I figured out the algorithms and addressed my server issues all without reaching out to chat with the fake AI “IT” that’s never helpful. Sorry….not Sorry. But guess what, this Ole-Girl figured it out, and now let’s see if these links will work. Please work. Either way….let’s get blogging!
Be “deliberate” in learning something new as you age, no matter how small. It improves your self-esteem and just makes you feel good. And celebrate the wins…all of them. Even if you’re celebrating alone!
Update 2 years later in 2025. Better late than never. Honestly, I don’t even know what link I was referring to.
But the message was Awesome!
So, I’ll pick up where I left off. We all live a never-ending story. This will be mine.
2 years ago I was in Arizona, working in packing and shipping. I’d lost my “dream” Hospitality Management position due to the Pandemic.
Dreaming of being back home with my Grands, a month before the post below, a random opportunity helped me begin the process of moving back home….for good.
Today, I live exactly 15 minutes from my Daughter & her family, and 45 minutes from my Son. I see my Grands whenever I want
I had no idea of my timeline. It was all in God’s timing. I had determination, hard work, opportunity, Hope & Prayer……
I originally wrote the post below the day after “The Slap” in 2022, in which I included the pictures and statements below, supposedly by Mr. Rock. and Mr. Smith. Unfortunately, I don’t believe either proved to be true statements.
It is almost a year later and it’s still a “hot topic” and something to poke fun at, especially after the recent live comedy show on Netflix. Today I was scrolling through Facebook and there was a picture of Will kissing Jada on her (wigless) head, and the jokes started rolling…..one right after the other.
I’ll insert the picture here (which I’m sure everyone’s seen by now) that was taken the night of the incident.
I have to say after reading the post…I was saddened and disappointed in our humanity. My original stance has always been that this is a misfortune that happened in the heat of the moment and that we as spectators shouldn’t be so quick to throw stones…yada, yada, yada. It’s all in the original post below. However, the amount of negative energy, crass jokes at the expense of someone with a condition, lack of empathy, kick em when they down, adult bullying that I was witnessing was appalling.
Now I know people will counter with she did this and he did that….and they’re rich so who cares…..but I’m talking about our behaviors. Most of us “eventually” reap what we sow when we make questionable choices. This is even more so when it comes to celebrities who are in the public eye….and triple that if you’re a “black” celebrity with the status that Mr. Smith has. So, to think it’s our responsibility to add to the dragging and ridicule is incomprehensible to me….and just mean. When did we get so vicious?
Not everyone threw stones, there were a few (very few) people who actually said something about the jokes, in regard to Jada’s appearance in particular, which was still “beautiful” bald and all. But those few also treaded “lightly” for fear that they might be stoned also. What a time we live in.
I’m going to leave here with “My 2 thoughts”.
Be kind…unless you’ve taken the time out to find out what a person is going through, assume the worst, and treat them like you’d want to be treated. Every one of us is going through something….might not be the same something…..but we’re all going through it.
And, back to the original post….We’re “all” human, that’s the one thing we have in common. We’re gonna F-up and hopefully, learn and grow from the experience. As for the situation between these 2 men, I won’t condone or condemn either……it’s not my call.
“Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world” Desmond Tutu
Original post written March 28th, 2022 (how I’d hoped it turned out)
…..And now on a positive note, I commend both of these men for taking accountability. Kudos and much respect to you both!
Too often we place people on pedestals and forget that they are human. I try not to post on celebrity news stuff. I don’t watch much television, so I never really know what’s going on. But this….well, it kept popping up online everywhere. Both Will and Chris are human and none of us know what really goes on in celebrities’ lives, nor should we. All we really know is that Will has a wife with Alopecia and Chris told a very distasteful joke at her expense, and let’s just say….I think he learned his lesson.
Disclaimer: The statement below is not proven true or accurate.
Disclaimer: The statement below is not proven true or accurate.
“Forgive yourself for not knowing what you didn’t know before you learned it.”
Maya Angelou
Adele is back like the Queen she is and I’m simply in love with her new song ‘Easy on Me’
Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to this music
From what I read, the song is to her son, explaining the reasoning behind splitting from his dad and asking him for empathy. Kinda sad…in true Adele fashion.
As with any good song, it usually makes you reflect on personal experiences, and so that’s what I did…of course. The thing about reflection is that it’s not always a pleasant experience, and as I began to reflect, I braced myself.
Here’s a little bit of that refection……
I have 1 son and 1 daughter. He’s grown now, over 40, a father, grandfather, and son to be proud of. Not perfect, but a good man, a good son, and a good father.
She’s also grown now, a Beautiful human, daughter, wife, and mother.
I remember their struggles and how I contributed to them regardless of my intent not to (parents really are so imperfect). I still sometimes seek their forgiveness in their adulthood. I honestly can’t help it…..I’m their Mama and I love them…..
But what I’m beginning to understand is that it is “me” who is seeking forgiveness….not them. It is not their issue, it is mine, and it is my peace that I’m seeking 💡. So I’ve decided to change my focus on forgiving myself, and for someone who is always in their own head (I promise I’m working on this😊), this has been no easy task.
Parenting is not a science. You hope everyone involves survives, physically, mentally, and otherwise. I’m not sure how many other parents feel they could’ve done better if they knew better (I really hope I’m not the only one🙄), but unfortunately life doesn’t work like that. You live and you learn.
Generational gaps and generational opinions have and will always exists, but we must learn to still listen to one another during this age of “breaking generational curses” and healing (which I absolutely agree with). Our children and grandchildren need all the lessons of love from those in the “village”.
What can I say about 2020? Ohhh so many thoughts come to my head. One thing’s for sure, it opened my eyes to how fragile and exposed we are to each other.
This year should have brought humanity closer…..I hoped. Instead, it showed how vulnerable we are, and how the worst of times can divide us even more.
My most favorite phrase this year became “everyone’s not the same”, meaning everyone’s situation was not the same, obviously. But after a while, I started feeling like Ms. Gloom & Doom, Debbie the Downer, or the “Damn…here comes Ms. Negative Nellie reminding us to be empathic to the sad people”. I’m really not that girl, I promise I’m not. I’m actually a lot of fun! I do, however, label myself an empath and probably drive others, as well as myself, a little crazy playing devil’s advocate.
This year’s just made me really sad.
I’m sad for those who’ve lost friends and family to this horrible virus. I’m sad for those who have lost businesses and livelihoods. I’m sad for those who were affected negatively through no fault of their own. But mostly, I’m sad because we could not come together as human beings and figure this out.
My optimistic side is hopeful that we will somehow get it together; I know that sounds dry, but that’s all I got right now, but my practical brain tells me that we have a long way to go. We failed the Humanity test and that makes me sad.
I’ve always liked to write. I’m not ashamed of that. Writing is a way to express oneself, and most times it’s so much easier than talking. I’m also a talker though …….see the problem? I can over-communicate if you let me….lol
What it boils down to is this, I need to be able to communicate. Wait……need is such a “needy” word. How about, I require human interaction in some form….that’s better!
Personally, my need or desire to communicate with others is the reason I’ve been blogging on and off for some years now, and I think I’m starting to like it!
Blogging for me is like writing in a diary. I guess that’s the main reason I’ve never shared it. They are my private thoughts, you know!
But when motivated, this is where I write my most genuine feelings. This is my therapy, my therapist. Yes, my blog is my diary. I’ve always heard that journaling is a good way to help fight depression or just deal with life, and I have to agree, it’s liberating!
Now listening……that’s another story!
I’m learning that listening is a developed skill-set that I’m still working very hard to master. It’s much tougher to learn than speaking, but it’s so much more important and so valuable when you learn it.
“They” say it’s the reason we have two ears and one mouth.
Oh where, oh where do I start. I haven’t blogged in awhile so you all bear with me:)
Ok let’s start with the title.
So these aren’t my words or sentiments (referring to the title). I personally believe that you’re never too old to learn new things. When I get to that point, send me Home to my Maker!
I’m just saying.
I was actually told this by someone very, very close and dear to me years ago when I was a little bit younger and still figuring out some shit. Hey….I’m still figuring out some shit, and I’m over 50! I have to admit that it initially hurt my feelings to hear these words, especially since we were exactly the same age, and I thought that we felt similar in that neither of us had totally figured out this thing called life. I found out I was mistaken, and that’s ok because everyone’s journey is different. No love lost and we’re still friends today, but I know our individual journeys may again someday take us in different directions. God willing, we’ll always find our way back to each other and the friendship we hold dearly. In the meantime, in between time….I’ll keep learning and growing as I grow older. I’ll keep teaching the youngins (those that want to listen), and those old-heads who believe like me that you’re never too old to learn a “new thing”. I’ll keep seeking adventure and enjoying the Life God has blessed me with….Good or Bad
They say don’t talk so loud, young ladies shouldn’t raise their voices”. So, I speak quietly when I share my opinion, but….I share my opinions. They say, “be careful how you talk to people and choose your words wisely…”you don’t want to offend anyone”…so, I take extra time gathering my words, but my opinion remains unchanged, for the most part. Maybe it’s not the volume and tone of my voice that offends……maybe it’s my opinion.
Me!
I had an incident today or maybe the incident just happened to me. The first way just sounds way better……gives me more control over a situation I felt I had no control over. As women, we’re expected to play so many roles, wear so many hats…..yada,yada, yada. But unfortunately, it’s true, and today I felt like all those hats ‘came a tumbling down‘ all at once. I think I had a meltdown…….not a breakdown, but damn close.
I bought my youngest grandchildren chocolate bunnies for Easter, and my grandson thanked me for his Duck (huh)……. (Rrrrrr, I thought in my Scooby voice). After a short pause, my granddaughter and I looked at each other then proceeded to argue with this 4yr old “little man” that it was not a duck, that it was in fact, a Bunny…..and he argued right back that “Nooo….It’s a Duck!” It wasn’t until days later while doing nothing at all that I looked at the Bunny/Duck from my grandsons point of view, turned a little at an angle, and for the first time I saw “the Duck”. Well hello there Mr. Duck ! And at the very same moment, my grandson discovered Ms. Bunny (with a little help from Nana pointing out the bow-tie….yes, girls can wear bow-ties too!). I think we both became a little excited over our newly discovered friends.
SONY DSC
SONY DSC
Disclaimer: This is not the actual Bunny, hence no bow-tie ;), but I just had to give you guys a visual because this tickled me 🙂
I think it’s funny how we can be so sure when it comes to what we see and believe until a slight tilt of the head can help us see the world from a different perspective.
This just goes to show that our individual views of the world around us will instinctively kick in first….( shrugs shoulders) it’s just human nature. However, this doesn’t always make “our” truth everyone else’s……and in most cases, especially those involving chocolate Bunny/Ducks, that’s ok.
When I write, my first concern is always….how will my post be perceived. Sometimes I have to remind myself….that’s not my concern
It’s almost 10 years later, 2025, and can you believe that it’s gotten even worse?
We’ve experienced a global pandemic, which should’ve bonded mankind, but instead just exposed our selfishness. On the positive side, we broke barriers and elected an African American President (who, by the way, won twice), as well as had 2 women run for the Presidency. So, that’s definitely progress.
However, you know I’m going to play the devil’s advocate and mention the grim truth which is that, Humans suck!
Even after all we’ve been through, people still don’t practice “respect” for others, even if they’re being paid.
Original Post from 2016 below
Okay, so I know life happens, and when it does, sometimes, and only sometimes, we all need a little help. Lord forbid if the person or customer service representative has to actually do their job……AND HELP THE PERSON OUT!
I must admit, today’s customer service experience (at least mine) wasn’t the worst. I mean, at least the voice on the other end did not sound “personally offended” that I called. On the other hand, what happened to smiling “before” you pick up the phone, which is Customer Service 101. I can almost assure you that in each phone encounter I had today, the person on the other end was “not” smiling when they answered my call. I’ve worked with the public too long to not know the importance of a friendly, personable greeting which sets the tone for the conversation that follows. Even if the circumstances or reasons for the call are not the most pleasant…..a pleasant, friendly voice may make the encounter more tolerable.
Attention All Customer Service Agents……It is “your” job to serve and assist, even in the most unpleasant circumstances. And, in most situations the
person screaming at you on the other end is not upset with you (unless you’re the one that pissed them off); they’re simply trying to get some resolution. IJS
Just My 2 Thoughts 