Posts Tagged Gratitude

I have a soft spot for technicians, probably because I want to be one. Rarely do I come across rude technicians. Today, after receiving a technician visit yesterday, my record still holds that 90% of the time my work is completed by competent and polite people.

happy circumstances

a day early

After I finished working online at a restaurant, I went home to do a few things before Sunday’s for the technician to maybe make an appearance, between 8 and 8. I was unlocking my door when my cell rang and it was the AT&T technician, a live person, calling to say he was on his way to work on my phone. Talk about fortuitous! I put my things away and before I knew it, he was at my door.

a familiar face

I always have a hesitation about people coming to my door. But, this man had a uniform, announced himself and the company before he moved to enter, and I recognized his face from helping me some years prior. So, I was okay with letting him in.

great tech service is a wonderful thing

He was nice, efficient, thorough. He fixed the break in the equipment outside and came back in to check the phone jacks before he left. He even checked and told me that my modem is still good for the internet (coming soon). In spite of all my frustration in getting help, this man made up for it and he didn’t even know it. His only effort toward this was doing his job well.

I’m pleased to say that my face-to-face experience was as good as I expected it would be. We chatted for a bit and he was on his way. And my phone works!

resigned to automated mediocrity

While the run-around on the telephone is always an unpleasant experience, I think it may be a symptom of the way the world will be for a while to come. When you say someone will call you back, and set a recorded message to play thinking that’s appropriate, I know there’s no way this company’s going to change soon.

My blogs are my friends because they give me a forum to write about things that are important or insignificant. They present me with space to write about topics I consider worthy. Whether I’m imparting ideas based on where I’ve been or those spawned by where I’m heading, the choice is mine alone.

That’s powerful and frightening too. There’s no one to keep me out of trouble, or to blame when things go seriously awry. In part because of these things, I blog very happily. It’s fulfilling and helpful to me to have a record of ideas when they happen. It’s a great reference tool. There’s another reason, too…

Ultimately, I do it because I’m grateful. Gratitude is my overarching motivation for much of what I do. It permeates my efforts here.

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As technology advances, information and people can reach us wherever we are if we let it. Most cell phones let you receive text messages. Some phones let you read your email while you await your flight. I surf the web on my iPhone and it blows me away. That’s a lot of connectivity. And it’s a great help in professional writing.

After the research is done, though, some time should be spent in thought. It’s necessary to be clear in your personal thoughts to get your best writing. Disconnecting is a way to do that.

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I want to share with you the story of how I re-learned what’s allowed to feed the writing fires. It may be something you’ve experienced, and will inspire you to find out or rediscover what can feed your writing fires.

At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us. – Albert Schweitzer

The Whole World is Mine to Draw From

You ever wonder how writers come up with ideas for their material? I wondered that too. Part of my quandary has to do with the label of writer and all the dread that title brings with it. It’s something I’ve turned over in my head from time to time, and a lot lately. In fact, on my last trip to my hometown I gave it a lot of attention and came up with an answer.
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New Orleans fireworks on the Mississippi River, 2009

It’s the first of the year, and a good day to begin things anew. Blogging is at the top of my list, along with some other things I’ve been considering. I’ve been exploding with ideas over the last few months. It seemed fitting to start now to put them in place.

It’s time to be about the business of doing what is important to me. And beginning this month, I will be investing more time in salvaging my blogs and making changes to my website.

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