Random observations...

So I was behind a car today that had three bumper stickers- two said "Guitars United" the other was the emblem for the Electricians Union. I wonder if he plays electric guitar?

I passed a Catholic Church that had a sign inviting their congregation to bring their pets for "Blessings of the Animals". It got me thinking - Do animals sin? My dog knows right from wrong (like chewing a shoe) - so if he does it, should he go to confession? 

One thing I know for sure: 9 times out of 10, if I smile at someone - they smile back. Those are darn good odds. And it sure feels good.

The saying "If momma ain't happy, ain't know one happy" is so true. So I try to tell every Mother I see that they're a good mom. That has the potential of a large ripple effect to a lot of people.

Three immediate ways to make your life more peaceful

You're stressed. You're worried. You don't know what the future holds in store - but you don't think it looks too good. Wars are everywhere. How can you possibly wish for a peaceful world? Here's how:

1)  Define "world". We often wish for "world peace"...what does that mean to you? If you're thinking global - then that's a pretty daunting task. But how is your world? With whom do you surround yourself? Look around you right now - is there turmoil or calm? This is your world. And you have full control. You can ignore the people arguing around you - you can switch the radio channel - you have lots of choices. Make YOUR world as peaceful as you can.

2)  Turn off the news. No if, ands, or buts. Turn it off. The news organizations do not get ratings telling you good news. That's not being cynical. Its a fact. So just turn it off. Do you really need to know about the murder five states away? Does it affect your story? Which brings me to #3:

3) Know your story.  I once asked a friend how they were doing - they answered "not good" and proceeded to tell me how an acquaintance got mugged the night before. How their mother was not well. And how two of their friends were in an argument with each other. I couldn't help but think - but I asked how YOU were...you listed everyone elses problems.  It's important to know your own story and not to empathize so much that you confuse others' misfortunes with your own. The fact was, this particular person was in great health, was going on vacation in a week, and had just aced their exams in college. I'd say they were doing pretty well!

These are three IMMEDIATE ways to allow more peace into your life in this very moment. So take a deep breath. Block out the outside noise. Reign in your negative thoughts. And allow peace to blossom in you. You deserve it!

Time to start a-bloggin' again!

It's been a while since I've blogged. But I'm back...and ready to share my thoughts with this peaceful world. I welcome all comments! Share your thoughts with me! Let's get this ship movin' again and sail from port to port meeting new peaceful pirates! I know you're out there!

Compliment Board

Okay crew members. I'm sounding the alarm. The time has come. We are going on the offensive. A very, very polite offensive. 

We are going to single handedly...with our multiple hands...change the mood of this country. No more strife. No more parties: Democratic, Libertarian, or Tea.  We are going to start a mood in this country where we appreciate what we have...not longing for what we think we are missing.

We're going to focus on the good. And only the good. 

Here's what we'll do. If you're driving and someone cuts you off...don't shoot THEM the finger. No. That's recognizing the bad. Quickly find a good driver and give them the thumb! Thumbs up, that is.  Let someone know they were driving well. 

And if a waitress gives you bad service at a restaurant...regain your focus and recognize a server in the same restaurant that may be wonderful with their customer. Let them know you noticed and compliment them. 

If you really want to change the mood and affect as many people as you can, call the 1-800 number of whatever company you are visiting and tell them about the wonderful server you saw. By doing this, we are giving the customer service operator a welcome reprieve from the endless complaints they receive. In fact, now you can compliment THEM. Take it all the way to the top. 

It just may be that the original waitress you initially called about will now receive a welcomed reward from her company. Now his/her esteem has grown and the energy will expand to include every customer they have after that.

We can do this! Here is a short list of phone numbers that will help get us started in our endeavor. And please, please share your stories with me and the rest of the crew. We'll compare and see who had the best WOW story.

Corporate Phone #'s

McDonalds - 1-800-244-6227

Burger King - (305) 378-3535

Wendys - (614) 764-3100, ext. 2032

Starbucks - (800) 235-2883

Lowes - 1-800-445-6937

Home Depot - 1-800-466-3337

 

 

We Need New Curse Words

So I'm watching a movie last night and every other word is an F-bomb. 

I get it. I realize the movie was supposed to depict people in real life.  And I'm sure people speak that way in many, many circles in which I do not travel. Don't get me wrong. I can curse like a sailor. Which makes sense - I AM a pirate. And as peaceful as I may be...I still need a good curse word for when I stub my toe.  It happens.

But the F-bombs really got to me. I couldn't get used to them. I cringed every time I heard them. This led to self reflection. Why am I cringing? Why am I letting this particular word offend me? They aren't talking to me. I shouldn't take it personally.

So I tried to salvage the rest of the movie by playing a little game in my head. I tried to think of the least offensive word I could. Then, in my mind, I substituted that word for the F-bomb every time they used it. So now the movie was full of the word "puppy."

"You mother puppy! Why the puppy did you do that!!! You must be out of your puppy mind!!"

That's when it hit me. I hadn't been offended at all by the F-bomb. Heck! I love puppies...and I got really tired of hearing it over and over.

No, I wasn't offended at all. I was bored. 

Bored out of my puppy mind.

The F-bomb is soooo overused. In fact, it is rarely used for the purpose in which it was created. I mean, seriously,  "Why the F-bomb did you do that?" doesn't even make sense.

Twenty five years ago, I remember overhearing a five year old use the F-bomb to a younger child. I had to laugh. It was so outrageous. I asked the five year old, "Do you even know what that word means?" He looked me in the eye and replied "well, it's like making love. But you don't really mean it.".

I would like to think that child has grown up to be a Professor of English somewhere. He certainly had a command of the English language at a very young age. 

And yet that was twenty five years ago. It doesn't offend any more. It's used in the strangest of word combinations. It's like using like in like every sentence. Makes no sense and gets very tiring.

So I'm ready for new curse words. Something fresh. Maybe a funny sounding word like "snorket" and it can mean something vile and crude. I think it would take me a while to get tired of "snorket." It's kind of fun to say. I'll try it in a movie:

Here's a line from the movie Superbad: "McLovin's never existed because that's a made up dumb SNORKET FAIRY TALE NAME, YOU SNORKET!

I think snorket works! (excuse my language).

Simple Words can do Powerful Things!

Today I did something that changed the mood and behavior of a few people. It didn't cost me a thing. I didn't need special training...heck, I didn't even break a sweat doing it!

Today I smiled at a lady and said "Thank you! You're good at your job...have a great day!"

Not just "Thanks" or "Have a great day".  Those sentiments get lost in the mundane, lifeless conversations we have with strangers every day. No, I actually looked her in the eyes and genuinely complimented her. And the smile she gave me brightened the overcast, threatening sky above.

This exchange took place at a fast food drive thru window. Prior to our exchange, she had mumbled her script through the speakers. I could barely understand her. Many could've passed the mumbling off as someone who hated her job and had no respect for the customer to whom she was speaking. But as I approached the window, I saw her frantically reaching for a cup for someone's order while punching on the keypad and taking the current customer's order. Then she rapidly rattled off my total to me while sticking out her hand and casting me a steely look. Now if I had been in a gloomy mood, I could have translated that look as a look of disgust. But because I was in a cheery mood, I decided to define the look as a determined look. The orders and totals were swirling in her mind as she skillfully and dutifully performed her job with perfection. That is when the words flew out of my mouth: " Thank you! You're good at your job...have a great day!".

Her reaction was immediate. Her left hand flew over her heart. Her eyebrows raised. And...yep...that radiant smile emerged. She immediately snapped back to her script as the next customer approached the order kiosk outside. But this time her voice was much cheerier. She was still smiling. And each word was crystal clear. In turn, that particular customer had a very pleasant experience.

This is all that needed to happen on the Jet Blue airliner a couple of days ago with Steve Slater. He was doing his job. And a lady was rude to him. He was injured by her neglect. And he snapped.  Now I won't jump on the bandwagon and call him a hero. And I certainly realize that there were a number of ways he could have better dealt with the situation.

But in an age where we read of disgruntled workers shooting everyone in their path because they "can't take it anymore", it is extremely refreshing to see a man use only words, not violence, to exclaim his frustration...then grab two beers and slide away.

Now I have no idea what led to the disgruntled passenger's actions. Was she visiting a loved one in the hospital and was anxious to grab her bag and go? Was she feeling sick and just wanted to get out of there? Had her life been threatened by the passenger beside her? Who knows.

What I do know is this: no one on that plane woke up that morning planning to ruin her day. She overreacted by insulting a worker performing his job, and, as a result, she injured him.

After all of that, he only asked for an apology. That in itself is a testament to her personality that he even had to ask.

She could've made many different choices. But her interpretation of his Jet Blue trained instructions affected her selfish ego. And that has affected millions of people across the country and may very well send a man to jail.

11 words brightened a fast food clerk's day today. Two words could have prevented this national story.

Typical Orlando Florida Day

Had an amazing day yesterday!

Here is fair warning for next year, mark your calendars for the Encore! concert written and performed by Disney cast members next year! We saw it yesterday and it was an absolutely phenomenal show!

After that, we met parrot head friends at The Oasis Tiki Bar on I-Drive in Orlando. There are so many things to love about our parrot head friends, but the number one thing I love about them is: one phone call, and word travels and a bunch show up! An instant party!

Of course, it helped that they were volunteering at nearby Give Kids The World. An amazing charity. It's Orlando Florida's fourth theme park...for children with life threatening illnesses. The local chapter of Parrot Heads put on a pool party complete with DJ DeciBel!

Peaceful Pirate + Parrot Heads of Central Florida + The Oasis Tiki Bar= One great life!