Pinned down by the Heat & Learning new tricks
Posted 08-26-2009 at 06:20 AM by LookinForMayberry
Since arriving here in Lewistown, PA late last week, we've been pinned down by the heat, which neither of us handle well. It seems to sap the energy from us. Our walks, bike rides, visits around the area all have to be done in the morning, before the temperatures rise.
It's okay, after Boston and Niagara Falls, it's nice to do not much of anything. Well, actually we are keeping pretty busy INDOORS.
In our fifties, we've learned the importance of exercising our brains as well as our bodies, to keep from losing what capabilities we have still got. Various experts advise puzzles, new languages, etc. We're doing sudoku puzzles, and as of yesterday returned to the Spanish books. (I worked in Mexico for almost two years, but have since lost almost all of the few language skills I'd gained there, from lack of practice.)
Today's lessons were preliminary. My name is .... (Me llamo....); Nice to meet you (Mucho gusto); etc.
As I study another language, I reflect on how often I've been misunderstood (and misunderstood others) in using my native tongue (English). Even here in the C-D forums and this blog, I've run into problems. Apparently, I am quick to take the wrong message.
It seems to me that if we are going to continue to crowd as many people as we can produce onto this planet, I need to develop my communication (and interpretation) skills. I need to think about my reactions to people before I voice, or type them.
I think the first question needs to be: "If I were the other person, what response would I desire?"
rather than: "What did you MEAN by THAT!?" 
At first blush, it seems to me that I just want to be accepted, but my first reaction seems to be rejecting the other. I do it all the time. When I think about a place we've visited, my first thoughts are about what I did not like, even though while visiting I first see all the things I like. I don't know why I am that way, but I do know that if I am going to stop being misunderstood, I probably need to start thinking about what I liked about something or someone FIRST.
Hmmmm. Sounds so easy. Hope I can teach THIS old dog new tricks.
It's okay, after Boston and Niagara Falls, it's nice to do not much of anything. Well, actually we are keeping pretty busy INDOORS.
In our fifties, we've learned the importance of exercising our brains as well as our bodies, to keep from losing what capabilities we have still got. Various experts advise puzzles, new languages, etc. We're doing sudoku puzzles, and as of yesterday returned to the Spanish books. (I worked in Mexico for almost two years, but have since lost almost all of the few language skills I'd gained there, from lack of practice.)
Today's lessons were preliminary. My name is .... (Me llamo....); Nice to meet you (Mucho gusto); etc.
As I study another language, I reflect on how often I've been misunderstood (and misunderstood others) in using my native tongue (English). Even here in the C-D forums and this blog, I've run into problems. Apparently, I am quick to take the wrong message.
It seems to me that if we are going to continue to crowd as many people as we can produce onto this planet, I need to develop my communication (and interpretation) skills. I need to think about my reactions to people before I voice, or type them.
I think the first question needs to be: "If I were the other person, what response would I desire?"
rather than: "What did you MEAN by THAT!?" At first blush, it seems to me that I just want to be accepted, but my first reaction seems to be rejecting the other. I do it all the time. When I think about a place we've visited, my first thoughts are about what I did not like, even though while visiting I first see all the things I like. I don't know why I am that way, but I do know that if I am going to stop being misunderstood, I probably need to start thinking about what I liked about something or someone FIRST.
Hmmmm. Sounds so easy. Hope I can teach THIS old dog new tricks.
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