Sublime

I just read an article about the subliminal messages we receive from advertisers. There was a study done that showed how our subconscious minds can be swayed without us even noticing. Placements of signs, tee shirt logos, colors. There are companies that devote themselves to studying the human mind and how product marketing can affect how we purchase items. Certain stores shuffle around where items are. Each week they are placed in a different area. It is like a treasure hunt, trying to find the item you came in for. That's the idea. To make you search further into the store and possibly see another item you may or may not really need. It is not by accident that the cereals with the most sugar are placed on the bottom shelf. They are there to be at eye level with children. That is the target age group. Not many adults eat Lucky Charms. Everywhere we go, indirect messages are being sent to us. Is it real or is it Memorex?

50/50

Is it just me, or has anyone else noticed that people don't listen to what you say? Lately, when I speak to someone, either professionally or in my personal life, no one listens. They hear 50% of what I say. The annoying part, is that when they are questioned about it, they claim I never told them. I am tired of hearing the old "you never told me that" story. I started an experiment in work. As each patient called for information, I documented, word for word, what was said during our conversation. Needless to say, when they called back a week later, asking the same question, and were told the same answer, they said "that is not what you told me". I informed them that I had documented every bit of the previous conversation. Somehow their memory was jogged a bit and I was told "that sounds familiar". Are people day dreaming through life, filtering things out as they go? When I give a sandwich order in the deli, why do they make it wrong, 1/2 the time? How hard is it to hone in on an order for 6 bagels? Why do I have to repeat it 4 times? Two sesame or three. As Judge Judy says, "put on your listening ears".

Clean Up

I work in an office that pays a cleaning service a lot of money to clean our office each night. For some unknown reason, no one can do it properly. Each time we are dissatisfied, we interview another company. The routine is always the same. The owner arrives, all dressed up in a suit and tie, carrying a clipboard. He surveys the area and says "we can do better". We point out all of the trouble spots and are told that his company will make the office spotless. With trust and good faith, we hire the new service. Just like a boy courting a girl, the first few weeks are great. Sinks are sparkling and floors are swept. Then as we fall into our comfort zone, the rug is pulled out from us, yet another time. The cobwebs appear and you can carve your initials into the soap scum on the sink. The complaining phone calls begin. Apologies and new promises are given. Once more, we must "break up" with our cleaning service. The next week, a new man arrives, in a suit and tie.

Press *

I have an alarm system in my house. It keeps me safe when I am home and keeps my house safe when I am out. It has one feature that I love. When I disengage the alarm, it says "Press * To Show Faults". I wish that humans had that button somewhere on their bodies. Perhaps on their shoulder. When you first meet someone you would push their * button. (Later on you push other buttons, but that is another blog). After you push the * button, a list of their faults would print out of their mouths... "I am lazy, I am inconsiderate, I have a big mouth.....". You then would have the opportunity to decide if this is the type of person you want to have in your life. At least then you know what to expect and there are no surprises.

Toyland

Before we know it, holiday season will be here. The retailers push the seasons, more than ever. I already see Halloween decorations in the stores even though we are still wearing bathing suits and flip flops.Every parent wants their child to have the newest toys on the market. I remember back in the 1980's when Cabbage Patch Kids were all the rage. Parents stood on line for hours just to "adopt" their own doll. They were sold on the "black market" for outlandish prices. Parents got into fist fights in the aisles of the toy stores where stock was limited. I always thought the dolls were creepy, and since I had boys, I never joined the frenzy. I do remember searching high and low for a Transformer action figure named Man-O-War. It took weeks and many visits to Toys R Us, but I got it. The prized Man-O-War figure. That was the only time I ran around like a lunatic looking for a toy. I learned my lesson a few weeks later when I found Man-O-War crammed in a corner of my playroom. Discarded, like yesterdays trash. I vowed never again to make any toy a priority. I soon realized that sometimes the box was more fun than the toy.

Say A Prayer

I am not a religious person, not in a structured way. I am traditional and ethnic. I follow cultural guidelines and celebrate holidays in my own way. I do not do it in a formal setting because I feel that god lives within me and where I go, he goes. I do not need to go into a building to speak to him. We are on very friendly terms and he is accessible to me 24/7. Each day when I get up, I say a prayer. It is the same one each day. It has almost become a mantra. I say thanks for what I have, thanks for looking out for me, and what I plan to do that, day that will help others. Faith is believing in something we do not see or cannot touch. I have Faith. Faith that whatever should happen, will happen. I believe in the book of life. So it is written, so it is done.

Passing The Exit

Anyone who knows me well, has heard me say that one day I will "pass the exit". What I mean by this, is that on my way to work I will just pass the exit and continue on to Massachusetts. I know that the day is coming closer. Passing the exit means that I will be escaping the responsibilities of life, if only for a few days. Running away, so to speak. To a place where the people ask nothing from me. A place where my needs are a priority. People who want nothing more than to see me relaxed and stress free. Passing the exit started off as a joke, but now it is becoming a reality. Sometimes we all need to change our environment, even if it is only for a few days. A time to regroup and regain our composure. Sometimes passing the exit really means getting back on track.