contemporary

My TV Family

Backstory

Men watch TV differently. Where there are situations to remember, from one episode to the next, they forget. Sometimes I think they are just watching the pretty pictures.

Women, on the other hand, get involved in the plots, the characters, and the drama. It’s like the family on TV is mine and I have to worry about them and care about them. Their fate is in the hands of those pesky writers who can save or sacrifice my favorite TV family members, any time they want.

My TV Family

Do you have a favorite TV show? One that you drop everything to watch? You may have followed your favorite TV characters for years and years; some of them have been on the air for so long.

And now, Amazon and Netflix give you the blessed opportunity to watch one episode after another. Binge, without commercials.

I caught an episode of Grey’s Anatomy at the part where Dr. Yang was given a hospital to run, in Switzerland. Dr. McDreamy was still alive and well-coifed, the two women doctors are still married.

My husband had never watched West Wing, the series about cut-throat DC politics that came on the air in 1999. Netflix has all seven seasons. After the first two episodes, he was addicted, and we binge-watched those shows for weeks on end. He noted that the same issues stumping leaders inside the Beltway then are still confounding politicians, twenty years later.

I can just see the writers of these shows, determining the destiny of one character or another. Knocking this one off. Bringing that one back. Creating a horrific incident – only then to reveal – it was all a dream.

What God-like powers they have. What will they allow to happen next, to your favorite character? Gotta go tune in and find out! See ya later.

P.S. Bill and I have enjoyed many seasons of the series Suits. Especially when our favorite character, Rachael (Megan Markle) began dating the British prince in real life. We went back and watched every episode of West Wing – scripted so long ago yet so current. Makes you want to ask the politicians – “Did we learn anything?” More recently, we were entranced by the family locked in drama in the multiple seasons of Succession. What are some of your favorite binge-able TV shows?

[Show #661]

Fast Forward

Backstory

An observation – Everything takes longer than it used to! Unrecognized passwords, new regulations, changed business hours, and absent staffers all take extra time. What can be done to get us back on track?

Fast Forward

I wake up before 6 a.m. on Monday. That’s my good writing time. Brain fresh, ideas conjured up overnight ready to spill out.

After a few cups of coffee, I glance at the clock and realize it’s nearly time to fix lunch. Turn my head a few times, and we’re watching late-night TV. Wake up the next day, and its Friday.

Wait a minute . . . wait a minute! WHERE DID THE WEEK GO? Who put our world on fast forward?

As a child, I can remember time practically standing still. The days were so long. It was hard to find things to fill in ALL those hours!

Today, the time goes zipping past. And modern marvels like cell phones and computers only seem to eat up time, instead of saving it.

Sure, the Internet brings us information instantly. But then you have to wade through it, and sift it, I figure it will take five minutes to find an answer. An hour later, I know more about the subject than I will ever use, and my “to-do” list has 11 items not yet done.

One thing for sure. Every minute is precious when you see it disappear this quickly.

This is one minute today that I really enjoyed because I got to spend it with you. Thanks for that.

P.S. Your comments, in response to the stories you listen to and read here, are always welcome. Scroll down and speak from your heart.

[Show #447]

Late Breaking Thanks

Backstory

You’ve probably received many thanks over the years. But how many do you remember? This story tells how to give thanks that are memorable and appreciated – especially if they are in a handwritten note.

Late Breaking Thanks

When you receive a gift, you no doubt give thanks to the giver. Your appreciation might be stated verbally, or penned in a thank you card, or sent through cyberspace. Or you may let everyone know you got a gift by thanking the giver on Facebook or Twitter. And that’s usually the end of the transaction.

But think about giving thanks again later. That’s when the giver will know you really did like the gift, and use it and enjoy it.

When you’ve worn that sweater for the 10^th time – tell the giver again how comfortable it is and how you think of them every time you wear it.

When that plant flowers for the fourth time and brings you joy – let the giver know how their gift keeps giving.

When your son is grown, tell him again how much you enjoyed the ashtray he crafted for you in second grade. Let your daughter know you still have that handprint she gave you for Mother’s Day when she was in the first grade.

Presents are such energizing things. They are worth far more than simple thanks at the time of their presentation. Bring them to life again years later just by renewing your thanks. You’ll conjure up sweet memories and smiles.

If you’re really lucky, you may hear from someone to whom you gave a gift long ago. Then you’ll know how good it feels to get late-breaking thanks.

P.S. Equally appreciated are late-breaking thanks to those providing help. The Samaritan who returns your lost cell phone . . . The neighbor who holds your parking space . . . The relative who can always be counted on as a last-minute babysitter. Make sure they all know how grateful you are for their help.

[Show #461]

More Need Help

Backstory

When the pandemic and lock-down surged forward, many proud Americans found themselves in a compromising position. Their situation called for behavior and emotions unknown to them.

Click to listen or follow below to read.

More Need Help – #294

Recent years have brought new struggles to families here. People who never before needed help, suddenly cannot be as independent as before. They may reach out to relatives to share living quarters. They may not be able to make ends meet. They may need the help of food stamps or food banks, or even shelters.

When you’re too proud to show you need help, things may only continue to get worse. You can find yourself reeling from the effects on you and your family. It takes a tremendous amount of strength and will to pull through times like this.

Perhaps the most courage of all is being willing to ask for help. When you’re not used to needing help, it’s not easy to speak up.

If you are in this position, I urge you to work up the courage. Reach out and let someone know what you need. It may not be a lot but with some help you may be able to make it through with a lot less pain.

There are people who can help you get through the official system. There are people who will help you privately, quietly, with compassion. From churches, community groups, neighbors, sponsors, you may be surprised to find out how many ways people can and will help.

But it can only happen if they know you need help. It’s okay. When you’re back on your feet you can help others again. For all the caring you’ve done in the past, let someone help you now.

P.S.

Seniors found generous new help. Those sheltering in place at home were concerned about exposure to the virus by grocery shopping or fast food pick up. Dozens of sources sprung up to provide food delivery to the front porch. All they had to know was who needed it.

[Show #294]

SPECIAL EDITION . . . Post Lockdown – The Next Role of Mature Americans

A FOUR MINUTE READ

With a future uncertain and COVID-19 still with us, normalcy is an illusion. Opening strategies will change from region to region. The post-lockdown demand will be high to “get going.”

Chances are that you are a major decision maker in your household. You are considered the rock. Others look up to you and value your decisions. They will look to you for guidance in this new, unprecedented era.

NEW DECISIONS

With this responsibility, we need to figure out how to arrange our lives depending on our individual case. not what the media has to say. As new opportunities to venture out open, we must balance risk with benefits, on a very local basis with our family and our own best interests in mind.

Amidst confusion and contradiction, you will be required to make swift changes. You have to decide who to trust and what to believe. It’s now all trial and error, no matter what anybody says. None of us has ever been here before.

MISTAKES

The thing about decisions is – you are going to make mistakes. Some may just get you off track a bit. Others could cause tragedy. Don’t let early mistakes cripple future decisions. You are expected to pick up the pieces and keep moving forward. There’s no time to curl up and grieve.

Your adult children are going to make mistakes too, as they navigate through the bizarre future. Those errors will hurt; they affect precious grandchildren. But everyone is weaving their way through the weeds without a GPS. As a pivotal person in your family, continue to be a safe place to land.

In recent months, we have seen and felt fear, suffering and loss, vividly different in each family. If yours included inconvenience, meals at home every day and a shortage of TP, you’re one of the lucky ones. If you have a financial foothold that will see you through, you are truly blessed. So many do not.

During lockdowns, we’ve learned the value of time to pay attention to those we love. The luxury of that free time may well disappear as we get acclimated to the demands of living with COVID-19 and proceeding with life.

RELATIONSHIPS MAY CHANGE

Some of those valued relationships may drop under the weight of the new decisions to be made. Your mom may think the kids were let out too soon. The business owner spouse may think it’s not soon enough. Civil wars could erupt in families. Be ready to defuse the rhetoric.

Think in advance of what your role may be, in the new normal. Imagine a time checkered with mask-wearing, camera-toting and the scent of sanitizer or Clorox on a hand unwilling to shake yours.

CHILDREN AND TEENS

Children were kept busy and taught during lockdown. Parents figured out how to provide continuity during disruption. Now plan for next semester. Keep an eye out for different education tools newly available or pending.

Remember how teenagers needed comfort and accommodation when this all started and their long-anticipated graduations and proms crumbled to the ground. You assured them there would be a tomorrow with new opportunities.

In the months ahead, they will need a new kind of assurance. The ground Is swirling beneath them. Help them to identify their strengths and where they can fit in as an employee or a student or both, in the new future.

Expect emotion from anger, rejection and despair to utter joy, as unexpected happenings occur, including opportunities and delays. Be ready to sooth insecure thoughts and shore up courage.

ENDANGERED SPECIES – OVER 65

Those over 65 with extra weight, type 2 diabetes, and medical issues continue to be at high risk. How many seniors in your world does that include? Very possibly the majority. You help them survive by staying away.

The silver generation has little choice but to bunker down at home. Galas are a fond memory. Grandparents don’t thrive in a culture where generational hugs are forbidden.

However, seniors who remain safe at home actually have little change from normal life. Their maturity helps. They’ve seen a lot, have handled crises before, and have more resources and resilience than you may imagine.

Sheltering in place has the most consequences for retirement-aged employees. Consider your health robust and return to work? Or take the safe route and finally pull up a front porch rocker?

This new era is birthing a major new wave of software and social media that may leave seniors in the dust. Just when they conquered ZOOM, along comes TikTok and Messenger Room.

NEW THINKING

Staying at home, many people have had the time to consider new concepts of how to live their life. Some have developed ideas on how to improve the world. Others are using the pattern-interrupt caused by the pandemic to establish new behaviors, attitudes and habits to bring into the new future.

NEW WORK CULTURE

For the new work world, skills will be sharpened – or changed – depending on where you land on the career ladder. You will see new manufacturing, astounding new software, and new global competition. Not just USA, China and Russia. Watch for other regions to pop up. Success will come from the different status and approaches taken daringly during the pandemic.

People who never worked from home found that they preferred it. This is your chance to get more of it. Others who lost their position got up the courage to offer their talents in the new marketplace as an entrepreneur. People are dragging out and polishing up former skills and experience as they recognize new openings for employment or innovation, post-lockdown.

Take a hard look at the new work culture. What are the new needs? How quickly will those needs disappear? What is likely to replace those needs? People sewed masks, made videos, delivered meals. What else can we do? Jump out of the box to think unconventionally and from new perspectives.

OLD OR NEW?

The unbelievable happening of a global pandemic shook us into re-thinking the way we do so many things. As we start coming back, do we just put the pieces back together? Or do we create a new and more evolved world that includes the values we’ve recognized anew in recent months.

Lots of decisions to make in the months and years to come about how we recover from this crisis. Be open to change. Don’t be defined by what we lost to this virus but by how we responded to it and what we gained.

BUILDING THE FUTURE

We have been sheltering in place. That role is over. Now is the time to take our place in the new world unfolding before our eyes. We can be powerful role models. We are beautifully strong souls. Let’s pilot direction for our families. We may have to be courageous and take a leap in some areas. Let’s help find a silver lining in this mess.

Make your decisions with a new vision. Not a snapshot that shows only your world in tiny focus. Rather, take a panoramic view of the diversity of age, race, gender, spirit and interests around you.

Take your place with strength and confidence – even if that confidence is a bit shaky right now. Be ready to change on a dime as circumstances reverse, loses occur and needs go back and forth

Your life is a narrative still being written. Who you are, what you do and what you say matters today and impacts tomorrow. Let’s fulfill our part in building and occupying the new future.

Annette E. Petrick
https://considerthisradioshow.com/

Job Hopping

Backstory

Seems that every time friends talk about their grown children, they have a new job. What is all this job hopping about? I decided to look into it.

Click to listen or follow below to read.

Job Hopping – #620

Millennials have a reputation for job hopping. Some say it’s because they don’t get an immediate fancy title or big promotion. The truth is, they usually move on when they have stopped growing or don’t feel appreciated.

Regardless of their responsibilities, everyone wants to feel that they count; that their work makes a difference. They want to feel significant.

The boss feels significant, looking out at the big picture. Most employees, however, do not have this overview. They only know the things they do daily, over and over.

Leaders who keep millennials thriving on the job help them connect the dots and see how their work contributes to the success of the organization. It must be presented in terms that employees can understand and appreciate.

People who don’t feel appreciated are often the first to burn out or jump ship. Successful leaders actively find ways to show others that their value is appreciated.

You see it happen on the TV show, “Under Cover Boss.” Posing as someone else, the boss goes on the line and hands-on discovers those who go above and beyond the call of duty.

Even if you can’t go undercover, you can pay more attention to find out what’s really going on in your business and who deserves credit.

Remember – show appreciation, show how and why each person is significant and reward those who go the extra mile.

P.S.

At home too, words kindness and recognition are appreciated. Be sure grandma knows how much her true home cooking is treasured. Thank the kids for setting the table or discarding their phone before they sit down for dinner. Compliments and happy thoughts are easy to come by – and they are free

[Show #620]