I have learned that identifying and posting a lesson every day is not nearly as easy as it seemed at the start of the year. I don’t always learn something new to share every day. I’m going to need more help for this!
Month: April 2010
Thanks, Universe!
Just when I was at loss for words for my friend who just lost a dear friend, and who I already knew was a big VH fan, this literally came across my screen:
To love another person is to see the face of God –Victor Hugo
Take a Peek
I have learned that my confidence often exceeds my actual knowledge. Sometimes this doesn’t matter. But when driving, it’s mighty handy to take a glance at that map or fire up that GPS just for a moment, and find out generally where I’m going, before I head there, even if I’m pretty “sure” I know where I’m going.
Dropped Call
I have learned that our WebEx accounts are linked to our Teleconferencing accounts in such a way that if you are hosting and close the WebEx session you hang up on everyone on the phone. Whoops!
Just Another Meal
I have learned that while I love Family Dinners, and always have, it’s also really nice to just have something to eat and call it good.
Never buy a pillow with a “Lifetime Warranty”
From Dave U:
So I’m always seeking the perfect pillow. I was at Bed Bath & Beyond and found what seemed ideal, and it even boasted a lifetime warranty. Pillow was firm, yet soft… supportive yet supple. Then I got it home and it was like sleeping on a marshmallow. I spent a week thinking I could break it in, but no…. I’ve since beaten it, washed it, jumped on it, flattened it, beaten it again. The pillow lives on in all it’s marshmallow-y puffiness. I do, however, fully believe in their warrant, but I’ve come to realize that they’re only able to offer it by making their pillows out of a material more suitable for highway safety impact barriers.
Little Person, Big Impact
From Katey S:
The second lesson is that new babies/children in a family have a way of changing the relationships in a huge way, and mostly for the better!
That Comma Can Cost You
From Sal’s friend Katey S: two lessons for two days!
“The first is one that you taught Sally that I am constantly having to teach other people. It is the justification for the comma before “and” in a list of items. I knew the comma was important but couldn’t explain it well until Sally shared the example you used… of a will. If someone passed away and stated in her will she wanted to leave “$150,000 to Tom, Dick, and Harry” then Tom, Dick, and Harry would each get $50,000. But, if the will stated “$150,000 to Tom, Dick and Harry” (missing the imperative comma) then Tom would get $75,000 and Dick and Harry would each get $37,500. Big difference! Especially to Dick & Harry! I know it’s not exactly a moral mind-blowing life lesson, but boy people like to leave that comma out!
Note: This exact legal example came from a Business Writing class I attended in 1998. Different style guides have different opinions, but this held up in court for “Harry”, who actually got 50%, according to our teacher.
Shine On
From Raveen:
“People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in… their true beauty is revealed only if there is light from within.” ~Elisabeth Kübler-Ross
Be Kind and Merciful
This is the actual quote sent to me by the Mediation Society of Australia ( http://meditation.org.au/ )
“Be kind and merciful. Let no one ever come to you without coming away better and happier. Be kind and merciful. Let no one ever come to you without coming away better and happier. Be the living expression of God’s kindness. – Mother Teresa”
So I googled it (April 1 is THE best day to Google I mean Topeka) to see if it was redundant on purpose and no, Mother Teresa is not quoted elsewhere as saying the first part twice but maybe it just needs to be said twice.
Daughters: Is the shortcut to this familar? Y/Y?
Jane's Lessons Learned 