August 18, 2006 Chautauqua

From the Editor's Computer  

   Technology, I’m afraid to say, is not infallible.  As much as we prefer to think otherwise, that is the sad truth.

   In fact, technology is most likely to fail you right at that exact moment that you are counting on it the most.

   How many times have you been on the phone either waiting for someone to give you some information off the computer, or you’re the person with the information on a computer that is oh so reluctant to cooperate?

    How many times have you been faced with a deadline only to have your email go down, or the computer crash and all your work disappear?

    How many times has the power gone off at just the most inopportune time possible?

    How many times has the lawn mower worked, only to quit right at the moment you plan to mow the lawn because company is coming (or the Communities in Bloom judges)?

   For that matter, how many times has the vacuum cleaner quit as company is walking up the sidewalk?

   There are umpteen different pieces of technology that we use everyday without even thinking about it, until that one moment when it stops working properly.

   We are all going to be faced with a technological blip at some point in time.  When it happens, may the blip be brief and create the least amount of havoc in your life possible so that you can quickly get on with your day.

Beth

Read the complete issue of The Chautauqua here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1H9CaBvSeCE_NNEJsGFjA31Yx7L6vXKmy/view?usp=sharing

To contact The Chautauqua, email: thechautauqua@gmail.com.

August 4, 2006 Chautauqua

From the Editor's Computer  

   Every look you give another, every word you speak to another, everything you do (or don’t do) to another has a impact on that other person.

   Now before you start thinking that the world revolves around you and that you are powerful enough to change the course of the world and history, rest assured you’re not!

   In fact, most often when we are having the most impact on others we are totally unaware of our influence.

   I’m sure at some point in your life you’ve thought a friend was mad at you (though you couldn’t figure out why) because they ignored you in the grocery store or on the street.  Then you find out that they had something on their mind and truly had no idea you were even around.

   In the same way, without you even being aware of it, you are having a profound impact on friends, family, and even complete strangers.

     A glance at someone in a crowded room could give a wallflower some needed confidence, and yet, you have no memory of even seeing them.  A casual word shared at the checkout, that is overheard by a stranger further back in the line could be exactly what that person needed to hear to give them hope to continue on their life journey.

   There is no possible way you can know how profound an impact you have on the lives others around you.  Thus, you must live so that what you do is always encouraging people.

Beth

Read the complete issue of The Chautauqua here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1W3uUPX8y04LWuIeSUG1dGpQNzcH4Jksx/view?usp=sharing

To contact The Chautauqua, email: thechautauqua@gmail.com.