November 19, 2004 Chautauqua

From the Editor's Computer     

   Life is getting a little harried as I come to the end of another university course and begin working on the final project.  In the midst of that, I am also starting some projects at the library which need to be done by the end of the year.

   Also, we are approaching the time when Christmas parties, functions and shopping are coming up fast.  Remember...be responsible and look out for others.

   This year is rapidly drawing to a close.  I can’t believe how fast the days, weeks and months have been flying by.  Let us take a moment to breathe during this hectic time and reflect on the past year...on our accomplishments, on what we want to improve and on what direction we want our lives to go in the coming year. 

Beth

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November 5, 2004 Chautauqua

From the Editor's Computer     

   It is amazing what can be accomplished when everyone works together for a common goal...especially if the goal is going to help others.  The Hartel Benefit held last week is an excellent example of this.

   Businesses and individuals in the community joined forces and pulled together to make the special evening a night of fun, laughter, friendship, and support.  Each person did their part to make the evening a successful undertaking on all fronts.  Hats off to the organizers and everyone who was part of the Benefit evening.

   Rather than dwelling on what couldn't be done, or what they didn’t have, people looked at the possibilities and what they did have that they could share with others.  No one sat there and said, “This can’t be done” or “This will never work” or “We should just give up as this is too big an undertaking.”  No, participants gave and gave some more - giving support to a family in the community.

   The Hartel Benefit should be an example to all of us and our community organizations.  Anything CAN be done IF people care enough to do something.  

Beth

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October 15, 2004 Chautauqua

From the Editor's Computer     

     You never realize how much you depend on something until it is no longer there, or no longer the way it used to be.

   Over two weeks ago, I almost ripped my thumb nail off.  A minor inconvenience that I figured would heal and life would go back to normal.  Fine in theory, but it was my ‘left’ thumb nail, and I’m left-handed.  I never realized how much I use that thumb, and its nail, in my everyday routine, until suddenly I was without thumb usage.  While I am fairly adept at changing hand usage at whim, I still found it difficult to do some things with my right hand, that are usually a breeze with my left.

   It is amazing how the ‘little things’ of life have the greatest impact on our daily lives.  It is not the big events that we notice quite as much as the little things when something goes wrong.  Habits and routines can be disrupted by something as small as a sore thumb, just as easily as something major like a terminal illness.  We can let the ‘little things’ get to us, or we can rise above them. 

Beth

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October 1, 2004 Chautauqua

From the Editor's Computer     

   Due to renovations at the Library, I am enjoying an unexpected day off to myself. 

   Now, I could (if I wanted too) gripe and complain about how this is a big inconvenience…and it is an inconvenience, not only myself, but those wanting to use the library, or submit items for the paper.

   Instead, I am thrilled to bits.  This little, unexpected break is providing me with time to accomplish tasks that I thought I’d have to forgo this week due to time constraints.  As well, I am typing this editorial in a leisurely manner on Tuesday, rather than in a frantic rush on Wednesday, which means that the paper will get submitted at the proper time and I’ll be able to devote myself to studying on Wednesday.

   In life, we get unexpected breaks tossed our way - usually when we least expect it, but could sure use it.  Rather than griping and complaining about how our routine has been disrupted, we should savour these unexpected breaks for the bonuses they are.  Who hasn’t wished for one more day to accomplish a task, or for a couple hours just to themselves.

   Also, take time to enjoy the changing seasons.  Admire the changing leaves, walk out in the crisp fall air, rake some leaves together and then jump in them like a little kid, enjoy the garden produce and the fruit harvests.

   We have much to be thankful for in our world.  Let’s take the time to remember to appreciate and acknowledge our blessings.

   Happy Thanksgiving! 

Beth

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September 17, 2004 Chautauqua

From the Editor's Computer     

      In some readings I did of late, I came across a blurb on the concept of Kaizen.  While this has been mostly applied to business management in Japan, Kaizen can be applied to any area of life.

   In a nutshell, Kaizen is small continuous changes which over time result in big changes.

   If you want to make a change to a particular area of your life - professionally or personally - it is better to start with baby steps.  Do just one small action a day to move you further along the road to your goal.

   By taking baby steps, you won’t overwhelm yourself - a major reason why people start something new and then quit after mere days.  Also, you will be able to see the tangible changes that you are making, changes that are in manageable bite sizes.

   These baby steps can be very small...finding a pen so you can write down the next step...putting everything for the next task in one convenient location...making one phone call (or just looking up the number so you can make the call!).

   Start off small, but be consistent.  It is only by consistency that the job will get done or the change will occur.  Doing one action a day will add up quickly to more and more actions.

   What is the one thing that you wish to change, improve, enhance or learn this fall...take the first baby step to accomplishing that goal.  Good luck! 

Beth

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September 3, 2004 Chautauqua

From the Editor's Computer     

   It is getting to be that time of year again...the leaves are starting to change colour and drift earthward, the days are getting shorter, there is a definite nip in the air, people are starting to pull out their jackets and fall wardrobes, farmers are harvesting (weather permitting!) and garden produce is being taken in and prepared for winter storage.

   Children are back in school (myself included!) and it is time for the various clubs, organizations and activities to resume for another season.  Registration and sign up nights are scheduled to assist you in deciding what to take part in.

   We all have our usual organizations we’re involved in, but now is the time to reflect on why we’re in the groups we’re in.  If you feel that your contribution makes a difference, or that belonging to something fills a need you have, great.  On the other hand, if you only sign up because you always have and it has become habit, or a dead weight, maybe it’s time to think again.

   All of us have a basic need to contribute to the large world around us, and all of us want to feel that our contribution matters to the whole.  If you don’t have that sense that what you do is important, perhaps it is time to leave that group in someone else’s capable hands as you go off to find a group where your unique talents and expertise will be an asset.

   We all have a special niche in community life.  Have you found yours? 

Beth

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August 20, 2004 Chautauqua

From the Editor's Computer     

   Figuring out the best layout for the paper is like putting together a jigsaw puzzle.  Only in this case, there are sometimes a multitude of possible places to put a particular ‘piece.’

   Sometimes it is very easy to plan the layout as everything just falls into place - pictures are the right size, there is just the right about of text in a certain article, the perfect ad fills up the awkward sized space.  Sometimes it is more challenging and I am left with lots of pieces that don’t fit in the many holes.  That is when I have to get creative and toss in a quotation box or two!

   Unlike a jigsaw puzzle that comes in a box, I don’t have a ‘big picture’ to use as a guide, as I am creating the ‘picture’ as I go along.

   Our lives are like a jigsaw puzzle too.  Often we have a handful of experiences (puzzle pieces) and no obvious places to add them to the puzzle, but they all fit and they all contribute to the final ‘picture’ of your life. 

   Often it is only by looking back, or looking at the situation from a different perspective, that we see how the pieces interlock together forming a more beautiful picture than we could ever have imagined.

   How are the varied pieces of your life creating a beautiful scene? 

Beth

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August 6, 2004 Chautauqua

From the Editor's Computer     

   I don’t know about you, but I find it hard to believe that we are already almost through one whole week of August! 

   The summer has gone by so fast.  The YEAR has been going by so fast!

   Every year it seems that our lives get just a little faster and a little bit more frantic.  We try to cram more and more into the same 24-hour days that everyone has, and it doesn’t work. 

   More often than not, we find ourselves with a long list of to-do’s, or someday-projects, and no time to do them.  Yet, we yearn to complete these items, knowing full well that something has got to give.

   Too many times, we sacrifice our health, our family, our friends, our sanity to try and do more in the few hours and days allotted to us.  We frantically rush from one thing to anther, accomplishing nothing and getting no where.

   Just because the world we live in is on fast-forward doesn’t mean we have to live our lives on fast-forward.  We all have the power of choice and we can all exercise that power.

   We need to consciously choose to slow down, to take more time and to enjoy the moment we are in.

   How many times have you done something, or gone to something, and afterwards someone asked you how it was...and you don't know!  This is either because you were worried about a past event, or because you were stewing over a future event, and you weren’t paying attention to where you were.

   In order to slow down, we need to step off the freeway of life and enjoy the scenery on the roadside.  Take the time to watch a sunrise or sunset (or both!), watch children at play, take a break from your work to just relax and breath easy.  Reconnect with friends.  Take one thing out of your schedule and use that free time to do something relaxing and special just for you.  Above all else, enjoy life!

Beth

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July 16, 2004 Chautauqua

From the Editor's Computer     

   This past week I took a trip back in history as I read through some old papers that belonged to my paternal grandfather. 

   The collection included rough drafts of letters he sent, replies from government officials, receipts, invoices, newspaper clippings, and more.  There was even a copy of the special supplement of the Swift Current Herald, dated November 11, 1918 (time: 7:30 pm) announcing that “Detailed Armistice Terms As Accepted.”  There were catalogues and flyers from the 1040s.  All in all, the dates ranged from the early 1910s to the 1980s.

   It was an interesting experience going through the papers and such, reading about events that shaped the lives of my grandparents, aunts and uncles, and dad - events that have only been textbook history to me.

   Some of the issues that were mentioned in the correspondence (particularly from the 1920s and 1930s) included homesteading (there were apparently underground noises that had to be investigated on Grandpa’s Saskatchewan homestead, these could not be resolved, so he took out a homestead in the Crow’s Nest Pass), relief (the requests for and rejections) and the difficulty in finding work during that period, minimum wage (the corruption of the Minimum Wage Act in the lumber mills) and the injustice of criminals roaming around free, while the innocent man is targeted if he dares to say anything. 

   It was fascinating to see the income tax forms from the early 1940s.  Very simple to fill out...put down how much you made from your job, find that amount in the chart, go across to your status (single, married, dependents) and then submit the amount in the column.  Piece of cake!

   Some of the items raised more questions than they answered, but it was all a fascinating glimpse of a time past...not necessary a better time or easier time, but a different was of  life for those who lived on the Prairies.

 

Beth

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July 2, 2004 Chautauqua

From the Editor's Computer     

   I have the opportunity to attend a very special, and emotional, graduation ceremony last Friday.  While there were 11 grads on the stage, one in particular was singled out for a little extra special treatment.

   Donna Peterson is retiring from Alix MAC after numerous years of teaching.  To honour her contributions to the staff and students, they held a ‘graduation’ ceremony as she ‘graduates’ from school to a new life.

   While I graduated from MACC (that is not a typo, there were 2 C’s when I went to school there), I did not have the opportunity to be taught by Donna.  I do remember seeing her in the school, and at school functions, where, more often than not, she played the piano when we sang “O Canada.”

   I was impressed, not only by the ceremony itself, but by the love and affection that the staff and students have for Donna.  It was a treat to see her son, Jeff, demonstrate some of her unique Mom-isms!  Surrounded by her family (including her father) and friends, Donna was centre stage as we paid tribute to her many contributions through the years.

   All of us impact those around us everyday, but it is often a teacher who has the most profound and lasting impact on a youngster’s life.

   Donna, while you may never know exactly what it was that you said or did that was the defining moment in one of your former student’s lives, please know that you did have a positive impact on many, both in your class and outside.  Thank you for the memories! 

Beth

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June 18, 2004 Chautauqua

From the Editor's Computer     

  It seems like I have been talking about education with a lot of people lately - public education (which has lots of problems right now), home-schooling (good option if it works for you) and university (what is my main focus these days).

   Sometimes we have to take a course or learn something, not because the material is relevant or applicable, but because it is an opportunity to learn something new and give our brains a workout.

   Sometimes we actually get to study something that no only makes sense, but is applicable to our lives, jobs, career or interests.  Such is the case with my graduate degree courses.  Each and every one has had some practical application to my library job, either in terms of improving tasks I already do, or in introducing me to new tasks and methods that make the job so much easier.

   While formal education is important, no matter what level you participate in, informal (just for fun) learning is important too.  We are surrounded by opportunities to explore and find out more about the various things around us.  When was the last time you picked up a book on a topic you knew nothing about?  Or talked to someone about their hobby, a hobby which you have no experience in?  Lifelong learning is a lifelong habit. 

Beth

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June 4, 2004 Chautauqua

From the Editor's Computer     

   I am a fan of "Anne of Green Gables."  If you are too, you will remember Anne's neighbour, Rachel Lynn.  The best line that Mrs. Lynn ever uttered, in my estimation, was "You are never safe from surprises until you're dead."  I believe that is very true.

   It all started back in April, when my laptop (which I use to put this publication together) decided to experience difficulties with the screen.  Not a huge problem...I just borrowed, and plugged in, a monitor for the duration until the necessary part was ordered. 

   Then, my modem and internet connection decided to go on the fritz.  Now that caused me a little bit more concern as most of my contributions come in email form, and I have to access the internet for further information.  Again, not the end of the world, I was able to access my emails at the library and forward them to a friend who very nicely downloaded the articles and photos to a CD so I could use them.  It resulted in a little more ingenuity on my part, but I was able to get out the second issue in May without too many headaches.

   Just when I thought life was going to return to normal as the part arrived to fix all my computer woes, it was discovered that I had more serious hardware problems than first anticipated...and I ended up without my computer for a week while they tried to do something about it.  End result...I needed a new machine and I just didn't have time to fit that into my already busy life as it was time for yet another issue of the paper to come out.

   Hold onto your seat cause it gets better!  My online graduate course began on June 1st...which requires a computer with a working modem and internet connection.  I wasn't too worried until, SURPRISE!, my course was changed to a ONE (very intensive) month course due to scheduling conflicts. Now things were starting to get a little hairy!!

   Life is not always a smooth ride and we will be faced with many surprises...some good and some that don't seem so good at first glance.  We need to be flexible to bend with the winds of adversity and we also need to have the right attitude so that when these surprises occur, we are not overwhelmed or broken. 

   Are you bending with the wind? 

Beth

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May 21, 2004 Chautauqua

From the Editor's Computer     

   It is interesting how each of us have our own preferences and ideal ways to spend a day.  In our minds each of us has the ideal form of work we’d like to do.

   Last week I was helping put the finishing touches on this year’s BoomTown Trail Tales for the Trail.  Even though it took hours, I was thoroughly enjoying the process and watching the various pages take shape.  My co-worker in this venture thought she was being tortured!  I was doing something that comes fairly naturally to me, while my co-worker was struggling to accomplish something she knew she had to do.  As we were approaching the ten hour mark (and seemed no closer to finishing than we’d been at the five hour mark), my co-worker could not believe that I do precisely what we were doing that day, every two weeks.  It boggled her mind.

   If you are fortunate enough to have found a calling that renews you, no matter how many hours you have to spend on it - and if you really love it, time is meaningless - then you have found a gold mine.  You will be enriched and will grow as a person every time you approach that particular task.  Work will seem more like play, and you will feel relaxed and refreshed even after hours and hours.

   While I love what I do, and it seems more like I’m playing than working, the job itself is not perfect.  Things go wrong and there are always areas for improvement.  I really enjoy the whole process a lot more when computer equipment is working properly and people submit their items on time.

   There is no perfect job, but there is a job that is perfectly suited for you.  Have you found that job yet? 

Beth

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May 7, 2004 Chautauqua

From the Editor's Computer     

   After the past week and a half of various challenges coming my way, I have determined that there are two main reasons why troubles and problems come into our lives.

   The first reason, I believe, is to stretch our minds and make us become more creative.  When the usual solutions don't work, there is nothing else to do, but to come up with a more creative solution.  It then becomes a challenge to find the right resource to get the right support...whether a person or information.  It then truly becomes a case of "who you know" which makes the difference between success or more problems.  If you can’t get in the front door or the back door, you have to come up with an innovative means of entering through the window of opportunity.  Above all else, one must never give up.

   The second reason is so that we end up owing our friends for major favours!  If you are lucky, your friends won't actual keep a score card as to who owes whom more!  While we are individuals, we are not isolated.  We need other people to support and help us when life is more challenging than usual.  As well, others may have expertise or talents which we haven’t developed.  Each of us has an unique contribution to make to others, and if we can help those around us, so much better.  It is true that two heads are better than one, and three or more can generate multiple ideas.

    So, to all my friends who helped me out during this challenging time...THANKS! 

Beth

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