October 21, 2005 Chautauqua

From the Editor's Computer     

 

   Off and on for the past fifteen years I’ve flirted with the idea of becoming a computer guru.  Some days it seems like the perfect career choice.  Fortunately, I end up in a situation which rips the rose coloured specs off and reminds me why I don’t like computers enough to make a career out of them.

   Don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against computers, or using them to accomplish various tasks.  My bone of contention with them comes into play when I have to deal with hardware problems, and software/programming glitches - generally, any situation or problem requiring tech support to resolve.  Or when I have to complete a whole course on automation issues. 

   Thanks to this course I’m working on, I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that I am not meant to be a library computer tech or automation expert or systems analyst. 

   Sometimes we need to experience a little of what we don’t want in order to focus on discovering what we do want.  Sometimes it is easier to eliminate items, rather than add them, to our list of what we want to do in life.  When you find out you dislike a certain activity, be glad and then eliminate it from your life.

   In the meantime, I’ll make sure I always have at least one computer guru as a friend! 

Beth

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October 7, 2005 Chautauqua

From the Editor's Computer     

   Sometimes things just don't work out right in our lives.  It doesn’t matter what we do, what we say, or how we feel, things just go in a different direction than we want them to.

   I’ve been having one of those weeks where it seems like everything is falling apart, not moving, or not going how I’d like it to go.

   My studies aren’t progressing the way I’d like them too (doesn’t help that I started the course three weeks behind everyone else due to late textbooks) and I discovered I can’t submit my assignments as my professor is out of touch with a family medical emergency.   Tasks I want to complete at work and at home aren’t getting done for various reasons.  I’m in the midst of a couple strained friendships, and that barely scratches the surface!

   Sometimes when things seem to fall apart, we need to let go of our desire to control the outcome and just let them. Let the computer not work, let the other person be mad at you, let yourself be frustrated, tired and miserable.

   Everything happens for a reason and the timing is always right.  The frustrating delay right now could be just what you need to allow you time to accomplish something else. The problems in your friendships could give you an opportunity to reach out to someone else who needs a friend.  It could be that you need to slow down and take care of yourself. 

Beth

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September 16, 2005 Chautauqua

From the Editor's Computer     

  I was reading a book on Celtic Wisdom not that long ago.  One of the pieces of ‘ancient wisdom’ imparted was that we all live by a three-fold principle.  The three parts are:

1. The necessity to suffer.
2. The necessity to accept change.
3. The importance of choice, or the exercise of free will.**

   The Celts believed that suffering is a gift.  We know that we are going to experience pain and suffering throughout our lives, so why not learn from it, embrace the experience to grow into a better, stronger person, and then let go of the pain and move on.

   It is said that the only constant in life is change.  The Celts realized that while change comes in our lives from forces outside of us, it is what is inside of us that determines how we respond to the challenges of change in our lives.  Again, embrace the growth and learning, but release the pain and misery.

   Often we make a decision, but we don’t follow through...or we hope by not making a certain decision our lives will not change.  It is the first two parts that make the third so important...many things will happen to you but nothing will remove from you your option to choose.  You are the one in control of your life and it is you who must chart your course.  

**Clan of the Goddess by C.C. Brondwin

Beth

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September 2, 2005 Chautauqua

From the Editor's Computer 

   For as long as I can remember, I’ve been a fan of chuckwagon racing.  Not the chariots, not the pony chucks, but the big chucks!

   For years the highlight of my summer was listening to the races from the Calgary Stampede on the radio.  It was so thrilling to listen to the action and wonder who would win.

   Life got even more exciting in the past three years as the World Professional Chuckwagon Association (WPCA) tour is broadcast for all the locations on the tour...10 races plus the Calgary Stampede.

   Each year I pick who I’ll cheer for based on their current standings, who has the best chance of winning, or just who I feel inclined to have as a favourite.

   This year I decided I’d better be cheering for a local guy...Reg Johnstone.  I wasn’t disappointed as Reg led the way with a number of wins going into the Calgary Stampede.

   While he had a few bumps and nudges with the barrels in a few of the races, Reg still came out a winner at Red Deer’s World finals in August.

   Congratulations to Reg Johnstone, the Bashaw Flash! World Professional Chuck Wagon Driver of the Year...first time he’s ever won this honour.

   And don't worry...I’ll be cheering for you all the way in the 2006 WPCA tour! 

Beth

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August 19, 2005 Chautauqua

From the Editor's Computer     

   Earlier this week we had various family members visiting us.  There was lots of storytelling, sharing and laughter.

   It is interesting how when family members get together, and the stories start emerging, the different perspectives you gain of people you thought you knew.

   Older family members relate stories of other relatives at a younger age, when involved in different activities, and had a different relationship.  You gain insight into aspects of personalities that you never had before.  Sometimes your burning questions as to why so-in-so acts in such a way are answered, and sometimes more questions are revealed.

   Sometimes shared memories trigger forgotten memories and open the door to deeper sharing.  Of course, there is also the chance that memories are revealed that someone thought were safely hidden. 

   We are all compilations of all the personalities within our families...the good, the bad, the sane and the insane.  We should be proud of our family histories and keep our own stories alive. 

   Pass the torch to the younger generation so that they can keep the family personality alive.  And if you are visiting relatives this summer...remember, no matter how bad they are, you can always go home!  

Beth

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August 5, 2005 Chautauqua

From the Editor's Computer 

  Sometimes when I’m asked where I get my ideas for my editorials, it is very tempting to give the glib reply, “Sometimes I sits and thinks, and sometimes I just sits.”

   While doing some Internet research over the weekend, I accidentally came across a website that sells ideas to people “who want to write but don’t know what to write about.”  I also discovered that particular site is not unique in that there are a variety of sites which are selling ideas, for a variety of prices.

   Ideas are everywhere around us.  Want to write a letter or email to a friend?  Look at what’s going on around you.  Want to write the great Canadian novel?  What’s going on in your community that you could get ideas from (don’t mention specific people by name, they may not like it, especially if you cast them as the villain!).  Want to write an emotionally gripping poem?  What is going on in your life, what emotions are you dealing with, which you could express on paper?  What is going on around you that you can find humour in?

   Ideas are floating on the air all around you, you just need to open your eyes, ears, and heart to recognize them. 

   And...if you do write the great Canadian novel…I think 2% of your royalties would be a fair price for the ideas I’ve shared with you!  

Beth

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July 15, 2005 Chautauqua

From the Editor's Computer    
  

 Summer is here and the days are hotter!  Enjoy your vacation, if you are lucky enough to have one during the summer.  If you are not planning a vacation, take a day or two and road-trip around our area...there are lots of ‘hidden treasures’ just waiting to be discovered.  Spend time relaxing with friends and family.  Drink lots of water, wear sunscreen and don’t let the mosquitoes bite! 

Beth

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July 1, 2005 Chautauqua

From the Editor's Computer     

   Have you ever come across something that strikes you as absurdly funny?

   Last weekend I was shopping at Extra Foods in Ponoka.  There was a beautiful array of flowers and plants on the display outside in the parking lot.  The store employees had placed pylons around the plant displays to protect them from the vehicles.  Printed on the pylons were the words “Caution Wet Floor.” 

   As Mom and I were walking around these pylons to get to the store, and reading those words...the rain was just pounding down around us!

   Caution…Wet Floor! 

Beth

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June 17, 2005 Chautauqua

From the Editor's Computer     

   The Alix Public Library just completed the planning process and has identified its five-year and long-term goals.  Every organization usually has some form of planning process that they engage in on a regular basis.  A process that identifies where the organization has been, where it is, and where it is going.

   Individuals too should be making short-term and long-term plans for their future.  It is good to have a direction, focus and goal so that you can stay on track as you travel through life. 

   While goals are good, often what happens is that individuals get hung up on the minute details and forget the overall picture of what they hope to accomplish.  When the details don’t appear, or react, in the preconceived manner and the right time, many feel that they are failing at meeting their goals. 

   As long as you have a destination in mind and are traveling towards it, you will get there even if life throws you a few curves, or you are required to make a detour or two.  Focus on the big picture of what you want your life to look like, and the little details will take care of themselves.

   And when life doesn’t seem to go the way you want it too, remember, your goals haven’t been derailed, you’re just on a scenic detour. 

Beth

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June 3, 2005 Chautauqua

From the Editor's Computer     

   I was able to sleep on my own bed last Saturday night for the first time since November 21/04.  No longer do I have to camp out on the spare bed, or on the floor...despite years of floor sleeping at Guide camps and family outings, I think my body is getting too old to enjoy that novelty for any length of time.

   While we are bombarded with slogans and admonitions to watch out that we are not ‘getting stuck in a rut’ in our lives, there are some areas in our lives where consistency is a really good thing.  A comfortable mattress is one, but by no means the only area!   

   Changing just to change rarely works, and more often than not, backfires on the person or organization making the change.  Change that is the result of a spur-of-the moment enthusiastic burst of energy can bring about less than desirable results too.

   We should be continually striving to grow and stretch ourselves, get out of our ruts, challenge and change, but that growth work and change is best done from a solid, consistent base.  The basic structure of our lives - our values, beliefs, family, etc. - should be rooted and grounded, thereby enabling us to reach and grow knowing we have the security of a safety net to fall back on.  The deeper the roots, the taller the tree can grow. 

Beth

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May 20, 2005 Chautauqua

From the Editor's Computer     

   Each time I sit down to write an editorial I generally have a whole host of ideas and topics that I’ve been thinking about since the last editorial that I could share.  What usually seems to happen, more often than not, I am writing the editorial as the last item that needs completed before I send off the paper to the printer, so very little thought, time or effort goes into these endeavours.  (Except for this one which is being done early, but is short!!).

    We need to have a flexible personality and we need to be open to the opportunities around us.  Just because “we have always done it that way” doesn’t mean that we can’t explore a different path or direction.  If we want different results in our lives we have to do things differently.  If we want good things to happen...we have to be awake and willing to act when they happen!   

Beth

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May 6, 2005 Chautauqua

From the Editor's Computer     

   Number one is leadership. Everything else is number two. - Berthold Brecht

   An organization, business, committee, or any other grouping of people together for a specific purpose will be not be effective in meeting its goals or objectives if the leader is not effective. 

   The group will not move in a forward direction, if the leader is not looking in a forward direction to growth.  The group will not be able to weather the storms that inevitably arise (external and internal), if the leader is not strong enough to keep the group together.

   The importance of strong effective leadership is not stressed as much as it should be.  Often we take whoever wants to do the job (or who can’t say no!).  If we want our communities and their groups to survive, we need strong leaders.  

Beth

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April 15, 2005 Chautauqua

From the Editor's Computer     

   Spring is officially here.  The geese are back, the gophers are darting around drivers’ wheels, the pussy willows are out, and buds are starting to emerge on the trees.  Birds are chirping loudly every morning.

   Grass is getting greener and winter garments are being exchanged for lighter and thinner garb.  People are starting to think about working in their yards, and stores are stocking seeds.  More and more people are getting outside  to go for a stroll during these beautiful days.  

   Spring is a time of renewal and new growth.  Nature throws off the dreariness of winter and garbs herself in rich greens and bright flowers. 

   What I find to be most reviving about this spring, is the water in the ditches and low places.  It perks one up to see the dry places wet again.  The spring rains are also a welcome sight. 

   If you got in a rut over winter, allow this season of renewal and growth be a time of renewal and growth for you as you try something new. 

Beth

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April 1, 2005 Chautauqua

From the Editor's Computer     

   Everyone’s perception of a current situation is based upon their previous experience.

   I have completed the vast majority of my university studies via distance ed. (Athabasca) and on online.  Most of my undergrad courses involved a heavy workload, with not only lots of reading required, but lots of essays too.

   In comparison, the online graduate courses I have been working on, while still quite challenging mentally, really are considerably lighter in terms of workload - less reading as there is usually only one textbook, not five!  As well, instead of an 8 - 10 page essay (or even up to 12 - 14 pages), I’m required to write only 3 - 5 pages (and sometimes only 1 page!).

   In our online class discussion a few weeks ago, someone started comparing the workload of on-campus courses versus online courses, and some online courses from various universities (all in the US).

   While the other students were moaning and groaning about how much work we are required to do in our current online class as compared to the on campus students, I put in my two cents, letting them know that from my past experience, in comparison, what we were required to do was a breeze!  Needless to say, I’ve been severely outvoted in that regard.

   If you are used to only putting in the bare minimum of effort towards life, you will find it to be quite challenging and overwhelming when more is required of you. 

   On the other hand, if you are used to going the extra mile and giving more, you will not find it difficult to continue at that level, and you will appreciate it on those rare occasions when less effort is required.

   Are you feeling overwhelmed by the effort that life requires of you, or are you finding it a breeze?  

Beth

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