Gifts for the Boss

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Eighty-five percent of the players’ parents have made a donation toward a gift for our coach. I don’t want to say this gift is from the team, because some did not contribute. Am I being selfish?

GENTLE READER: No, just petty. Well, generous at the same time, Miss Manners acknowledges, because you wanted to do something for the coach.
But those who organize group presents often blithely assume that it is only fair that everyone divide the cost. And usually they have unilaterally declared the need, selected the item and declared the price. They then get angry, as you have, at those who do not pay, some of whom may have been unable to do so without hardship.
Please try to think of this, instead, as a team effort. When the team wins or loses, everyone does, even those who did not directly participate in that game.

School!

School starts Monday, August 20.

As with all the other years, both being a student and a teacher, this is a very exciting day. I love school!

FaceBook

Facebook is a noun, a verb, and often a hobby.
It is a free social media utility on the Internet, supported by advertising.
The user accepts "friends" -- those he wishes to stay in contact with.
The user can post pictures, respond to comments, see others' comments on a myriad of subjects and topics.

Facebookers post cute and clever sayings, posters, all designed to garner support with a "Like" button. If the content is agreeable, you hit Like. You can even make a smiley face or a heart to emphasize your point of view. If you like it or not, you are free to comment and state your opinion. Lots of opinions are posted. Since there is very little control of language, it often gets pretty rough. The smiley face sometimes softens the words. The number of exclamation points often rates the degree of agreement or opposition.

People deny using Facebook much the same way viewers denied watching TV in the '70s and '80s. The general view is that it is addictive and therefore the user is not in control. When in truth, the positive feedback helps to create the production of endorphins in our brains and makes for satisfying feelings, reinforcing emotions. We are a social creation. We need people.

Conversely, venting through posted pictures and posters with clever sayings, or advertising opinions to controversial subjects provides satisfaction for that "Boy-wish-I-would-have-said-that" feeling that accompanies the quick emotional response to the Enter button on the keyboard. The comment can be edited or deleted if the user changes his mind. That happens, too -- after he vents! This can start what is known as a "Facebook War."

Then, the user has the option of not only deleting or hiding comments or posts, he can delete friends! It's the ultimate rejection!

The screen, called the "wall" in Facebook language, shows commenters' dissatisfaction with Facebook and its seemingly arbitrary power that replaces their own power. "I hate Facebook." "No one comments on my stuff anymore." "I spend 'way too much time on Facebook.""I am leaving Facebook." "Good-bye, Facebook."

Then they log back on to see who responds to that!

This social media utility can be a great communication tool. Just keep it positive!!!! :) <3

Meekness

It takes an incredible amount of courage to stand mute before your accusers.

Did you plan this?

Have you ever thought back to what you were dreaming of, expecting, planning..... many years ago? Like, when you graduated from high school, and you absolutely "knew" what you were going to do with your life?

The family you would have...
A degree, or maybe more than one degree...
In your chosen field... or did it take you to a whole new place?
Your life experiences... were they hard to accept? Do you have any regrets?
Is your house your "dream house" or maybe you live in an apartment.
Do you make the money you thought you would? What you deserve?
Or is life so unfair that that didn't happen... yet?
Are you part of the "in crowd" in your social circle?
Are you married? Ever divorced? Widowed? More than once?
Do you prefer being single or wish you were?
Have you met tragedy?
Did too many people die?
Do you believe in God? In Jesus?
Do you have a church? A pastor you love and trust?
Have you been betrayed?
Are you somebody's hero? Somebody's cheerleader?


Are you disappointed?
Surprised?
Impressed?
Amazed?
Thankful?
Apathetic?
Hopeful?
Sick and tired?
Hopeful?

Family

What we expect of our families and how those expectations do not match reality is the stuff family politics are made of.

Family of origin.
Extended family.
Nuclear family.

Sometimes....

Sometimes life's circumstances just get you down.
Surgeries.
Pain.
Loss.
Foreclosure.
Being misunderstood.
No paycheck.
Sadness.
Missing loved ones.
Aborted plans.

Just go on.
Keep reaching.
Things happen for a reason.
One ending creates a new beginning.
Get ready.
Go.