Ray's Daily

 “A friend is someone who helps you up when you’re down, and if they can’t, they lay down beside you and listen.”

 

 

I was out and about yesterday and felt great, better than I have in years. If it lasts my future is brighter than it was only a week ago. It will be fun to get back into the fray, I’ll look for you there, I’ll be the guy throwing his hat in the air yelling yippee.

~~~

Some recent experiences again reminded me how distressing and lonesome life can be for some. Even those with an outgoing demeanor and pleasant personality can wonder in their heart if anyone listens or anyone cares. I think each of us has a responsibility to those we care about to make sure we take the time to really listen to them. And I mean listen, not judgmental conversation, but rather hear what they say and feel what they feel. You will be amazed what can happen when people learn you really care and that while you won’t judge them you will hold their hand and explore together what might be.

 

Here is something I saved that I think you might find it has value.

 

Listen With Empathy

No matter how outrageous, inconsiderate, false, self-centered, or pompous the person you’re talking to is, remember: He or she is simply trying to survive, just like you. We’re all participating in the same physical and psychological struggle. Some of us just have better survival strategies than others. Thus, the obnoxious person deserves more pity than scorn.

So listening with empathy means asking yourself, "Where is this person’s anger coming from?" "What is he or she asking for?" "What can I do that’s reasonable and supportive?" You’re not everyone’s shrink, and you don’t have to carry the weight of the world on your back. But, on the other hand, if you can think through what makes this person behave like this, perhaps you’ll be inclined to cut them a little slack. Genuinely listening well is, at its heart, an act of love, and as such, may help heal.

Dr Tony Alessandra

~~~

The most called-upon prerequisite of a friend is an accessible ear.

Maya Angelou

~~~

An 80 year old man went to the doctor for a checkup and the doctor was amazed at what good shape the guy was in. The doctor asked, "To what do you attribute your good health?"  

The old timer said, "I’m a golfer and that’s why I’m in such good shape.   I’m up well before daylight and out golfing up and down the fairways."  

The doctor said, "Well, I’m sure that helps, but there’s got to be more to it. How old was your father when he died?"  

The old timer said, "Who said my father’s dead?"  

The doctor said, "You mean you’re 80 years old and your father is still alive?  How old is he?"  

The old timer said, "He’s 100 yrs old and, in fact, he golfed with me this morning. That’s why he’s still alive, he’s a golfer."  

The doctor said, "Well, that’s great, but I’m sure there’s more to it. How about your grandfather? How old was he when he died?"  

The old timer said, "Who said my grandpa’s dead?"  

The doctor said, "You mean you’re 80 years old and your grandfather’s still living! How old is he?"  

The old timer said, "He’s 118 yrs old."  

The doctor was getting frustrated at this point and said, "I guess he went golfing with you this morning too?"  

The old timer said, "No…Grandpa couldn’t go this morning because he got married."  

The doctor said in amazement, "Got married!! Why would a 118-year-old guy want to get married?"  

The old timer shot back, "Who said he wanted to?"  

~~~

Management has created a wonderful solution, now they’re looking for a problem to go with it.

~~~

"Hey, Mom," asked Little Johnny, "can you give me twenty dollars?"  

"Certainly not," she said.  

"If you do," he went on, "I’ll tell you what dad said to the maid when you were at the beauty shop."  

His mother’s ears perked up and, grabbing her purse, she handed over the money.  

"Well? What did he say?"  

"He said, ‘Hey, Marie, make sure you wash my socks tomorrow.’"  

~~~

What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

~~~

My alphabet starts with this letter called yuzz.  

It’s the letter I use to spell yuzz-a-ma-tuzz.  

You’ll be sort of surprised what there is to be found,  

once you go beyond ‘Z’ and start poking around.  

Dr. Seuss  

~~~

"I like long walks, especially when they are taken by people who annoy me."

Noel Coward

~~~

Two rural church deacons who were having a sociable beer in the local tavern when they saw their minister drive by and take a good long look at their pickup trucks parked outside.  

One deacon ducked down and said, "I hope the reverend didn’t see us or recognize my pickup."  

The other replied indifferently, "What difference does it make. God knows we’re in here… and he’s the only one who counts."  

The first deacon countered, "Yeah, but God won’t tell my wife."  

~~~

"Daddy, Charlie asked me to marry him, but I told him I couldn’t leave Mama."

"Oh, that’s okay. Take her with you."

~~~

A young boy, who had a lisp, was supposed to start school one day, and was told by his mother to wait by the bus stop. The kid goes to the bus stop, sees the bus and starts waving his arms and shouting: "Buth driver .. Buth Driver thtop thtop! …"

The bus just keeps on going.

The next day, after his mother was upset for the bus not stopping, tells him to go to the bus stop and wave an old rag she gave him. Again, he follow his mother’s instructions, waving the old rag and shouting "Hey buth driver…buth driver, thtop thtop!!.." Again, the bus just goes by.

When he returned home, his mother was really upset and tells him:

"Damn it, tomorrow I want you to go out and stand in the middle of the street, and he’ll stop for sure." The next day, he’s waiting for the bus, sees it, stands in the middle of the street and starts waving the rag and shouting:

"Hey buth driver…buth driver…thtop thtop!!"

The bus just keeps going, hits him, knocks him down and breaks every bone in his body. Upset, after his mother found out about this, she went to the school to complain to the school’s principal, who calls the bus driver to the office and questions him about about his action.

"Why did you hit that poor boy?" the principal asked.

The bus driver replies: "I can’t thtand kidth that make fun of me!"

~~~

Give yourself a perfect day. Do what makes you happiest. Look upon what gives you joy. Speak to those who warm your heart. Listen to that which lifts your spirit. Surround yourself with sights and sounds and people who give you pleasure. For all the happiness you give to others all year long, give yourself a perfect day.

Author Unknown

~~~

Stay well, do good work, and have fun.

 Ray Mitchell

Indianapolis, Indiana, USA

Management is not responsible for duplicates from previous dailies.

The editor is somewhat senile.