Sunday, May 27, 2018

Not Everyone Appreciates Your Creativity

 Being creative is fun. Whipping out some excellent work while others trudge along in mediocrity is exhilarating. But be prepared to not be appreciated.

When others see you have gone beyond the minimum requirements, you might expect some positive notice. But all too often, it brings negative feed back.

When you let your light shine, some friends celebrate the event, others tell you to knock it off. It's hard for people to enjoy the light that shines on your achievements when it casts a shadow on theirs.

Some reasons for this are legitimate. A higher level of excellence and effort may draw the attention of those in authority. Bosses may then require everyone to put out more and better work, all the while leaving the pay grade and working conditions the same.

Don't expect a lot of appreciation if that happens.

Some folks have a life strategy based on the philosophy of doing as little as possible, learning as little as possible, and thinking as little as possible. Passing folks that travel in the slow lanes of life's freeway makes them angry. They don't want to speed up, so they insist that you slow down.

It is an important life skill to live in peace with those around us. Maybe our moments of excellence should be celebrated in private with those who we feel might appreciate it. The "Pearls before swine" parable comes to mind. Pearls are better than garbage. But you'll never convince certain creatures to share your esteem of their value.

Another parable presents another option. We could let our light shine in this dark world regardless of the commotion and negativity that it produces. Why hide a light under a bushel basket? Put it up high. The light will attract some bugs and complaints. But it may lead others to a better path. Just don't expect a lot of "thank-you's" right away when you flip on the switch of excellence.

Tuesday, August 1, 2017

Humming Bear

Sadly, there seems to be no lack of those who steal a lunch, rob the fridge, or eat that last donut in the box you were saving for yourself or a friend.

For some, when the stomach growls, it drowns out the voice of whatever fragments of conscience that may still exist.

Saturday, July 22, 2017

When Choosing Pain is Sane

When a bad place to be  suddenly becomes the best place to be.

This bobcat was chased up saguaro cactus by a cougar. He stayed up there for six hours, until he was sure the cougar was gone.

It's amazing what can be done when the right kind of motivation comes along and how it can suddenly change a former negative to a present positive.

Thursday, June 15, 2017

Ignorant Helpers Can Still Make a Difference


There are those friends who pitch in to help that have no idea what is going on. While their help might be less than useful, their will to help and enthusiasm are appreciated.

That is, until they totally mess up what your are trying to get done.

Monday, June 12, 2017

When Friendships without Bounds Should Get Some.

Boundless friendships know no bounds. Often, they don't know much about boundaries either. Maybe they should.


Friday, February 24, 2017

Unimpressed by Your Science


Sadly, after living many years with jerks who tormented her with inexplicable phenomena,  Ginger had become jaded to the wonders of science.

Saturday, February 18, 2017

Do we really know who's the biggest chicken?






Bob always suspected that he had joined a chicken outfit. 
Today, his worst fears were confirmed.