Want to become really smart? Read this!

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   The argument has gone on for centuries. Is there a difference between being smart and being intelligent? I have probably know a number of each throughout my lifetime and have come to the realization that there are differences between being intelligent and being smart.

   Traditionally, when someone speaks to intelligence, they usually refer to a 'capability' with which you were born. It is a measure of your ability to learn. The greater your intelligent, the assumption is that the more you can learn. There are many great and familiar names associated with intelligence; Einstein, Curie, DeVinci, and Darwin to name a few. Let's not forget Socrates. Who in there right mind answers a question by asking a question? If it were not for these great intelligent thinkers, who knows what would not have been discovered or invented. Maybe the cell phone! I think, therefore I text.

   It is more difficult to come up with a list of 'smart' people. While there are lists, in general the name are unfamiliar, and to confuse the issue, the word 'smart' often has multiple meanings . The more popular lists of smart people contain the names of actors and entertainer, comedians and smart-alics. “Now don't be smart” is not really telling someone not to be smart. It is describing an obnoxious behavior.

   On neither list are highly regarded politicians or world leaders. That might explain a great deal about the current state of affairs, especially in Maine!

   What parent doesn't want their child to be intelligent? But, when you listen to a parent talk about a child, they usually refer to them, not as 'intelligent', but as being smart. “My child is the smartest in the class.” And this declaration is determined by whom?

   Several months ago there was a published article that rank ordered, from most to least, the states running out of smart people. Doesn't speak well of today's educational system now does it? More likely, they might have been talking about the new generation of babies being born. Actually I think they were talking about population shifts from state to state. Smart people move where it is warm in the winter. Good move!

   As I look back over my lifetime, I wish I had been smarter. I think I was fairly intelligent, but hindsight being what it is, it showed me that just being intelligent was not enough. Knowing a lot of facts, many of them unimportant, is not the same as being smart. What I learned was that being smart means taking advantage of and using the opportunities you are given to your benefit and to the benefit of others.

   As I think about the people in my life who I believed were smart, they had several things in common. They could admit when they were wrong. They could say they were sorry with ease. Each was comfortable to acknowledge when they 'didn't know something' and  could ask for help.

   Being smart is more than being intelligent. Being smart is being true to who you are and what you value. A smart person must be big enough to admit to mistakes, smart enough to learn from those mistakes and smart enough to avoid similar mistakes in the future.    
   Intelligence is important, but don't overlook the importance of attitude and a desire to work hard.

So... 'smarten up'!

Things aren't always what they seem...

 
   (Note....I generally like to get ahead a bit in my writing and I wrote this a day or two before the horrific tragedy that took place in Boston on Monday ( 4/15). I had considered setting it aside and writing something about what had happened, how I was feeling,  or some commentary on how the world has changed. But to be honest, I am still struggling to get my head around what took place. And despite the fact that the  suspects were either killed or captured, the result of some great work by law enforcement by the way,  it is still difficult to understand what gets into a person's mind to make the kinds of decisions they made that led to four people being killed and serious  injuries to many others  Perhaps the next few days or months will reveal some insight into the sick and twisted thinking.
   But for this week, I decided to go with my original thoughts.... and maybe there is some relevance too.)
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    People are generally quite willing to give advice, even when not asked. Giving  advice is easy, it doesn't cost anything but is generally only as reliable as the person giving it. Advice comes in all shapes, sizes and from all direction.
   Over the years, I am sure I have given my share of advice to those who wanted  it and to those who did not. I have also received my share of advise, some I wanted and some I didn't. But there was one piece of advice that continues to serve me well, especially in today's world...”Remember, things (and people) are not always what they seem.”
   If you consider each day dawns as a new adventure, with the possibility of meeting new people, making new friends, or maybe closing a big sale, then it is easy to fall victim to things that may not always be as they appear. What we learn, sometimes too late, is that what we thought was a success turns out to be a failure or the person we though was a new friend with our best interest in mind, was only out for himself or herself.
   We have become a society that makes judgments based upon the outside, not what is 'within'. Flashy cars, well chosen words and neatly tailored suits blind us to a lack of moral character. First impressions can be designed to deceive or  to gain our confidence. As Confucius once said, “I have yet to meet a man as fond of high moral character as he is of outward appearances.” Is this the new level to which we have fallen?
   As the old story goes, two traveling angels stopped to spend the night in the home of a wealthy family. The family was rude and refused to let the angels stay in the guest room. Instead they were told they could stay in the basement. As the angels made their bed on the hard floor, the older angel saw a hole in the wall and repaired it. When the younger angel asked why, the older angel replied, "Things aren't always what they seem".
   The next night the pair came to rest at the house of a very poor, but very hospitable farmer and his wife. After sharing what little food they had the couple let the angels sleep in their bed where they could have a good night's rest.
   When the sun came up the next morning the angels found the farmer and his wife in tears. Their only cow, whose milk had been their sole income, lay dead in the field. The younger angel was infuriated and asked the older angel... "How could you  let this happen? The first man had everything, yet you helped him. The second family had little but was willing to share everything, but you let their cow die."
   "Things aren't always what they seem," the older angel replied. "When we stayed in the basement, I noticed there was gold stored in that hole in the wall. Since the owner was so obsessed with greed and unwilling to share his good fortune, I sealed the wall so he wouldn't find it. Then last night as we slept in the farmer's bed, the angel of death came for his wife. I told him to take the cow instead. Things aren't always what they seem."
   The original source of this story is unknown, but its message has been passed down through the ages. Sometimes things don't turn out the way we think they should. But then, “sometimes things are not really as they seem.” Perhaps this is still a good piece of advice after all.

Row 26, seat...

   I recently traveled to the West Coast, Los Angeles to be specific. It has been a while since I have had to travel that distance. Do I drive, take a train or plane. The answer was obvious since I didn't have a great deal of extra time to spare. Plane! With someone else paying the travel and hotel bill, I just needed to get there, so I called the travel department of the company where I am working, told them from what city I would like to depart, morning or afternoon flight, whether I preferred an aisle or window seat and I was good to go.

   Within a few minutes I had my electronic ticket with flight times and seat assignments. Seat 26C. I assumed that the plane had to have at least 26 rows of seats, but to be honest, when flying out of Bangor, Maine, you are never sure what you might get.

   Another interesting note though. Looking at my tickets...three of the four flight seat assignments were in row 26. The fourth assignment was 13C. But I am not superstitious... too much.

   There was a time when flying was fun, but since September 11^th a great deal has changed. I can remember walking up to the gate at Newark airport, buying a ticket and flying off to Boston. Total trip time? A bit over an hour. The shuttle to Boston traveled between the two cities almost every hour. It was convenient and enjoyable. It took me longer to get to the airport than it did to get to Boston, Those were the “good old days of flying” and sometimes you even got free food.

   I arrived at the airport in Bangor two hours before my flight as directed, checked in, paid my luggage fee and went through screening. I really had not anticipated so many people would be at the Bangor airport at 5:00 in the morning.

   It was everything into the plastic tray, through the scanner and move to the yellow footprints painted on the floor, Put you hands above your head and..... “Sir! Please step over here.” I had forgotten to take my wallet out of my pants pocket. Oh well. It could have been worse. I am not going to describe the pat-down, however.

   Row 26, seat C on this flight was the last row in the plane and it was across from the bathroom. The flight to Philadelphia was not going to be much more than an hour, so being across from the bathroom wasn't going to be that bad. At least I had the opportunity to say “good morning” to a number of sleepy-eyed travelers like myself.

   The plane to Los Angeles was of different design, a bit larger, but seat 26C was in the last row of the aisle, the last seat before the bathroom doors. Two bathrooms on this flight and the flight from Philadelphia to LA was scheduled to be five hours, twenty minutes. 

   Let me assure you I believe I saw just about every passenger on the plane, not once, but twice! And it always seemed that the plane bounced or rocked a bit as the they tried to navigate their way to the rear of the plane. Several, attempting to steady themselves by grabbing the back of my seat ended up momentarily grasping at the top of my bald head. “Well...excuse me!”

   For a moment I had actually considered making a sign. 'Bathroom Use...$2.00'. But no one seems to have a sense of humor any more, especially the airline personnel.

   The time in Los Angeles was packed with meetings and training sessions and soon it was time to return home.

   The plane from west to east was very large, quite understandable as most probably wanted to escape the rush of the West Coast as quickly as possible. And the good news? This plane had many more rows and seat 26D was not near or across from the bathrooms. Things were looking up.

   With a brief layover in Philadelphia, it was time to board for the flight to Bangor, seat 13C. You guessed it! Last row, aisle seat... across from the bathroom.

   All in all, the trip was quite uneventful and being near the bathrooms did provide me with some entertainment, but it's not the best seat to try to catch a quick nap.

   Next time, I think I may be a bit more specific with my seating requests (and remember to take my wallet out of my pocket before going through the scanning machine).

It's one day closer...

   Each day the sun comes up a bit earlier in the morning and sets a few minutes later in the evening. The birds are starting to sing their songs of Spring now. Must be a mating thing! Before too much longer, the ice will be completely out of the backyard ponds and the frogs will extricate themselves from the mud and take their place along the water's edge. ( WOW There's a $10 word!)

   Most of the snow has melted. We had some late winter storms and with the cool weather, the snow stayed around a bit longer. But even with the snow, there are some plants beginning to break their way through the crusty surface.

   I've tried to help the process by doing a bit of raking and cleaning up, but we will still have cool nights before Spring finally arrives so I'll leave most plants covered with the blanket of last fall's leaves and pine needles for another week or two.

   The grass near the road has enough sand and dirt from the winter's plowing to start a new town sand pile for next year. Think of all the money the towns could save if they recycled. But what do I do with the dirt in my yard? Two thoughts here. Either rake and sweep and toss into the woods or just wait and hit it with the lawn mower during the first couple of cuts. I think I like the second option better,

   Speaking of lawn mowers, I need get some fresh gas, a couple of new spark plugs and see if they will start this year. Maybe a new blade or two also. The yard has a number of rocks that appear just above the grassy surface and the mower can usually find them before I do. I hear my neighbor chuckle every time I hit one, not that he does that much better

   I am not a huge sports fan but major league baseball started this week, a sure sign of Spring and I will watch a few games this year. The Red Sox actually won their opening game this year and it was a win against the Yankees. To my friends and family in New Jersey...maybe it was a bad April Fool's joke. But I guess there is always hope. It's going to take me a week or two to learn the new players and the batting lineup.

   Although the weather has remained a bit cool, I have managed to clean the barbeque grill and cook up a few hamburgers. There is definitely a difference in the taste of a burger when cooked outside. Must be the added flavor of last year's grease still stuck to the rack. UCK! Just kidding....

   With warmer weather and the ground somewhat drier the kids are out on the playground at school during noon recess (There's an expression from the past) racing around, laughing and shouting. playing a game of tag or 'keep away'.

   Although the school is fairly close to the house, just on the other side of the woods to be exact, and the noise could be a distraction, it sometimes serves as a reminder of days gone by and the fun of being a kid, playing those silly games and spending time with friends. But as time passes, we grow up and what remains of childhood dreams are now only fond memories.

   It won't be long now before the trees begin to bud, the flowers will be in full bloom and what we have waited for so long will have arrived. But as each day passes, it's one day closer. Yes... winter will be here before you know it.

   So enjoy!

When was the last time you took a ride on a swing?

   Growing up as a child fifty or sixty years ago was very different than growing up as a child today. For many there was a mom and dad. Dad went to work each day and  mom stayed home to do 'housework'. Dad would come home in the Chevy 2 door coupe (they were always black) and the family would sit down at the table together for dinner, talking about things that happened that day. Mom would have spent  many hours preparing  dinner. After eating, the children would ask to be excused from the table and begin their homework. Manners and respect were taught at home back then. No television or radio  until the homework was done. 

   Most kids didn't start school until age five or even later. Let's keep Ralph out for an extra year. He's a bit slow, you know, and besides, we need him to help around the farm.           
    Preschool or day care had not become popular yet (because parents took care of their own kids) so what was learned before heading off on the school bus was taught at home, whether it be reading or math, cooking or just  learning how to use a hammer.

   After the homework was done and if it was still light outside, there might be one last ride on the backyard swing  before bed. It was the closest you  could get to flying. With eyes closed, you could imagine rocketing through space, higher and higher, faster and faster, heading toward that distant planet. But with the call of “bed time”, the trip came to an end and the imaginary space suit was traded in for a pair of pajamas.

   Fast forward fifty years or so. Much has been gained in those fifty years, but much has been lost too. Now please don't get me wrong. I support the idea that children need to come to school ready to learn. What kindergarten teacher wouldn't like to have every child in class be able to read, know all of their numbers and letters and have perfect penmanship. Years ago many of these skills were taught by mom and dad at home. But today??

   Today, for those who can afford it,  many attend preschool or day care and as a result they enter school with skills and knowledge far beyond what kids knew years ago. There are new standards and expectations, new goals with ' no child left behind'. Left behind what or who? Or maybe the real question is "What are we leaving behind ?" How about "childhood!!"

   Kids are tested regularly to insure they are meeting the standards and if not, teachers are replaced, administrators are fired and pressures mount on both the parent and child. Who wants to have their child 'labeled' as a failure?

   My fear is that future generations will consist of over anxious, neurotic adults, who will look back upon school, not as a time of childhood and growing up, but when each was programmed and moved through a system at lightening speed to get to some point where he or she would become "productive citizens".

   I see us reaching a time when, soon after birth, children will enter 'educational clinics' where they will be tested to determine their learning styles and a plan mapped out for the next twenty years or so. These clinics will identify future doctors or lawyers, scientist or political leaders. (Sound familiar?)
   But on the way to the 'clinic,' kids will  look out the car windows at the empty swings on the local playground, moving back and forth, powered not by the imaginary ride to outer space and distant planets, but only by the wind.

   Yes, I do believe that early preparation for school and learning is important. But I also believe in the importance of family, play and just being a kid as  ways to prepare for school too.. How soon we have forgotten how to be a kid!

   So, regardless of your age, the next time you see an empty swing, hop on and take a ride. It might be the ride of your life.

  

It's Saturday morning and...

   It used to be that Saturday morning was a day to sleep in a bit later. After a hard week at work an extra hour of sleep was always welcomed. But that extra hour of sleep has given way to spending it with Stephani. She is a hard working, dog loving (and sometimes cat loving,) warm and caring dog trainer and the benefits of getting up early far outweigh the the loss of an extra hour of sleep.

   As some of you know, after spending many years with dogs of all shapes and sizes there was a period of time that we were dog-free and for a while it was a relief. We came and went as we pleased, not worrying about who would “let the dog out” or if there was enough dog food for the week. There was no dog fur rolling around the floor, great for the allergies and no dog toys hidden under sofa cushion.

   But over time there was something missing. There was no friendly greeting at the door, no barking to scare off unwanted intruders and no one to fetch the ball. (The kids had all gone off to college.) What's a person to do? Get another dog...of course.

   Lucky will be celebrating his third birthday in a few weeks. He is a black, standard-size poodle. He is strong, handsome and very smart and we were quick to learn just how smart he could be. Instead of letting Lucky train us, we decided to try taking classes and that is how we met Stephani.

   I admit it. I was a bit nervous about classes. What if he fails? What if the other dogs are mean and vicious or they don't like him? What if they think he is a wuss. What if he doesn't learn anything.

   Class begins at 8 AM. for our group. It may vary from week to week, but generally there are between four and six dogs eagerly waiting for the door to open. As Stephani greets each by name, they sniff, run and bark at each other. It is almost like watching children in preschool, except that the screaming and shouting in preschool is replaced with barking and growling.

   Like church, each dog and owner has their favorite spot in the room and after ten puppy pushups to get the dogs and their owners focused, the training for the day begins. (Lucky does very well with the puppy pushups. For me, it's harder to get up and down as quickly as he does.)

   It is amazing how, after the first few minutes of dog-like behavior, they settle in to the activities of the day. Heeling, sits, downs, stands and fronts come pretty natural to all the dogs now. Why wouldn't they? Armed with treats, praise and a pat on the head every once and awhile, I'd probably do the same thing.

   The rally course is not only fun to watch, but also to train. I must say that I wasn't sure how Lucky would take to the tunnel and the jump, but he does quite well now. My goal is to eventually have him run the course, free of the leash and in the company of other dogs, cheering him on.

   It is obvious Stephani likes and enjoys what she does. She is actively involved in Sheltie rescue, herself having many calling her house “home” at different times

Her approach and philosophy of training is based upon treats, praise and respect for each dog. And patience, don't forget patience.

    One of the things I have learned is, like people, dogs learn at different rates. Perhaps it is the breed of the dog or maybe the quality of the treats. Perhaps it is the skill and knowledge of Stephani.

   Getting up a bit earlier on Saturday morning has been well worth it. Lucky has learned a great deal and continues to improve each week and I think he would agree that Stephani is doing a great job of training me to be a better owner too!

   (Interested in learning more about Stephani and her training courses, visit her on Facebook at …..Right on the Mark Dog Training LLC ...Palmyra, ME)

What happens in Vegas....

   Perhaps Las Vegas and the rest of the world could learn a thing or two from the Vatican. In an age when everyone wants to know everything, the Vatican was still able to select its new leader in relative secrecy, much to the disappointment of the news media and others. Perhaps the only person on the outside who might have had any insight as to what was taking place inside was Dan Brown and even his view may have been partially tainted for the sake of novels and movies,

   What is utterly amazing to me is that 115 men had the sole responsibility of selecting the person who would become the religious leader for nearly 1.5 billion people around the world. And only those Cardinals  80 years of age or younger were eligible to vote. What does that tell us about growing old within the church. Does over 80 mean 'over the hill' when it comes to making decisions? What does that say about the belief  that "with age comes wisdom.” 

   What is still so unbelievable is that this is the same process that has been used for hundreds of years, 266 'Pope times' in fact ... It is 115 people casting ballets, tossing them into the stove and voting again until someone receives 77 per cent of the vote.(No hanging chads here!) Or at least that is what we are encouraged to believe. 
   We all know how difficult it is to keep secrets and one has to admire, to some degree, the difficult challenges these men faced as well as those who took part in the previous 265 times a new Pope was elected. I can hear the announcement being made over the loudspeaker  now. “Please turn off all cell phones and all other electronic devices!”

   But with secrets often comes some unintended consequences. and outcomes.

   The Catholic Church has had its share of major issues over the years. Is it because the church has not been able to adjust to the changing times or is it that the times have not adjusted to the church? Is it because society's values have changed. Is it the result of the personal demands and expectations placed upon the clergy? Should priests be allowed to marry and have families? This is serious 'stuff.'

   But there may be some secrets that we would all like to know that are not so serious. For example...When not in public, does the Pope walk around his apartment in  Lands' End fleece pullovers and warm up pants? Does the Pope know how to cook? Does he have a driver's license? How does he relax when he is not doing his “Popely” duties? Has he read any of Dan Brown's books. Does he watch movies or listen  to country-western music? Has he ever eaten at McDonald's? Is there a gym at the Vatican where he can exercise or play racket ball?

   I know it is important for the billions of Catholics and the world leaders to see him in a traditional role as  Pope, the religious leader of a large part of the world's population. But perhaps he needs to be seen as a person of flesh and blood too, someone who laughs, goes for walks on beautiful Spring days, wraps Christmas presents for his nieces and nephews or works out in the gym on a regular basis.

   He has a special mission and unique  responsibilities,as he serves as a religious role model for the world. It is an awesome task to say the least. And his power and influence in the world's religious and sometimes political affairs have their roots dating back centuries and have been passed down to each new generation with few, if any, changes.

   But for now, the processes and the mysteries of the church will continue to remain secrets. We can all guess and speculate what took place behind the locked doors. But for now, “what happened at the Vatican” is likely to stay in the Vatican. for many years to come.