Category: On The Bricks

We usually don’t see the whole picture.

This is a little story I read that sort of puts that in focus. I have no idea if the story is true or if it was made up to make a point. No matter, I like it.

“One Sunday morning at a small southern church, the new pastor called on one of his older deacons to lead the opening prayer. The deacon stood up, bowed his head, and said, ‘Lord, I hate buttermilk.’

“The pastor opened one eye and wondered where this was going. The deacon continued, ‘Lord, I hate lard.’

“Now the pastor was totally perplexed. The deacon continued, ‘Lord, I ain’t too crazy about plain flour. But after you mix ‘em all together and bake ‘em in a hot oven, I just love biscuits.’

“’Lord, help us to realize when life gets hard, when things come up that we don’t like, whenever we don’t understand what You are doing, that we need to wait and see what You are making. After you get through mixing and baking, it’ll probably be something even better than biscuits. Amen.’”

The big picture.

Life is more than today, so don’t get too set on what’s happening today. Have faith and look ahead to tomorrow. Enjoy today, but don’t let today mire you down.

We’ve got a survey out on the Main Street Guymon programs so that we can see just which programs the community really does care about. It is pretty senseless to keep ones that the community doesn’t like. We have over 100 returned at this point, which isn’t very many considering our population, but it is 100 more opinions than we had last month.

It would be a help to us if you would take the survey. Just email me at Director@MainStreetGuymon.com and I’ll send you the link. There are 24 questions and it takes about 4 minutes to do it.

Another opinion that you might need to think about giving is the election on April 2. We are lucky to have an abundance of candidates. Make your opinion count and vote.

This weekend is also the first weekend of the Guymon Community Theatre production of “The Little Mermaid!”

It’s a good day to be living in the Oklahoma Panhandle!

See you on the bricks.

All sorts of studies show that being bilingual is better for your brain.

Being able to speak more than one language fluently postpones symptoms of dementia. Several researchers say it can average four years or more that the bilingual person’s mind can ward off the symptoms of dementia.

A study in Scotland shows bilinguals recover brain function after a stroke more than twice as often as monolinguals. While both have the same risk of developing aphasia – a disorder that interferes with a person’s ability to process and use language – monolinguals are more likely to have a more severe form of the condition.

An occupational therapist who works primarily with patients after a traumatic brain injury said they would want to know if their clients were bilingual. If they were, then they would have a cognitive reserve that could boost their recovery.

Bilingualism also helps people pay attention to what’s relevant and focus when there’s a distraction. “It sounds like a trivial thing, but attention is the central aspect of cognition,” says Bialystok, a research professor in Toronto. “Attention develops early in infancy and matures throughout childhood. In older age, when we start to struggle with memory, attention is at the heart of everything significant of cognition.”

In one study, it showed measurable improved attention in people after just one week of language instruction. Those who practices a new language five hours a week over nine months maintained the positive effects.

All of this explains a lot.

I lived in another country one summer and never could pick up the language. And I tried.

Put that together with all the things I forget and the many mistakes I make … yep, my brain just isn’t quite as bueno as a lot of other people.

Sometimes the truth really hurts.

But it is still a good day on the bricks!

Three young kids from a Gruver family volunteered last summer for something called StoryBridge in Amarillo and learned that not all kids have books at home to read.

“We were surprised by the number of children who do not have early access to such materials at home,” one of them said.

Not everyone has a library in their town. Not everyone lives in town. Not everyone knows about public libraries. Not everyone knows they’re welcome into a library. Not everyone can count on being able to get the books back in time.

Whatever the reasons, it is sometimes just nice to have your own book.

So, the Gruver kids came home and started to collect children’s books. Nearly 200 of them. And they sent them home with elementary kids from pre – kindergarten to fourth grade. Now the Junior Honor Society is going to continue the program, collecting and organizing book donations for the program. The take board books to chapter books and find good homes for them.

It started with volunteering.

It started with learning about other people.

It started with caring.

Do you have any children’s books that need a new home? If you drop off your books at the Main Street Guymon office at 116 NE Fifth Street or at Brown and Associates Insurance at 917 N. Main in Guymon, then we’ll find good homes for them. Homes that might have kids wanting a book.

My favorite children’s book when my kids were little was “Stand back, said the Elephant.” Stand back said the elephant, I’m going to sneeze. I don’t mean to harm you, I don’t wish to alarm you, but I fear, oh, dear …. Yes, you get the idea. Great book!

And then when my grandchildren were born, my eldest grandson loved Curious George. Probably because that’s what I read to him all the time. Curious George and Winnie the Pooh. And when he was little his Aunt Lisa and I took him to the Garden City Zoo to find Curious George. That little boy started yelling, “I found him! I found him!”

Life is better with books.

Life is better when we share books.

Life is good on the bricks.

We’re gearing up for some community cleaning. It’s Spring and it’s time to get some spit and polish on things. Time to get our trashy selves under control, for sure. The last part of April and through most of May we have lots of company coming to town and we should work to put our best foot forward. It’s just not cool, nor is it necessary, to be that lazy.

So, what part of cleaning up are you thinking you want to help with? Or maybe you just want to focus on your own yard and alley … and maybe closet and drawers?

You know that if you’re getting on the medicare bandwagon or get your senior citizen discount on McDonald’s coffee, you really need to think about downsizing. I can say these things because I qualify for that coffee discount, too, you know?

If we would just go through our “stuff” and toss some of the things that fill the drawers and the closets and the boxes and the attic, then when we move to a smaller place or, let’s just admit it, pass on to what our kids seem to call the icloud, it can help. It can help if our stuff goes where we want it to go. It can help because our kids can grieve (or celebrate, whatever the case might be) without the pressure of cleaning out a bunch of junk, errrr, I mean, treasures.

I threw out all sorts of cords that I didn’t know what they went to, nor would I know how to pick them out if I needed them. They went to all sorts of electronic do-dads. They took up a whole drawer. Glad I was saving those. I mean, I could have wrapped them up and given them to someone. To someone I didn’t like so they might feel compelled to store them.

Think about it. If you like your kids and grandkids, consider starting a little clear out some stuff. If you don’t like them, get another box and start saving more useless junk. But if that’s the case, then you’ll have time to help us with the community clean – up. In fact, clean up your alley and put that trash in a box and shove it in your garage. That’ll work for me.

All kidding aside, a blogger called “FlyLady”, Marla Cilley, has an online support group to help people counter household CHAOS (Can’t Have Anyone Over Syndrome). It seems the basic FlyLady flight plan is to set a timer for 15 minutes every day and pick up items with two bags – one for trash, one for things to be donated. See how much 15 minutes a day can work for you.

Here in Guymon, you can also collect some of these things and recycle them:

Egg cartons for the farmer with eggs;

Crayon markers;

Eye glasses;

Jigsaw puzzles;

Children’s books;

Flower vases; and

Mascara wands.

All of those can be recycled and you need only to bring them by Brown and Associates Insurance office or Main Street Guymon and we’ll get them to where they need to go.

Any other ideas of things that can be recycled?

Let’s get to work on clearing things out that are cluttering things up.

And for those who are over 60 years old or disabled, if you would like some help cleaning up your yard or alley, cleaning house, or doing other odd jobs, you can call 405-896-0463 and talk to the pastor of the Seventh Day Adventist Church about their youth group helping you. Or you can text Jill Kirkwood at 580-651-0512.

See you on the bricks!

Some things really don’t make sense. Like the ad that pops up to sell something that blocks pop up ads. Seriously?

It doesn’t make sense that we always think an interview for a potential job is all about the person being interviewed. We need to be remembering that the person is also interviewing the company to see if they are a place they want to work at. We forget that if we are a good choice as an employee, we also have value. Granted, the person that doesn’t show up for work on time, misses a lot of work, causes drama in the work place, doesn’t get their work done, doesn’t help co – workers with their work … you all need to not be wasting your time thinking you’re a valuable employee. *sigh*

Mama said if you can’t say something nice, just don’t say anything. So maybe a change in topic is best.

Here’s a great little story I recently read, “I was 13 years old, trying to teach my six – year – old sister how to dive into a swimming pool from the side of the pool. It was taking quite a while, as my sister was nervous.

“We were at a public pool and nearby there was a woman, about 75 – years – old, slowly swimming laps. Occasionally she would stop and watch us. Finally, she swam over to us just when I was really putting the pressure on, trying to get my sister to dive, and my sister was shouting, ‘but I’m afraid!! I’m so afraid!!’

“The old woman looked at my sister, raised her fist defiantly in the air, and said, ‘So, be afraid! And then do it anyway!’”

It’s not about being afraid. It’s about doing it even when you’re afraid. It’s life.

Too often we let our fears rule over us, instead of us ruling over our fears. It’s not the way it is supposed to work.

What are some of your fears?

Have you had a dream of starting your own business? Have you let the fear of stepping out and doing it keep you from your dream?

In January of 2020, Main Street Guymon is going to have a six – week long workshop about Starting Your Own Business. The cost is $50 per business and that entails one or two to take the classes. They will be held on Tuesday evenings. Think about it. Is this something you need to consider doing? Do you know someone else who might want to attend? Call me at 338-6246 to get on the list to attend. Only 15 people will be accepted into the workshop.

Tuesday evening, March 19, from 6 – 8:30 is a free showing of the movie “Oklahoma” at the Guymon Public Library, 1718 N. Oklahoma.

Wednesday is the Grand Opening of Gordman’s where Stage was, Northridge Shopping Center in Guymon. The ribbon cutting is at 5:30 pm. Go check it out!

Creativity rules at the All Fired Up Art Gallery on March 20 and 22 with their Mini-Art Camp. They have classes for kids from age 5 years and up. The cost is $45 each. Call them at 580-338-4278 for more information.

On March 21 is a Boy Scout Luncheon at the Methodist Enrichment Center, 6th and Quinn, from noon to 1 pm. You know, Boy Scouts isn’t just for boys these days. Take time to go see what’s happening in Scouting. The luncheon is open to all.

That same day at 5:30 pm is a meeting at Brown and Associates to learn more about Medicare. You need to listen to Dianna, she makes this very confusing process a little more accessible. And you won’t be as apt to make errors if you listen to Dianna.

It’s all good in Guymon.

See you on the bricks!

Starting your own business can be a daunting endeavor. Any type of business, whether you’re providing a service or a retail business, one that you have to have a building open to the public, one from home, or one that is more industrial – there are a lot of things that you should consider before jumping in to such a project.

Those who do plan well, have a better chance of being successful. They also have a better chance of getting funded.

The Main Street Guymon Business Development Committee would like to help those who have thought about being their own boss.

In January they offer a workshop, one evening a week for six weeks, from 7 – 8:30 pm, that addresses aspects an entrepreneur might need to consider before opening shop. The workshop is geared for all types of business ideas and is open to all ages.

“We built our workshop around one that has been done for the past 10 years in a Kansas community,” explains Main Street Director Melyn Johnson. “And their track rate on improving the new business success rate is very impressive. Our committee chairman for this project is Davin Winger, Dean of Business at Oklahoma Panhandle State University, and a farmer / rancher who ran his own successful business for many years before taking a dip into academia.”

The workshop addresses types of businesses, legal, financing, permits and licenses, sales tax, start up costs, demand, target markets, location, insurance, e-commerce, promotion, bookkeeping, bank services, and management. The cost is $50 per business to register to attend and this fee allows up to two people per business to attend. The maximum for attendance is 15 people, so that each person / business idea can get specific attention.

Area business owners and managers are going to be asked to address the topics that they have expertise and experience in doing.

“It’s important to know,” explains Johnson, “that the workshop is open to high school students and up. According to the Kansas group, some of the most successful people to come out of their workshop are high school and college students who know that what they would like to do is own their own business. Often, they have ideas for services that are outside the realm of traditional services, but that the younger people are wanting.”

For more information about becoming your own boss, contact Melyn Johnson at Main Street Guymon, 580-338-6246 or Director@MainStreetGuymon.com.

The last part of the article that tells how to be a better conversationalist from the November Toastmaster magazine talks about a balanced conversation.

“Allow the other person to speak as often as you do. Keep in mind that you can’t control other people’s behavior. That means you can’t prevent them from talking too much, interrupting you or rambling on about irrelevant subjects. Therefore, it’s best not to expend mental energy worrying about someone else’s conversational etiquette and instead focus on what you can control – namely, your own habits.

“Pay attention to how often you allow the other person a chance to respond. The best conversations resemble a friendly game of catch, in that there’s a perfect balance between throwing and catching. Attention spans have been shrinking for at least the past two decades, so if you talk for more than 30 seconds at a time, it’s likely you’ve lost the other person’s focus.

“Help them stay engaged and remain focused by keeping it brief. An easy way to do that and to ensure what you’ve said will be understood and remembered is to talk about one thing at a time.

“If someone asks what you did over the weekend, don’t start with Friday afternoon and give them all the details you can remember. Instead, give the bullet points and allow them to respond.” Or just focus on one aspect that who you’re talking to might be more interested in hearing.

“Imagine conversation as a game of tennis in which you are constantly hitting the ball back to the other side. Remember that you already know everything you’re going to say and, if you’re going to learn something new, you’re going to have to listen.”

Would you like to be a part of the Community Clean-Up in April? We sure need your help. Whether you have 30 minutes or 2 hours to give, we need help on this Spring cleaning of our community. What part of cleaning up would you like to take part in? You have your choices … litter pick up in your favorite park, alley cleaning in your own alley, limb and trash pick up for elderly, cleaning up at the nursing home or along the highway and roads you drive every day. What clean up project would make you happier? Now get a couple of people you enjoy being around and plan to do that project together. Call me while you’re figuring it out. My number is 580-338-6246.

See you on the bricks!

The Toastmasters magazine, November 2018, article on How to Have a Better Conversation is what I shared from last column. There’s more. And it’s also interesting!

Fear is an obstacle to engaged listening. “For some time, social scientists have struggled to understand why we avoid in – person contact and face – to – face conversations. As a social species, conversation is beneficial for us. Regular in – person socialization can extend your lifespan, strengthen your immune system, and stave off depression and heart disease. So why do people stare at their phones … and avoid making eye contact with others?

“When researchers forced people to start conversations with strangers on trains, in waiting rooms, and at coffee shops, the participants ended up enjoying themselves. They also reported they were no less productive than if they’d kept to themselves. And yet, when these subjects were asked if they would start more conversations in the future, most answered no.

“We get in the way of our own enjoyment and well – being. A recent study showed that oftentimes, we are so caught up worrying about saying the right thing or being witty, we don’t notice that the other person is enjoying our company. We tend to underestimate how much other people like us. We’re stuck in our own heads, afraid we will say the wrong thing.

“While we obsess about what we’re saying and how we’re coming off, we don’t have time to really pay attention to what another person is saying. Sadly, this is also what prevents us from engaging in conversation in many circumstances: our fear that we’ll say the wrong thing or be judged negatively by the other person. That means the first step to listening well and enjoying a good conversation is to let go of your fear.

“Rest assured that the vast majority of conversations you have, whether they be with a loved one or an acquaintance, will lift your mood, engage your mind productively and improve your health.”

We have a lot of people running for the City Council election. Each one of them has faced the fear of losing, faced the fear of speaking in public, faced the fear of potentially being in front of the camera for people to watch. I applaud every single one of them for stepping out. And for those who are stepping out because they would like to be active in planning for our community’s future … I applaud you even more. It isn’t easy and we need to be kind to those who do it. We also need to vote and be a part of the decisions being made for the community we live in. Register to vote, if you haven’t. The last day to get this done is March 8 to be able to vote in the April City Council election. We need to have a better voter turnout.

March 9 is the Ready Group at the First Christian Church, 9 am. Here is a business, Brown and Associates, that cooks for those who attend and schedules a program that is relative to retired individuals. Another way to be involved in our community and to continue learning.

March 9 is also the running of the Livin’ Green Race.

March 11 is a soccer tournament at Fowler Park under the direction of Geraldine Sanchez. She has a fascinating story on how she got involved doing this. She was never a soccer player, but saw a need in our community. Wow. That impresses me.

On March 16 the Rose Garden Club has another Recycling Conversation at the Main Street Guymon office. Come in and learn more about the recycling opportunities we have in Texas County.

I’ll see you on the bricks!

My favorite people to spend time with are not those who think like me, they don’t have to look like me, and I don’t care how smart they are or how important their job is. What matters to me is if they are interesting. The Nov. 2018 Toastmaster magazine had an article that explains it well.

To be interesting you need to be able to have a good conversation with people. It doesn’t mean you have to be a talker or that you need to know everything. It just means you know how to have a conversation.

Talking well and conversing well are not the same thing. We often think someone is a good conversationalist because they’re funny, witty or tell good stories. But that’s what a stand – up comedian does well, and that isn’t conversation.

If one person is dominating the conversation – talking about what they’re doing, what they believe or what they know – that’s more of a lecture. One person is supplying information, and the other person is mostly absorbing that information or tuning out.

A conversation is also not a debate. A debate is an adversarial exchange, even when it’s civil, in which two people are putting forth arguments for opposing sides. A debate can be productive and informative, but it’s not a conversation.

A conversation is a mutual exchange of ideas. To have a real conversation, you must hear what the other person is saying, think about it, and then respond. We often don’t hear everything someone says. Instead, we listen to the first five to ten seconds and then stop listening and simply wait for them to stop talking so we can say what we want to say.

“Most of us don’t listen with the intent to understand,” says author Stephen Covey. “We listen with the intent to reply.”

The most essential component of a good conversation is engaged listening.

Listening is hard because it requires you be focused and present. In an era of smartphones and other distractions, it’s difficult to practice mindfulness. Even if your phone never makes a sound, you may be less focused when it’s near because your brain is prepared for it to make noise.

Because your brain knows you might receive a text, email, or other notification at any time, it may remain on constant alert.

Research shows that typical daily stress can cause your IQ to drop about 10 points because your brain is in fight – or – flight mode most of the day. But the cognitive cost you pay is higher. Since that phone causes your mind to be in a constant state of stress, the prefrontal cortex is too busy to help you listen or respond to what you hear during a conversation. The prefrontal cortex is involved with executive decisions, planning, impulse control, and complex thought.

So, while your phone is visible and keeping your prefrontal cortex busy dealing with stress, you are not making good decisions, planning for the future, or controlling your impulses. This could cause your conversation to go awry.

We all need to work on our conversation skills. We’ll be more interesting as we do.

And if you want to practice, there is a Recycling Conversation happening on Mar. 16 from 10 am to noon in the Main Street Guymon office. It’s time to find out about opportunities we have in Guymon to recycle. This conversation is hosted by the Rose Garden Club.

See you on the bricks!