A “Shark Week” episode Jean was watching as I walked by the room featured North Carolina’s Outer Banks. Seeing this reminded me of a trip Jean and I took there
There are various social media platforms that have groups in which members share school-day memories. As a member of a few of these groups, I find it interesting to take a âlook back whenâ¦â As we deal with where we are and where weâre going, itâs good to visit where weâve been. Someone recently wrote of her favorite high school subjects and the teachers of those subjects, which got me to thinking about the same.
Looking back on my high school days in Humboldt, and thinking of my favorite subjects, I recalled literature and history, which brought to mind teachers Mr. Ewing Jackson, Miss Lucille Robinson, Mrs. Billy Rauchle and Mrs. R.V. Utley. In particular, one of the first things that popped into mind was one of my favorite and thought-provoking poems, âThe Arrow and the Songâ by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882).
In 2013 I wrote a column about âdefining a true American hero,â which drew many positive responses, including one from a fellow writer. Along with a brief note, he sent me a letter someone shared with him. Considering the current division in America and the recent attacks on Asians, Jews and anyone who doesnât âlook, think and act like me,â I share with you that letter I have been holding for a time such as this:
To my fellow Americans: I would like to offer an observation concerning Memorial Day and its significance. Too many of our younger generation donât understand, or havenât been taught, the meaning behind this holiday. Some of our older population seem no longer to remember or care.
Based on some questions I had recently received, last month I wrote a couple of columns dealing with workers communicating remotely. These columns (âDid you really mean to say that?â and âAre they hearing what you say?â) brought in comments and, yes, more questions.
No doubt, working remotely not only can make people feel isolated but also disconnected and at a loss on how to communicate better.
The significant drop in people talking face-to-face or via phone has led to much miscommunication.
One phone call can often clear up what it would take several email or text messages to âtryâ to communicate. Quite often, when people get off on the wrong track with electronic messaging, continuing to text or email only makes things worse.
An email I received read: âFirst, I want to thank you for all the great articles you write, and especially the ones dealing with communication. The way the world is leaning these days, communication is key to understanding each other. This is where I need help. I think I have lost the ability to communicate with some of my coworkers, more so since we have been working remotely.â
The writer continued, âIt seems I am taking emails the wrong way from what the sender was trying to say, or the other person takes what I said the wrong way. I feel as if I am at a crossroad and am quite unsure of the path to take. The company for which I work is growing and I want to grow with it. So, any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.â