Getting Clarity Through My Rear View Mirror

Last weekend, me and my familia did a boatload of driving. (Boy, did we ever.)  And as I'm sure you can appreciate - fellow summertime road warriors - it wasn't always fun.  Because most of the time, the weather was storming; traffic was infuriating; directions were lacking; bladders were over-activating, and the car was like claustrophobing (work with me on the wording and the rhyming). 

Sure, you been there/done that too, right!? 

So admittedly, while driving, I didn't always have that cool and breezy summer time easy vibe going on.  Quite the contrary.  But a funny thing happened at the height of my self-induced pity, pain and frustration.  You see, I did a double-take when looking back in my rear view mirror.  In the bowels of my selfish, oh-whoa-is-me temperament - I noticed something that I previously took for granted: the smiling faces of my two terrific kids bopping their heads to the music on the radio (and yeah, pushing each others buttons at the same time; all good nonetheless).

The fact that they were safe and happy, along with my wonderful wife sitting next to me in the front seat, made me realize that what matters most, and the purpose for being in that car in the first place, was about us. Not me.  And in that moment, it was like BAMM - I had an instantaneous change of heart.  I really did.

Thanks to that moment-of-truth ... with the good Lord tapping me on the shoulder and helping to eradicate  my super stinky attitude ... I went from acting like an unappreciative, scowling, selfish nutty goober ... to appreciating what I always should appreciate, even in trying times: my family, and time spent with my family.  (Albeit I probably won't lose the nutty goober side; that's kinda in my DNA.)

While it goes without saying, it still needs to be said:  let's cherish our family - whenever, wherever, however we can.  Hopefully for the most of us, that's more of a reminder, than a rebuke.   

Family Is (better than) Good; Its Greeeeeaaat!

No More Gimmicks

Is it just me, or is the world full of annoying sales gimmicks? 

These days, we seem to be sold more hype, hoopla and hyperbole, than substance.  Sure, selling the sizzle over the steak is not new.  But the smoke factor seems thicker than peanut butter soup.          

Indeed, the sales musac is so deafening, it's making me light-headed and giddy; can't hear myself think. Ahhh, but maybe that's their goal, those devious marketing monsters. Well played; NOT. 

So be gone, you bothersome no-good sales gimmicks.  You're wanted no more.  (Except for the eTrade baby; he's a keeper.) 

While we're at it, let's lose the asteriskeseses.  Those annoying little splats seem to be as ubiquitous as mosquitoes in Michigan (it's their state bird, you know).  If you gotta put an asterisk next to something, than maybe that something needs to be a better something else.

And let's give the big heave-ho to all the fine print.  Time to dump that stuff, as well.  Read my lips, all you Madison Avenues of the world: if what you have to explain/cover/defend can't be said in the same font, then don't say it.  Or again, figure out a better product and/or service that doesn't need it.

While I do get a kick out of those crazy NY street vendors slight-of-hand card tricks (that I of course, never gamble at) - I'm not a big fan of slight-of-hand sales gimmicks, asterisks and fine print. 

And I don't think it's just a me thing, either.  Nope. 

So what are we going to do? Accept it?  Deny it?  Refuse it?

Sure, when it's all said and done, it's probably a combination of all three.  After all - the gimmicks, asterisk and fine print (GAFP) are so rampant, it's hard to not buy what we need without getting GAFPd in one form or fashion.  Whatever. 

If given a choice, let's go with the one (s)  that sells us like it is, without all the clanking and the clutter.  If they respect us by telling us straight, then we respect them by buying their stuff.

A fair deal, all around. 

Mutual Respect is Good.