Clyde's Corner

Clyde Lindley

Quotable Quotes

Since I have spent most of December 1997 in Arizona, with a visit to Sedona, I always marvel at the magnificence of nature and its charms to warm the heart and provide a peaceful feeling of restfulness.

So, I quote:

"May I always walk with beauty before me."
-- Blessing Way, Navaho Nation

"One touch of nature...makes all the world kin."
-- John Muir

"What you get free often costs too much."
-- Anonymous

"Friends, Like flowers,, give pleasure by being there."
-- Anonymous

"Every man is a fool for at least five minutes a day; wisdom consists of not exceeding the limit."
-- Elbert Hubbard

"Slaying the dragon of delay is no sport for the short-winded."
-- Sandra Day O'Connor

And this one I received along with holiday greetings:

"Think freely. Practice patience. Smile often. Savor special moments. Make new friends. Rediscover old ones. Tell those that you that you do. Feel deeply. Forget trouble. Forgive an enemy. Hope. Grow. Be crazy. Count your blessings. Observe Miracles. Let them happen. Discard worry. Give. Give in. Trust enough to take. Pick some flowers. Share them. Keep a promise. Look for rainbows. Gaze at stars. See beauty everywhere. Work hard. Be wise. Try to understand. Take time for people. Make time for yourself. Laugh heartily. Spread joy. Take a chance. Reach out. Let someone in. Try something new. Slow down. Be soft sometimes. Believe in yourself. Trust others. See a sunrise. Listen to the rain. Reminisce. Cry when you need to. Trust life. Have faith. Enjoy a wonder. Comfort a friend. Have good ideas. Make some mistakes. Learn from them. Celebrate Life."

Recommended Book

Everywhere I go I am asked, "How can I best help my aging parents?"

The first thing that's important is to help them maintain as much independence as possible. Instead of telling them what you think they should do, ask them to express their thoughts about their future. Keep in close contact with them and show affection for them - support is very important and statements of love must be meaningful to them.

I would like to recommend a book by Virginia Schomp (1997), The Aging Parents Handbook, New York: Harper Paperbacks. This handbook covers a multitude of subjects such as, Health Warning Signs - Needs and Solutions, Staying at Home and Housing Options, Healthy Aging, Common Disorders, Financial Concerns, and Legal Issues. It provides practical suggestions on how to take care of your loved ones.

Hi-Tech Needs Hi-Touch

All os us are aware of the tremendous changes that are occurring in the workplace and even in non-work areas. Technologies have forever changed the structure and functioning of organizations, and therefore, the fundamental nature of work. Workers will have to upgrade their skills and embrace learning as a life-long continuous goal. ^{1, 2}

"The economic, social, demographic and technological changes of the past several years have not only altered the structures of how we work, but have changed the way we live. It is now more difficult to carry out the non-workplace tasks related to maintaining a family and household and/or relationships with significant others.³

Hi-tech has become essential in the workplace but has also become pervasive throughout our society and many activities which required personal contact with another person have now become automated (banking, shopping, entertainment, getting gasoline at automated filling stations, paying toll on toll roads, etc.). Some persons will thrive on these newer activities, but in all cases personal contacts will be reduced and contacts with people will be more limited. ⁴ The human touch as evidenced in daily personal interactions with others, sharing in simple and everyday happenings, adds a positive support with life as it is experience. At a gas station in Arizona, I was filling the tank and my daughter was washing the car windows. Next to us an older person asked my daughter to wash the windows in his car. She said she would. He offered to pay her, which she refused. She said, "I just wanted to clean you windows and talk with you. That's what life is all about. Just being able to stop a spell, exchange greetings, and feel better about this brief experience. That's what life's all about."

Human interactions help one to cope with change, and accept life as it is. Yet, all of us, at times, need the support of persons close to them to share feelings by expressing how one feels (without criticism, but support). The human "touch" provides the emotional support needed to achieve maturity and good mental hygiene.

¹ Craiger, J.P. Technology, organizations, and work in the 20^th century. The Industrial-Organizational Psychologist (343), 89-96. Tampa: Psych Dept., University of South Florida.

² Training, Education and Learning in the Workplace (February 1997). International Personnel Management Association Assessment Council News (ACN), p.16-19.

³ Stress in the Workplace (April 1996). International Personnel Management Association Assessment Council News (ACN), p.24.

⁴ Coping with Change (December 1996). International Personnel Management Association Assessment Council News (ACN), p.13-14.

Clyde is the Director of the Center for Psychological Services, 1608 Sanford Road, Silver Spring, MD 20902. Phone: (301) 754-1070.