Monday Author: Susanne Skinner
“Well I woke up to get me a cold pop and then I thought somebody was barbecuing. I said, Oh Lord Jesus, it’s a fire. Then I ran out, I didn’t grab no shoes or nothin’. Jesus, I ran for my life. And then the smoke got me…I got bronchitis. Ain’t nobody got time for that!”
I like Sweet Brown’s attitude and apparently so do 14 million other people. Her interview and commentary went viral, becoming a YouTube favorite. She offers a funny but real reminder of something my mom often said, “You will never be judged by what happens to you, you will be judged by how you handle it.” Sweet Brown got it right.
Choosing how we handle ourselves in any situation is what defines us. In most instances, we can’t change what happens, but we can choose how we respond as we go forward. The key here is choice. There is always at least one more option than we think we have. The trouble is, we never take the time to find it.
Ain’t Nobody Got Time for That
Sweet Brown inspires me to look closely at the way I handle the serious situations in my life. As a Leo, I understand my temperament. I conclude I should try harder to find that second option. My heroes always respond with Grace, Understanding, Patience and Compassion. Sometimes Forgiveness and even Humor get thrown in for good measure.
I know I can do better.
But for those annoying, frustrating and often ridiculous things we deal with, I’m thinking my new go-to response is Sweet Brown’s …ain’t nobody got time for that!
Looking for Lost Socks
One of life’s great mysteries—the lost sock. Did you know May 9th is National Lost Sock Day? Theories abound on where single, unclaimed socks have gone. When I was raising kids, I was obsessed with this.
No sock left behind—that was my motto. I made sure I bought socks in the same style and color so rogue socks could instantly be re-paired. It was a never-ending quest until one day I realized…ain’t nobody got time for that.
Today, if a rogue sock turns up it has until the next laundry cycle to be reunited, otherwise it gets tossed. No more sock mercy.
Proving I’m Not a Robot
I get why we do this but it’s one of those things I never succeed with on the first try. Or the second or third. Ten years ago, this was innovation. Today, ain’t nobody got time for that,
Google innovation replaced CAPTCHA with a predictive model that eliminates this. Using data samples to capture the distinct differences between a human and a program robot moving a mouse tell them if you are human. That’s because humans move in a human way; bots do not.
Many companies have adopted a format that simply asks you to check a box that says, “I am not a robot” but sometimes we get stuck with the old method of filtering our humanness through an unrecognizable and distorted image.
The Checkbook
I still have a check book, with enough checks to last until the day of my death. I’ve made no attempt to get rid of them because I just know I’m going to need them, even if its once or twice a year.
Today the standard for financial transactions is autopay or the on-line system of point, click, pay. Both simplify my life and I can’t live without them. But occasionally I like to write a check, especially for charitable donations and one-off payments. Otherwise… ain’t nobody got time for that.
Exceptions to the Rule
There are a few exceptions that I cling to. One is hand-written notes. It’s becoming obsolete but I will always have time for that. I still use monogramed stationary, send birthday and sympathy cards, and keep a stash of assorted notecards on hand.
Writing a personal note with a pen and paper might seem outdated; and many believe email correspondence suffices. Email is casual and impersonal, associated with business and matter-of-fact correspondence that provides a written record. A hand-written note is personal and rises above that.
I also keep an old-fashioned address book. I have a contact list in my computer and it serves me well, but I am not ready to abandon my paper-based system. Each December the address book and I sit together with Christmas cards and our holiday letter. We usually invite a glass of wine to join us and begin the annual holiday greeting to friends across the globe. I love writing these notes and love receiving them even more. I will always have time for that.
How Sweet It Is
Sweet Brown is telling us to focus on what matters and that’s exactly what she did. Despite a fire that destroyed her residence she is not letting it define here—she is still in control. Her senses of humor shines through. Although we can feel the pain of her loss we also feel her spirit and resilience.
Click on Sweet Brown’s link if you haven’t already. When you find yourself overly burdened by the daily grind and minutiae of life let her remind you… ain’t nobody got time for that!