YOU THINK EVERYONE IS LIKE YOU

I indeed obsess. After posting a few rounds of a Tuesday blog with no known audience, I began a trial run by sending my writings to a few friends and relatives. Soon, they were asking for weekly reminders. 

It all began four years ago, with my husband’s encouragement and the gift of a website from our children, with our son Judd as webmaster. Posting blogs every Tuesday seemed pointless without followers. Then, seeing my personal fan club build, I compiled a group of ever-increasing “Tuesday” email addresses.

Having unknown readers give me “hits” to increase my analytics is super. Yet, it’s more pleasing to count on my list of weekly responders, capped off with a dose of humor from my friend Kevin. That always makes my day and keeps me writing.

After a lengthy collection of Tuesday blog posts, I addressed my audience from my Tuesday email address list to inquire about who wanted to remain on my reminder list. Disappointed by receiving little feedback, I commented to my husband Arnee that there were so few replies. He quickly pointed out, “You think everyone is like you.” My friend Marita said probably others like her don’t read the entire email, and instead, they opt to go directly to the link for my blog post.   

Along those lines, when I called Arnee over to the computer to discuss answers to a Gun Control Survey from a Sandy Hook shooting victim’s parent, Arnee said, “Who, other than you agonizes over answers to a survey question?”

I couldn’t help but laugh. Surely, I’m not alone; after all, the contestants on the television game show Family Feud regularly agonized over the survey questions as the host shouted for the responses…”The Survey Says!” I must have watched one too many episodes of that popular game show!

The bottom line, Arnee summed it up beautifully, “You think everyone is like you. People are not meticulous.” 

I agree that not everyone is like me. That said, I’ll allow myself to remain meticulous, but I do need to take control of my emotions when it comes to the tsuris (troubles) of others.

While at my age, change is difficult, I aim to work at letting things people say roll off my shoulders and stop putting myself in others’ shoes. The ultimate challenge will be learning to be less empathetic to every troubled person I see on the news.

Live and learn. Maybe. A New Year’s resolution? Could be.

From the Family Feud ”The Survey Says!”