Moments that Matter

Planning to choose some I’d like to practice:

Early-morning ideas are sometimes a flash of inspiration; make note and/or act before they are lost.

When introduced to someone, let the name sink in for ten seconds before moving on.

Stop and notice a sunrise or sunset in its glory before it fades.

Take a minute to kindly reply to a text message.  

Keep hydrated as needed (4 or 6 seconds).

Turn the TV off.  Choose a good book.

Lay your phone down where you will find it.

Self-talk, “I can do this.”

Manage “senior moments” and good music with unlimited Internet access on a phone.

Say a little prayer for someone in need. 

Write a quick journal note for posterity.

Be grateful for moments that matter. 

Remember: life is good … with love.

Never-ending Notes

As a young worker in an office, I was advised once by my boss, “You’re writing too many notes.”  I had developed the habit in school when I learned to write.  

As a senior using MS Notepad and iPhone Notes, I picked up a disorder called OCD (obsessive-compulsive documenting).  It helped me maintain a blog I started October 20, 2010.  Facing possible dementia down the road, I expect this habit will yield more benefits, sort of like return on investment (ROI), a financial metric.

At the end of my life, given enough spare time, I could review and share … while writing never-ending notes.  I could even copy and paste some to publish a memoir.  As I’ve often said, there is no end …

Perfect Timing

My parents moved our family before I started preschool and kindergarten at schools near our new (old, remodeled) home on 2nd Avenue, Salt Lake City.  It was the perfect location and big backyard for my formative years.  The next move was in the summer before I started junior high school.  Our new home was in the neighborhood of my future wife, Kay Hinckley, and near a favorite cousin my age.  The timing couldn’t have been better. 

After Kay’s 3-year mission as a teen in Vancouver BC, and my 2-year mission in Argentina, we happened to be in the same Music Appreciation class at the University of Utah.  We began dating as assigned by our professor to attend a symphony concert.  Other concerts and study sessions followed.  We fell in love.  Perfect timing, thank Heaven!

Truly, I could write a book about many blessings I have received from Heavenly Father, my earthly parents, and Kay’s parents — all at the right time and place.  We are so grateful.

Questions for seniors to ask

Before it’s too late, seniors like I should ask,

“Did I leave anything on top of my car?”

(Yes — Sunday night.  A sign of brain fog?)

One of these may ring a bell:

Why am I going into the next room?

What things matter most?

Am I addicted to collecting? 

Whom may I serve today?

All About Anecdotes

Any story will do for conversation, a speech, or writing, as long as it’s short and personal.  To qualify as an anecdote according to all-knowing AI Overview, it should also "offer a quick example that helps an audience process information, understand a complex topic, or feel a connection."  (My experience in Toastmasters International must have taught me that, so why did I have to look it up?  Rhetorical question.)

For example, I remember being in Wayne’s Barbershop on Third Avenue, Salt Lake City, when Russell M. Nelson brought in his little son for his first haircut.  So cute!  To this day, as President Nelson celebrated his 101st birthday, that scene is unforgettable.  I guess it was years later when Dr. Russell Nelson performed heart surgery to save my father’s life.  One of the Nelsons’ beautiful daughters was in my East High Seminary class.  Another daughter was in Kay Hinckley’s East High class.

For many reasons, I feel a connection to our dear Prophet, who lovingly leads and teaches by example worldwide.  He so blesses friends and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Kay & I are grateful for President Nelson’s good life.  Happy birthday!

An iPhone, Watch, and I

Incredibly, I made it through 17 years of school (not counting preschool) and 19 years of marriage without a cell phone.  How did we do it?!  Was life so much simpler?  (Fast-scan this to compare.)

One call I remember used the yellow wall phone in the lower-level recreation room in our big home on Northcrest Drive.  I carried the handset into the hall for privacy, as I gathered courage to invite a young woman to a high school dance.  Getting a date was a scary challenge for this shy boy, despite having freely enjoyed private group dances throughout 8th grade — unforgettable.

Big jump ahead, past the “brick phone” years, and past the smaller one I carried in my back pocket for business management.  Years later, I downsized to a favorite phone with a slide-out keyboard.   At some point, a cheap Cricket was my extra business device to avoid exceeding my minutes limit.

Then iPhone came and changed my life.  Several years ago, an upgrade deal got me an Apple Watch at half price and a Bluetooth JBL Clip Speaker; all three were life-changing.  Side note: by sliding a button on the left side of iPhone, I intentionally kept it on silent 24/7 since October 2018, and usually only answered calls on my Contact list — never telemarketing or scam calls.  Text messaging has saved me countless hours of conversation when I’m in a hurry.  Answering some calls on my Watch has been helpful when my hands are tied.  Unlimited Internet access in hand manages frequent “senior moments” and music; Personal Hotspot connects my laptop.  Notes files easily handle journals etc.  Frequent Copy-&-Paste is too easy.  Kay & I would’ve been lost without iPhones on our Detroit mission.  Google Docs and Google Sheets work anywhere while waiting in line, on hold, or in bed.   Have I mentioned my OC photography and photo-journaling?

With iPhone and Watch used conservatively, I stay on the path to “Simplify! Simplify!”

Just saying …

Part of my personal history must be what I say and think of saying.  Just a few examples:

(To family:) “You can wake up now.”

(Waiting behind cars at a stop light, to prompt drivers:) “You can go now!”

(Explanation:) “I always sit in the back row, so I can see all the people … especially the latecomers.”

(Wishful thinking:) “I want to attend Relief Society, but I really wouldn’t fit in.”

(Personal planning:) “Monday is my day of rest.”

(To clarify — avoid ambiguity, especially on Sunday:) “It's next week, not this week.”

(Admiring new cars in a showroom, am I interested?) “Yes!”  (Am I looking to buy?)

“I prefer not to.”  (Why?) “I prefer not to say.”

(Not in sales training manuals.  Always works.)

(Aging thing:) “I forgot, so I Google-searched.”

(Good news after 25 moves, smiling:) “My peaceful, top-floor apartment is facing west … for the sunset of my life. I will never move again.”

(Getting more personal, revealing:) “My TV is still in the box. I prefer to read.”

(Introduction in ARP group I support:) “I’m Ned, a recovering collector.”

(Keeping life simple:) “I’m a wannabe minimalist.”

(From my experience:) “Healthy, favorite snacks: oatmeal raisin cookies and dark chocolate.”

Speaking for many Utahns, “My all-time favorite main course is funeral potatoes.”

(At church and concerts:) “I like an empty seat next to me, in case my wife Kay takes a break to sit and visit. It’s about love.”

Just saying.