Directionally challenged
Do you have a difficult time trying to figure out what direction you’re facing or what direction
you’re traveling?
ME TOO!!!
In general, I know some of the locations of the world’s countries and continents because I have certainly seen them on a globe or other map, but in my own neighborhood? Not so much. I have lived in the same house for 23 years, and I still ask my husband in what direction our neighbors across the street are. If you’re wondering, it’s East…because I just asked him.
It’s not that I don’t care, I really do, but I think directional bearings fall almost to the bottom of my abilities, with mathematics – or arithmetic, as we called it when I was lots younger – at the very bottom of my list.
My eight-year-old grandson excels at math. Just the other day, he was testing his – and therefore our – multiplication skills. What’s 24 x 24? What’s 36 x 36? I am not ashamed to say that with my cell phone somewhat hidden underneath the dining table, I activated my calculator app and came up with the answer to that last query. But I was very honest, so that holding up the answer and facing the calculator toward Lucas, I asked, “Is this the right answer?” Of course it was, but he discerned the answer without electronic assistance.
you’re traveling?
ME TOO!!!
In general, I know some of the locations of the world’s countries and continents because I have certainly seen them on a globe or other map, but in my own neighborhood? Not so much. I have lived in the same house for 23 years, and I still ask my husband in what direction our neighbors across the street are. If you’re wondering, it’s East…because I just asked him.
It’s not that I don’t care, I really do, but I think directional bearings fall almost to the bottom of my abilities, with mathematics – or arithmetic, as we called it when I was lots younger – at the very bottom of my list.
My eight-year-old grandson excels at math. Just the other day, he was testing his – and therefore our – multiplication skills. What’s 24 x 24? What’s 36 x 36? I am not ashamed to say that with my cell phone somewhat hidden underneath the dining table, I activated my calculator app and came up with the answer to that last query. But I was very honest, so that holding up the answer and facing the calculator toward Lucas, I asked, “Is this the right answer?” Of course it was, but he discerned the answer without electronic assistance.
So, I am weak when it comes to directional arrows, and I am super weak when all things numbers are involved, but I am strong in spelling, word definitions, and – for the most part – sentence and paragraph structure.
The bottom line, however, is that what makes us all unique is our varied abilities, and when combined, all those individual parts make a whole, and that’s a very good thing. You complement me, and I complement you, and we all somehow make it through each day we are given. Keep in mind, complement is not the same as compliment, the latter word coming into play when I boost your ego by saying something nice about you.
ANYWAY, let us all celebrate our similarities but also our differences because that, my friends, is what makes the world go around...and speaking of gravitational force, don’t get me started with my science deficits. Suffice it to say, I can probably talk my way out of figuring out the science of our world by writing an essay of some sort…like this one!!!
The bottom line, however, is that what makes us all unique is our varied abilities, and when combined, all those individual parts make a whole, and that’s a very good thing. You complement me, and I complement you, and we all somehow make it through each day we are given. Keep in mind, complement is not the same as compliment, the latter word coming into play when I boost your ego by saying something nice about you.
ANYWAY, let us all celebrate our similarities but also our differences because that, my friends, is what makes the world go around...and speaking of gravitational force, don’t get me started with my science deficits. Suffice it to say, I can probably talk my way out of figuring out the science of our world by writing an essay of some sort…like this one!!!
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Irene Frances Olson
Author of Requiem for the status quo, a novel that celebrates and encourages family caregivers of those with Alzheimer’s or other dementia. You can find that book HERE. In her second novel, A Jagged Journey, Ms. Olson encourages all who have ever hit speedhumps and roadblocks in their personal life, whose opinions and judgments about others may have taken abrupt and unexpected turns, to evolve and arrive at a place where hurt begets joy, where smarts don’t necessarily equate to intelligence, and vulnerability guarantees increased strength. Seems impossible, doesn’t it? Her new novel will make a believer out of you. Ms. Olson authors a blog, www.babyboomersandmore.com, a multi-aged community of diverse interests that is also known as Living: the ultimate team sport. Her weekly contributions have been enjoyed by readers for more than ten years. |
