December 7, 2022

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BG’s Positively Speaking

“Are You Being Served?”

You may recognize the title above from a British sitcom about the misadventures of the staff in a retail store. I chose the title because it describes what most people think of when the words ‘serve’ and ‘service’ are spoken. We automatically think about what is being done FOR us and not about what we can do for others or how we can help the people around us.

Let’s change the title to “Are You Being Of Service?”  it takes on a different meaning. We all benefit from raising our awareness of serving other people. Whatever we do for a living, we provide a service to someone. First, to our employers, then directly or indirectly to the customers of our employers. At any level, those working in public service positions must realize that the taxpayer is the customer.

Beyond the workplace, what about serving others, not for reward, but just because we can: hold the door for someone, buy that shut-in neighbour a coffee and doughnut, give the homeless person that everyone is passing by a word of encouragement, maybe a warm drink. It doesn’t matter why they are in that situation; they are human beings like us. Offer some help unpacking or packing boxes at the Food Bank. Be creative, and think of something you can offer; it’s surprising how a little can mean so much to others who have less.

While in Peterborough, I observed a lady as she stopped to help someone struggling with boxes of donations for the Salvation Army Store. The lady stepped in, grabbed a couple of boxes and led the way into the store. The whole thing took less than two minutes, a small gesture that meant a lot to one person. A few weeks ago, at the drive-through, I was told the person in the vehicle in front had paid for my coffee. Surprise, Surprise!

Ask yourself….. Are You Being Of Service?

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Wearing Fireman’s Helmets?

In a small Southern US. town, there was a “Nativity Scene” that showed great skill and talent had gone into creating it. However, one minor feature bothered me. The three wise men were wearing firefighters’ helmets. Totally unable to come up with a reason or explanation, I left. At a “Quik Stop” on the edge of town, I asked the lady behind the counter about the helmets. She looked at me like I was dumber than dirt and said, “You darn Northerners never do read the Bible!” I assured her I did but couldn’t recall anything about firefighters in the Bible. She jerked her Bible from behind the counter, ruffled through some pages, and finally jabbed her finger at a passage. Sticking it in my face, she said, “See, it says right here, ‘The three wise men came from afar.’

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A New Law

Two guys walk into a bar and order lunch. “What brings you guys in today?” the bartender asks. “I guess you haven’t heard yet. The mayor passed a law yesterday to try to help out

 local restaurants during COVID-19. All adult males are required to go and eat lunch out with their best male friends at least once a week,” one of the guys answers the bartender. “Well it’s not a law really,” the other guy corrects him. “It’s more of a MANdate.”

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A Time Traveller In Ancient Rome

An overweight time traveller goes to ancient Rome and realizes he wore historically incorrect clothes for the trip. Realizing his mistake, he visits a toga shop to purchase new clothes. He looks around the shop and realizes they do not have togas big enough to fit him. So he goes to the counter and asks the clerk: “Do you have XL togas?”The clerk answers: “Well, yes. But why do you need so many?”

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Editors Quote Book

“The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself.”

—  George Bernard Shaw

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Trivia Quiz

(Click Question For Answer)

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Your Horoscope

For Amusement Only

ARIES Mar. 21-Apr. 19:   Pay attention to dress and behaviour. Don’t be taken in by the “flash .”You will get what you see.

TAURUS Apr. 20-May 20:  A friend opens up to you. Having an open and frank conversation will be beneficial for both of you.

GEMINI May 21-June 20:  Childish behaviour will be demonstrated by those around you. Bring them into line with some gentle prods.

CANCER June 21-July 22:  When problem-solving, leave nothing to chance. Make sure your communications are fully understood by everyone.

LEO July 23-Aug 22: With some people, flattery does not work. You would be well-advised to keep your distance until called on.

VIRGO Aug. 23-Sept. 22:   A romantic dinner could spark the flames of romance. Don’t push things too hard. Be patient but stay open.

LIBRA Sept. 23-Oct. 22:   A new project will require more effort and creativity. It’s a time to be patient and move forward gradually.

SCORPIO Oct. 23-Nov. 21:   A perfect partnership is built on compromise. Both partners must feel equal in the relationship for it to work.

SAGITTARIUS Nov. 22-Dec. 21:  Avoid those who are not willing to make a commitment. Move on to new relationships. That’s where the future lies.

CAPRICORN Dec. 22-Jan. 19: Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Use the wisdom of someone with more experience to guide you.

AQUARIUS Jan. 20-Feb. 18:   Spend time with one who is lonely; let them know they are not alone. We all need to feel wanted.

PISCES Feb. 19-Mar. 20:   Look for some alternative investment strategies. Small moves made now can significantly impact your future security.

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Long Time Friends

The two older men had been friends for decades and shared many adventures and activities. However, they are now confined to meeting weekly to play cards. As they sat facing each other across the card table, one man said to the other, “I know we have been friends for a long time and I do hope that you will forgive me, but I can’t, for the life of me, remember your name. Would you mind telling me your name?” The other man thought for a few moments, then quietly asked, “How soon do you need to know?”

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Did You Know?

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Bad Hair Day?

 

Having a bad hair day? Spare some thought for your great-grandparents because, in their time, it took about 10 hours to complete the process of waving hair to withstand washing, weather and time. Then, however, the advent of electricity sparked a major change in hairdressing. In 1906, hairdresser Karl Nessler – Known as Charles Nestlé – invented the permanent-wave machine.

The relatively large machine, pictured at the right – comparable in size to a small fridge – took almost 20 minutes to get to usable heat and up to 10 hours to complete perming. Still, it was great 20th-century technology and made the perm more popular. The following year a Parisian chemistry student, Eugène Schueller, founded the company L’Oréal. He created a dye to cover gray hair with natural-looking colours in a permanent process. As a result, he made life a little more fun for many people.

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Gifting.

I got my son an iPhone for his birthday this year. A few weeks earlier, I had given my daughter an iPod for hers. So I was really pleased when I got an iPad for Father’s day. In keeping with the theme, I bought my wife an iRon for her birthday. That’s when the fight started.

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The Last Word

If voting changed anything, they’d make it illegal.

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