March 26, 2025
BG’s Positively Speaking
Gaining Influence
Gaining influence is a process that requires authenticity, strategic action, and consistent relationship-building. At its core, influence stems from trust and respect. People gravitate towards those they believe in, value, and admire. To gain influence, start by mastering your area of expertise. Knowledge is power, and being well-informed in your field establishes credibility. However, expertise alone isn’t enough—effective communication is essential. Articulate your ideas clearly and tailor your message to resonate with your audience. Use storytelling to connect emotionally, as people are often swayed by narratives reflecting their experiences or aspirations.
Building genuine relationships is another cornerstone of influence. Take time to understand the needs, goals, and values of others. Empathy and active listening foster trust and demonstrate that you genuinely care. Networking strategically can also help expand your reach, but always prioritize quality over quantity—strong connections have a far more significant impact than superficial ones. Lead by example. Be consistent, uphold your principles, and deliver on promises. Authenticity and integrity are non-negotiable; without them, influence becomes fleeting.
Adaptability is key. The ability to evolve, stay relevant, and embrace new ideas ensures that your influence remains decisive even in changing circumstances. Lastly, provide value at every opportunity. Be a source of support, inspiration, and solutions for others, and they’ll naturally see you as someone worth following.
Influence is not about control—it’s about inspiring others and creating meaningful, positive change. By aligning actions with values, anyone can cultivate enduring influence.
Editors Quote Book
“The squeaky wheel doesn’t always get the grease. Sometimes, it gets replaced.”
—Victor Gold
The Introduction
During an international exhibition, a Spaniard stayed in a room next to a Swede. On the first evening, he took a bottle of wine and went to introduce himself to the Swede. Knocking on the door, he heard a voice ask, “Who’s there?” “Juan Fernando Emanuel di Silva, ” responded the Spaniard. To which the Swede replied, “Come in, and please, would the last one in close the door?”
Why English Is Hard To Learn
We’ll begin with box; the plural is boxes, But the plural of ox is oxen, not oxes.
One fowl is a goose, and two are called geese, Yet the plural of moose is never called meese.
You may find a lone mouse or a house full of mice, But the plural of house is houses, not hice.
The plural of man is always men, But the plural of pan is never pen.
If I speak of a foot, and you show me two feet, And I give you a book, would a pair be a beek?
If one is a tooth and a whole set are teeth, Why shouldn’t two booths be called beeth?
If the singular’s this and the plural is these, Should the plural of kiss be ever called keese?
We speak of a brother and of brethren, But though we say mother, we never say methren.
The masculine pronouns are he, his, and him; But imagine the feminine… she, shis, and shim!
A New Brunswick Home
My husband and I purchased an old home in New Brunswick from two elderly sisters. Winter was fast approaching, and I was concerned about the house’s lack of insulation. “If they could live here all those years, so can we!” my husband confidently declared. One November night, the temperature plunged below minus 20, and we woke up to find interior walls covered with frost. My husband called the sisters to ask how they had kept the house warm. After a brief conversation, he hung up. “For the past 30 years,” he muttered, “they’ve spent winters in Florida.”
Trivia Quiz
(Click Question For Answer)
Up Here In Canada!
In the 55 years since I arrived in Canada, I have never seen an outpouring of patriotism. It seems like there is a new anthem posted on YouTube every day. Along with dozens of messages extolling the virtues of Canada being Canadian. This weeks video is a little ditty I came across a couple of days ago. It is performed in a very Canadian manner, a little self effacing, tongue -in -cheek style that is definitely of true north origin.
Your Horoscope
For Amusement Only
Aries, March 21–April 19: Get Creative and think outside the box. New doors will open for you, and new experiences will manifest.
Taurus April 20 – May 20: A recent financial setback will be resolved. Don’t over-celebrate, or you could wind up back there again. Restrain yourself.
Gemini May 21 – June 20: Diplomacy should be your watchword for this week. Tact and common sense should be the rule of the day.
Cancer June 21 – July 22: There is no easy way out; don’t waste your time looking for it. Put your head down and push through
July 23 – August 22: Romance could be in. Giverks, give it a chance. Be alert for the signs, and most of all, be prepared.
Virgo August 23 – September 22: New friends take up much of your time. Don’t neglect your old and faithful friends. They have served you well.
Libra September 23 – October 22: Start thinking of gifts for upcoming events. Some of the best gifts you can give cost little and mean so much.
Scorpio October 23 – November 21: Some unexpected good news will arrive this week. It could be in the form of something you have been wanting.
Sagittarius November 22 – December 21: Don’t let technology hold you back. Seek out some courses that will help you get back up to speed.
Capricorn December 22 – January 19: Re-evaluate your career goals. A potential change to your physical location is in the works. Get yourself prepared.
Aquarius, January 20 – February 18: Life is not a free ride. Everything has a cost, and we must be ready to pay the price for success.
Pisces February 19 – March 20: This is not the time to make life-changing decisions. You should only make those decisions that you have to.
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Cowboy Stories
The eastern lady, ready to ride horseback, asked the cowboy, “Can you get me a nice gentle pony?” “Shore,” said the cowboy. “What kind of a saddle do you want, English or western?” “What’s the difference?” asked the lady. “The western saddle has a horn on it,” said the cowboy. “If the traffic is so heavy here in the mountains that I need a horn on my saddle,” said the lady, “I don’t think I want to ride.”
Swint and Fess, two Oklahoma cowboys, were resting their horses out on the range. “What’d Emmaline give yew for yore birthday?” asked Swint. “Pair of cufflinks,” said Fess. “But I ain’t got no use for them, I can’t even find anyplace to get my wrists pierced.”
Visitor to Dude ranch cowboy: “Wow, you have a lot of flies buzzing round your horses and cows. Do you ever shoo them? Cowboy: No we just let them go barefoot.
The Last Word
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting a tomato in a fruit salad.
WELL DONE !
The May 1st edition was the best I’ve read since becoming a follower. Positively Speaking……logical and smack on, the quiz, difficult but for the first time ever I’m 8 for 8! The bog island vid…who’d a thunk?
I can’t be all positive though.
The sand which board with I b4 e was a tough one for my aging eyes.
Lastly, could your font be slightly larger with the adds just a wee bit smaller.
So many magazines, internet articles, etc have yet to learn that their main audience is aging and eyes are not what they were of days past.
Keep up the good work.
PS: Adds work. I’ve used more than one company you’ve listed with total satisfaction (politicians excepted)
Hi Dave. Firstly thanks so much for the comments. I’m not the writer of this stuff just the web guy. While reading anything that you find is too small on the internet generally all you need to do is hit your Control and the plus key or minus key together to increase or decrease the size of things. I’m afraid if we reduce the ads any smaller they won’t be readable and of course it’s due to their investment in the Perkolator that the publication can actually exist 🙂 Happy Spring.
Today’s edition is the same as last weeks.
Apologies Howard. It’s now fixed. The automation wasn’t automatic!!!
Please don’t change anything, I look forward to my weekly paper
We’re glad to hear that you’re enjoying The Perkolator.. You keep reading it and we will keep it coming.
Why, when I’m already a subscriber must the pop up SUBSCRIBE for double your pleasure pop up in the first place? Oh, I just realized, you can’t have pop ups in your printed newsletter.
Silly me.
As well. Without being “logged into” a website, there’s no way for it to determine who you are. SO it displays for everyone 🙂
Lately your articles seem to be very anti-woman. I’m most certainly going to stop reading!
Good day Jessica. I do hope that you are still reading The Perkolator. Although you don’t say which articles you found objectionable, I can assure you that we, at The Perkolator, are not anti-women. In fact, if we look back to past issues men are the Butt of more jokes and stories than are women. In our world we need to find the humour in our words, habits, situations, and actions more often, whether we are male of female. The ability to laugh at ourselves and our humanness allows us to cope better with the stresses in life. I hope that you will consider continuing to read The Perkolator, understanding that we are only joking and mean no offense.
Best Regards.
Brian G