|
Webmaster Darryl Anthony |
|
Column: “My Point” |
|
My Past Articles |
|
Featured Writer |
|
Submit your article or comments to this email address. -OR- Do you have a question or comment for one of our writers? We will forward your email to them. webmaster@cordellchamber.org |
|
Writers that submit articles regularly are listed as “Featured Writers” and their past articles are archived individually under their name.
Writers that submit articles only occasionally are listed as “Contributing Writers” and their past articles are archived collectively. |
|
The viewpoints submitted on this site are not necessarily the opinion of the Cordell Chamber of Commerce or it’s members. |
|
The articles listed on this page/category and within this website is for entertainment and information purposes only. Advice or suggestions should not necessarily be taken literally or followed. The authors are not responsible or liable for any harm or loss to anyone or their property due to the content of their article. Any advice or instructions followed by reader will be at reader’s own risk. Furthermore, we are not responsible for the accuracy of submitted content. |
|
Writers are volunteers and not compensated in any way. The Cordell Chamber and this Webmaster appreciate their interest, dedication and participation in giving their time and talent to make this a better website that local and global readers can enjoy. A Sincere Thanks! |
|
My Point. By Webmaster 04/24/10 Subject: The Old Days
Today’s kids take for granted such things as cell phones, digital TV’s and computers. I wonder what they would do without these conveniences. Not too many years ago none of these electronic gadgets even existed. So what did people do in their spare time? Life back then was not necessarily easy, it was just simpler. People would actually go to their neighbor’s house for a visit. In other words, talk to each other without a cell phone. Young kids would go outside and play various games like hide-and-seek or some pretend game they would simply invent. Teens might play basketball or walk to the corner for an ice cream.
Would I personally like to relive those days, NO! I enjoy my cell phone. I love watching a good movie in full high definition. And I don’t know how I ever got anything done without a computer.
On the other hand, there is no reason we can’t bring back some of those experiences from days gone by. How, you ask? What about getting to know your family better by insisting on just 1 evening a week where the whole family has dinner together with the TV turned off. Or, go visit a friend and maybe walk to a nearby pizza place making sure that both of you agree to keep your cell phone turned off for 1 hour. You may just find a whole new outlook on life, a better understanding within your family and gain more appreciation of things around you.
My point is: Life may be easier today, but is it any better if you sacrifice personal interaction? |
|
My Point. By Webmaster 03/19/10 Subject: Humor
Have you ever been near a person that had a wonderful deep down belly laugh that just goes on and on? What do others around that person do, they start to laugh also. And you may not even know what that person is laughing about. It’s a fact that laughter is more contagious than a sneeze or cough. It has also been proven that humor and laughter strengthen your immune system, boost your energy, diminish pain, and protect you from the damaging effects of stress.
Try these suggestions: Take yourself less seriously. Sometimes things aren’t as bad as they seem. So, try to find humor in different situations especially if they are too serious and you want to change the subject. Be more spontaneous. Let go of defensiveness. Laughter helps you forget judgments, criticisms, and doubts.
If you have a good sense of humor, then your personality will shine through and people will want to be around you.
My point is: A smile and laughter is far more appealing than a frown. Don’t you agree? |
|
Cordell Oklahoma Chamber of Commerce 580-832-3538 |
|
My Point. By Webmaster 04/12/10 Subject: Landscapes
Over the years I’ve talked to many visitors from other countries that came to the U.S.A. for vacation or holiday. They would fly into a large city, rent a car then drive our state highways. When questioned why they traveled along some of the most desolate stretches of pavement in the country, they all had the same response. Most of these visitors came from very densely populated countries. They simply didn’t have the wide open spaces that we take for granted here in this country. They were fascinated how they could drive for miles and only occasionally see a small town or farmhouse. But, I mentioned that there was nothing to see on these long boring drives. They would give me a puzzling look and politely tell me just how wrong I was. These visitors would see the beauty that we missed such as the thousands of plants in their ever changing hues and textures and the occasional wild animal or hawk that would cross their path. Then there were the rolling hills, deserts, Great Plains and mile high mountains with each region having their own unique landscapes. With each mile traveled, our guests would marvel at the visual effects they were experiencing that we seem to ignore.
I was obviously missing something. I always do the driving, no matter who is in the car with me. But, after talking to these people I decided to try something different. A few times I had someone else drive a road that I had traversed a thousand times. But, because I wasn’t at the wheel I was able to take a look at the landscape going by me. I was amazed at what I discovered. I saw things I had never seen before. There was a farmhouse I didn’t even know was there. I also spotted a store and ask my driver how long it had been there, only to find out that it had been there for years.
Yes, we do seem to take things for granted and don’t notice the beauty around us in our busy lives. Maybe it’s time we slowed down a bit and take a look around us. On your next trip have your friend or spouse drive for a few miles so you can appreciate the sights around you. If you have kids with you then make a list of things they need to find or spot on your next long drive (not just certain cars). The list might include: a red BARN, a spotted cow, a hawk, a barbed wire fence, a farm tractor, you get the idea.
My point is: Our own back yard is a wondrous and beautiful place. We just need to open our eyes to see it. |
|
My Point. By Webmaster 05/12/10 Subject: Helpful Household Hints
I’ve heard of and tried many helpful hints over the years, but very few actually work as they were intended. Some things barely worked and others didn’t help at all. However, there are a few that I’ve tried that did the job far better than I expected. Here are a few hints that work for me and should work for you.
Use baby oil on a stainless steel sink. Thoroughly clean your stainless steel sink then dry it with an old lint free rag. After making sure the sink is completely dry, pour a small amount of baby oil in the sink. Use a paper towel to evenly coat the entire sink. Let it set for at least 30 minutes. Then take another clean and dry paper towel and wipe off the excess oil. You will not only have a bright and shiny sink, but it will also reduce water spots and resist stains which in turn will keep your sink clean much longer than without using baby oil.
Use shaving cream on a bathroom mirror. Spread a small amount of shaving cream on a clean bathroom mirror. Wipe off the excess with a lint free cloth. (Do not use a cloth that has been washed with fabric softener in the rinse cycle because this will cause streaks. And do not use paper towels because some of them use chemicals and this will cause streaks also with some paper towels.) You will find that the mirror will not fog up after a hot steamy shower near as much. And your fog-less mirror will last for about a week.
I really don’t recall just where I heard about these useful ideas, but they actually work.
My point is: Sometimes you don’t have to spend a lot of money to accomplish a task that makes life a whole lot easier. |
|
My Point. By Webmaster 05/23/10 Subject: TV
There has been controversy about watching too much TV ever since the Television set has been around. To me, it’s a matter of degree. You can overdue anything in life. And when you indulge too much in anything, then it can create problems. That being said, I believe that there are valuable benefits to watching TV.
With the numerous channels and the wide variety of programming there are subjects to interest everyone. What many viewers don’t seem to realize is that watching TV is not only entertaining, but it is also very educational. For example, when you watch a game show where contestants have to answer questions, then you are learning. The same holds true with programs about animals, news, geography, cooking, home repair, history and the list goes on and on. You can even learn on shopping channels by seeing a demonstration of how a product works. There have even been studies about the benefits of playing video games. Although, as I said before, watching TV should be done in moderation. After all, there are many other ways to learn and be entertained so give them a try also.
My point is: Don’t dismiss the beneficial aspects of what you thought of as just entertainment. But, don’t over indulge either. |
|
Cordell Chamber of Commerce |
|
Articles Page 2 |
|
|
|
Featured Writer |
|
“Car Crazy” By: Donna Goeringer |
|
My Past Articles |
|
Chamber Board Member |
|
Featured Writer |
|
Judge Chris Kelly |
|
My Past Articles |
|
“From The Third Floor of The Courthouse” |
|
Claudia Gray |
|
Featured Writer |
|
My Past Articles |
|
My Point. By Webmaster 06/25/10 Subject: I’m so bored
There is nothing on TV. I’ve played every game on my computer. My friends are busy so we can’t hang out. I just don’t have anything to do and I’m so bored that I can’t stand it.
Does that sound familiar? Have you or your kid said or thought the same thing? I wonder why we seem to get tired of something so quickly. Not long ago there was no such thing as cable TV with 200 channels. We only had 4 channels and yet we were able to find something to watch. We didn’t have word processors or cell phones for texting. Instead we sat down and wrote our friends or relatives a letter with a real pen and paper. As for games, we played cards or other board games. Or, we gathered at the bowling alley or went out in the fresh air for a round of golf.
I personally think there are two main reasons for our boredom. First, we live in a fast paced world. Texting only takes seconds to get our message across. Whereas a letter sent by mail takes days to arrive. Playing games on a computer or Wii is fun, full of action and requires quick reactions. In comparison bowling or golf takes time and is slower paced. This means you also have time to visit with your friends while you play. The second reason for our boredom is related to the first reason. We are extremely impatient. We don’t care what it is, we just want it now. We want our food ready in minutes instead of hours. We insist on fast service in everything we do in our busy lives. We just don’t have the time to sit and wait for anything.
Most of us will never change this mindset. We will always run instead of walk. But, is this lifestyle really healthy or even as fun as we think it is? Sometimes I wonder.
My point is: If you rush through life, you will miss some memories that will never come again. |
|
Dean Jackson Entertainer |
|
Featured Writer |
|
My Past Articles |
|
My Point by: Webmaster 08/12/10 Subject: Friends
There are some who have many friends and some who have only a very small circle of friends. Then there are those that have just one best friend. But, just how do you determine what constitutes a friend? I suppose there are many factors involved when calling someone a friend. Is because you hang out together? Is it because you confide in this person and tell them everything? Or, is it because you know they can be trusted and relied on?
Personally I feel the reasons are many and the question of who is a friend can be complicated... Or is it?! The definition of a friend is: one whom you bond with, mutual affection, supporter, etc. Perhaps the whole friends thing just comes down to one thing... You simply like them.
I know a few people that don’t fall into the true definition of a “friend”. Yet, I consider theses people to be my friends. In the true sense they would be considered by most as a “casual friend”. I really don’t hang out with theses people or call them every day, yet to me they are friends. Why, you may ask, do I feel that way toward these people? The reason is just as I said, because I like them.
My point is: If you broaden your views then you may find that you have many more friends than you know. Because many people may just “like” you too. |