shyjot.com

Lurking

Hi everyone. I know it is nice to just sit back and lurk around websites. Done it myself. But after building shyjot.com and writing a few blogs, I discovered that more people lurk than not. Now I leave more comments sharing my thoughts, because I realize people do want - no they need feedback. I hope some day you feel comfortable enough here that you will add a comment. If you would like to send us a comment but do not want it open to the public, you can let me know that in the comment and it will be just between us. Comments do not automatically appear, but have to be approved first. I would like to publish some so others know they aren’t the only ones following us. Either way I would like to hear from you. I have so many questions only you can answer. Who are you? What do you find appealing about our blogs and our site? If you could change one thing about our website, what would it be? Do you have any problems navigating through ShyJot? Many changes have been made recently and there are more to come.  Still looks the same? Hit the refresh button. Enjoy checking it out and come back often. Until next time…

Autumn Time

Hi. guys! I guess everyone is settling down for a while. It has been awfully quiet lately. I see where some of you are still dropping by for a visit, though. Kids are getting back to school and vacations are over. Time to get back to schedules. It is a hectic time of year. Just don’t forget to come by and say hello from time to time. We miss you when you don’t. If there are any newbie that have stopped for a visit, leave us a little note too.

I would love to see a nice long Fall. We enjoyed one last year. It is my most favorite season. I am thrilled when the crisp air has that hint of coolness. It is refreshing after the last hot days of summer that have lingered much too long. The oppressive heat replaced with breathable air. The rustling of the brightly colored leaves shaking the memory to produce memories of Falls experienced throughout the years. Orange pumpkins transformed into Halloween creatures by a few cuts of a sharp knife while the aroma of pies made from the meat fills the air. The brilliantly colored mums grouped together in a magnificent display resembling an artist’s pallet. Just thinking about it produces a joy in me that shows as it draws a smile on my face.

What is your favorite time of year? Why do you like it?

Until next time…

Singing Pigs

Singing Pigs?!? Did you ever hear of such a thing? No and you probably won’t either.

I spent many hours several years back with a friend that often would say, “Never try to teach a pig to sing. It annoys the pig and waste your time.”

Now why would she say such a thing? Because she had learned through the years that try as you may, you can’t teach someone something that they don’t want to learn. Trying to do so only annoys them and waste your time.

Have you ever known someone that fits this category? Sure you have. Everyone has. It is most frustrating to deal with this type of person. It is a pretty smug feeling to be right and know that this pig could sing just by following a few simple directions. You are just trying to help them out after all. There is no reason for them to be so annoyed.

The bigger question is: Have you ever been the pig? Whoops, did you just cringe? That answer isn’t so much fun. Each of us has been the one that was stubborn, argumentative, and annoyed by someone trying to teach us to sing.

Now everyone has limitations on their abilities but that is not this discussion. Is it actually possible for a pig to sing? I don’t know, but I do know they are not the most cooperative animals around.

Maybe if today is the day you choose to be a pig, you could just open your mind a little and try to sing. You just might discover talents you never knew you had. Maybe you discover you don’t really have a talent for singing but you find enjoyment in the trying. Maybe repeating this saying as teacher or pig would help each person have a better attitude toward the situation.

Here’s hoping you stretch yourself this week and SING.

People Watching

I watch people always wondering what is happening in their lives. Sometimes there is a sadness that I feel as I watch. It is a cloud hanging in the air around the person. Putting one foot in front of the other takes every ounce of effort from the body. I wish I could do something for them. My mind wonders through several scenarios of what might by causing them such agony. I am most likely wrong on all accounts, but still I wonder. I whisper few soft words of encouragement to endure thinking they might just reach the person’s heart.

Then there are the people that are in such a happy place their feet barely touch the ground. Again my mind drifts as to the circumstances surrounding so much joy. My spirit lifts as I watch them float by in front of me. This time I whisper words of encouragement to imprint this moment so they can remember it when it is needed.

Watching others awakens me to the reality of how we each influence even the people we don’t know are watching. We can bring someone down or lift one up by our attitude. We should not fake our feelings, but instead be true to ourselves. Sometimes we do have bad days, weeks, or months. Sometimes we just get into a habit of being negative about everything.

Have you ever known someone who always looks for the positive in every situation? That person’s life has not always been easy. What makes the difference? Decision. The person decided to look for the best in everyone and everything. I have had the pleasure of knowing a few of these people. I want to be around them. Everyone that knows them wants to be around them.

It seems much easier to slip into looking for the things that are wrong. Wouldn’t the world be a better place if we all decided to look for good around us? Does that mean we ignore things that are wrong or evil? Do we have a Polly Anna attitude like the ostrich sticking its head in the sand? Of course not. We don’t put on blinders. But most of the things we let get us down aren’t that big. When we live a life of looking for good, it is easier to see the things that really do need our concern.

If you don’t believe me, go to a mall and find a place to sit where people pass. Then watch the people as they come and go. How do you feel when you see a smiling face? What about when the face is sighing, frowning, or just sad? What kind of person are you? What kind are you trying to become? The decision is yours.

Inspiration

Inspiration appears often out of the most unusual circumstances.

A smile. A look. A nod of the head. Small daily gestures that can lift the spirit of a tired weary soul. It may inspire one person to help lift another.

A giggle. A squeal. A child gleefully playing a game. Children enjoy life deeply. A heart leaps at the mere sound of a child’s resounded laughter. It may inspire a person to enjoy the small things in life more and to laugh more.

A letter. A card. An email. A phone message. People reaching out. The receiver feels a quick hug from a caring person while the sender feels a sense of joy by the thoughts of bringing a little pleasure to another. It may inspire a person to let someone else know they are not forgotten.

It seems that one of these gifts will always show up the moment you needs a little encouragement. Sometimes they come from people you knows; sometime it is from people unknown and the encounter fleeting. Be watchful. You may be shunning gifts meant for you. Look for them. You may be surprised at how many gifts you receive in a day. It may inspire you to give a few of these small inexpensive to others around you.

Inspiration. Where do you find it?

Ghost Writing

“What is ghostwriting?” is a question that has been asked several times since we published shyjot.com in April. The follow-up question is, “Why would you want to do that?”

The first question has a technical answer. Ghostwriting is writing books, articles, stories, or reports which are officially credited to another person.

The second question has a more passionate answer. You have to know a little about me to understand the reason.

You see, my husband and I had the most amazing experience of traveling the US and Canada for six years. We didn’t just see the tourist places, but the small towns of North America. During this time, we met so many people with fascinating lives that they felt were just ordinary, dull, and boring. This process fed my belief that everyone has a story to tell and the world needs to know these stories.

The second part of the puzzle as to why I feel this desire to ghost write for people has to do with another part of my past. I have worked in funeral homes where I saw a deep personal part of life stories. It is a place where I saw how each person touches so many lives. It is a place where memories are shared of the person’s personality traits, accomplishments, and relationships.

A lifetime of relationships and events could never be fully covered in one book, but it is a start. Think about your life. Think about the people in your life. Think about it objectively. Don’t you agree your life and theirs have some amazing chapters in it? Do you see how any life could be a page turning – can’t put down book? I can and am working on some currently that will be just that.

My First Blog

Hello World!! Welcome to my first official blog although I have been “blogging” through informative emails to friends and family over the last six years while traveling in a RV across the US and Canada. Blogging is just one more new adventure in a long line of experiences I have recently been working my way through. But as a friend told me recently, “Sometime you just have to move in the direction you are pushed.”

One of these life events has been learning to write web pages. Through the struggles of learning to write web pages over the past 8 weeks, my first web baby – shyjot.com – is ready to be presented to the world.

We are so happy you stopped by for a visit and hope you will return often to watch our website baby grow as our business grows. We want you to be a part of nurturing this child by helping us know what works and what doesn’t. Each contribution will be considered. So please help us out by answering a few questions.

How did you find us? Will you come back? Will you tell others about us? What is the best part of our site? What is the worst part?

Thank you for stopping by. Come back again soon.

Pam Young