CONCENTRATION DRIVES AWAY FEAR

By OLIVENE GODFREY

Several years ago, I read of a surgeon who before an operation
would be extremely nervous. Yet, once he stood at the operating table he was amazingly calm. Many of our greatest actors experience acute stage fright before a performance. But, once on stage their nervousness vanishes. Their secret seems to be the power to concentrate their whole beings on the one job they have to do. It's true that many such persons are blessed with a special aptitude. But most of them actually have acquired facility in concentration.

Concentration is essential to effective work. It also adds to the full enjoyment of pleasure. But, today there are many distractions and interruptions. Often work must be done under conditions which make it difficult to concentrate. But, in our specialized world a person's success often depends upon his power to concentrate. The power of concentration comes with practice. I'd imagine most women writers who work at home with small children get plenty of practice. (At least this one did.) But, with persistent effort you find yourself able to concentrate at will upon any activity you select.

I've known persons who have been furious because their accomplishments had been dismissed by some people with, "Oh, things just come easily for you." Maybe such remarks are intended to be complimentary. But. when a person has spent hours studying and working to achieve success he resents the implication that he's "just lucky". Talent can often be confused with achievement. But,one reason some people fall short of their promise is that developing talent is hard work. Most people think of creative persons as dreamy individuals who aren't too concerned with details. But, if they are professionals they never neglect attention to detail.

The professional in any field must make sort of a contract with himself. The terms of the contract read that he must be honest with himself. And, the real pros turn out work that truly represents the best in them.

See you next time.

MY NEW HEARING AIDS WILL BE READY FOR ME TO WEAR SOON & NEW TECHNOLOGY AWES ME

By OLIVENE GODFREY

Yesterday, son Barry and I went to the hearing center in Dalton to have molds made of my ears. When we were recently at the center, my ears were tested and the results were that I have hearing loss in both of my ears and needed hearing aids. Before the molds could be made, I had to have the hardened wax in my ears removed which was nerve-wracking to put it mildly. It only took a few minutes to make the molds of my ears. And, the hearing aids will be ready for me to wear soon.

I'm looking forward to being able to relax and just enjoy every whisper. every word, every decibel of life again. And I'm sure Barry will be relieved not to have to shout to make me hear him.

--------------------------------------

A few weeks ago, I was listening to cable channel CD- RAWHIDE
which plays traditional country music constantly with no commercials or D-DJ's talking. I heard Ray Price's "For The Good Times", written by Kris Kristofferson, being played when Barry entered the den. I told him I had that song by Price on a LP vinyl record and would like to have it on a CD.
Barry reminded me that I had it on an eight track player in my car which I played constantly while driving back in the 1980s.
Then, he told me that he could have the Ray Price CD ready to play in a few minutes. My mouth flew open and I asked, "How"?
He explained that he would order the CD from Amazon on the web and then he lost me as to the technology. But true to his word, the CD was playing in the den shortly. This new technology even children know about is amazing.When I think of all the advances in technology in my lifetime. it overwhelms me.


----------------------------------------

I'm grateful for the comments from readers of this space. Sometimes I feel as if nobody is listening to me out there. Remember, comments are welcome.

See you next time.

A NEW STUDY REVEALS MONEY CAN BUY HAPPINESS. SO WHAT ELSE IS NEW?

By OLIVENE GODFREY

A new study reveals money can buy happiness. So what else is new? This news was reported by Randolph E. Schmidt, AP Science writer,which appeared in my local paper last week. It reminded me of the philosopher who wrote that money can't buy happiness but be sure you have plenty of it before talking such nonsense. I agree with that. The study found that people's emotional well being--happiness- increases along with their income up to about $75,000. according to researchers report in last week's Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

For folks making less than that, said Angus Deaton, an economist of the Center for Health and well-being at Princeton University, "Stuff is so in your face it's hard to be happy. It interferes with your enjoyment."

The researchers reported that things got better as income rose but the effect leveled out at $75,000, Deaton said. On the other hand, their overall sense of success or well-being continued to rise as their earnings grew beyond that point. Giving people more income beyond 75K is not going to do much for their daily mood...but it is going to make them feel they have a better life, Deaton said in an interview.

It isn't surprisingly, someone who moves from a $100,000
a year job to one paying $200,000 realizes an improved sense of success. Deaton said, that doesn't necessarily mean they're happier day to day.
--------------------------------

I can't go to movie theatres now as I have trouble sitting for that long but I still enjoy seeing movies at home. Last weekend, son Barry found a movie I had been wanting to see after going to three stores in Dalton. The movie, "Crazy Heart"'s main character, Bad Blake, played by Jeff Bridges, is based on a combination of Waylon Jennings, Kris Kristofferson and Merle Haggard. Bridges earned the 2009 Academy Award for Best Actor for performance in the film. And I think he deserved the Oscar.
Stephanie Zacharek, in an excellent review of the movie, wrote that "Bridges may be acting, but he always makes it look like living."

See you next time.

HEARING TESTS RESULTS & SON BARRY SEZ MY SOUTHERN ACCENT IS SWEET & SYRUPY

By Olivene Godfrey

The day before I had a hearing test at a hearing and speech center in Dalton, I was a nervous basket case. And, by the time son Barry and I reached the center the next morning, I was a bundle of nerves. But, I was determined to pull myself together during the test.The audiologist was very nice and explained that he would conduct an audio-metric hearing test in a sound proof room. Barry stayed in the room with him and he said he knew the test was stressful for me and it was. The test showed that I have moderately severe hearing loss in both ears but no medical problem--it's an age related thing. The center carries all brands of hearing aids and the one he chose for me provides three years of free batteries and a period after I start wearing them to be certain I am satisfied with the aids.

The audiologist said that with the aids in both ears, I should have normal hearing which will be wonderful. He said hearing aids usually work well with my type of hearing loss. Barry researched the brand chosen for me and said it is a premium brand. In about two weeks, I will return to the center to have molds made of my ears. Barry says the hearing aids I will be wearing have tiny computers inside them. He quipped that with the cataract surgery I have had, I already have artificial eyes and now I will have artificial ears which will make me be a "bionic woman".

----------------------------------------

Sometimes when Barry is describing a girl or woman to me,he will say "she has a sweet, syrupy Southern accent like yours."
Other people have commented over the years that my accent is as "slow as molasses" and that I stretch spoken words into as many syllables as possible. When my late husband and I lived on the beach in Florida, sometimes people I met on the beach would ask what country I was from and when I replied that I am an American, sometimes they would ask, "Are you speaking Southern?" Years later, I met a woman a woman who was an expert on accents and she told me, "You have a combination of East Tennessee and North Georgia" accent." I was stunned and told her I lived in Chattanooga until I was 14 and had lived in North Georgia most of my life since then. Since then I have become more conscious of accents of other people I know. Barry has a southern mountain accent as he has lived in North Georgia since he was two years old.

See you next time, Y'all