That guy looks pretty frazzled, doesn't he? Well, that was pretty much me yesterday. Y'see, my laptop computer bit the dust. I knew it was coming. It had been repeatedly shutting itself down and giving me the dreaded blue screen, so I'd had the foresight to order a new computer. The problem is I ordered a Mac computer. Now, I'm not saying anything negative about Macs! Mac users love their computers, and I'm sure eventually I will too, but yesterday I was too frustrated to love it.I'd saved all of my documents to a zip drive, a CD, and also emailed them to two different accounts before my sweet purple computer went kaplooey. So I thought I'd be fine. I'd just pop the zip drive or the CD into my new computer, transfer them over, and get back to work. Um, things weren't quite that simple. I opened the computer at 8 in the morning. By 1:00 PM I had yet to get one document to open--I encountered the same error message with each attempt. And I was ready to pull out my hair.
Thankfully, a few friends with Macs came to my rescue. Some offered advice. Others had me send important documents to their email boxes where they managed to open them and return them to me in a format I could actually access. (PTL!) Another kind soul called me and talked me through the editing progam in my new word processing program. By the end of the day, I was feeling much more confident about my ability to actually use my Mac computer.
What would we do without knowledgeable people who are willing to share their knowledge with others? It would be easy for those in the know to hold their wisdom close, enjoying the opportunity to look down their noses in superiority. But I don't know anybody like that. Instead, I'm surrounded by tender hearts who reach out with a helping hand just when it's needed.
Leo Buscaglia said, "Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around." Perhaps the people who came to my rescue with my computer issues didn't turn my life around, but they sure turned my attitude around. And am I ever grateful.
Has somebody blessed you with a kind act recently? If so, take the time to say thanks...and then pay it forward. As Mr. Buscaglio says, a kind act might just turn somebody's life around. :o)
God bless you muchly as your journey with Him! ~Kim
So sorry about your computer troubles, Kim, but am so glad some kind folks came to your rescue!! ~ A few months ago when I was basically "housebound" following my spinal surgeries, I had wonderful friends who not only brought me meals, flowers, etc., but would pick me up in their cars (assisting me with my walker, etc.) and drive me to restaurants and a brief errand (knowing that I needed a "change of scenery"LOL). These particular friends are all busy folks, but they took the time to help me (and with each friend, it was their suggestion to do that rather than my asking them!). I was very touched by these people going out of their way for me---especially knowing I am also blessed with a wonderful family who was also doing a LOT for me. ~ I try to be "on the lookout" for opportunities to do little things for people when I'm out running errands, because we never know when that small good deed can give that person a much-needed lift. ~ Great post--thanks for sharing, and I hope your new computer "behaves nicely" *grin*. Happy New Year Hugs, Patti Jo :)
ReplyDeleteKim, believe me! I have had my fair share of computers acting up(especially when we were away travelling) losing emails unfinished and no trace of them anywhere. I also lost my nursing presentation among other things, when my backup system failed! I was in an absolute frenzy, and ready to throw the stupid computer away, besides costing me countless numbers of Euros, when using the Hotel computers! I certainly understand your frustrations, and particularly as a writer,the very idea must have been more than you could stand. Imagine losing all your work!! How fantastic that your friends came to your rescue!
ReplyDeleteI have some fabulous friends and when "the going gets tough," we are automatically there for each other.
It is New Year's Eve here, so in the name of friendship, I wish you a Happy New Year from Aussieland. Have a good one Kim!
Cheers,
Rosie.
Patti Jo, I'm delighted so many people came to your aid when you needed some helping hands. Gives my heart a lift!
ReplyDeleteAnd Rosie, happy new year to you, too! God's richest blessings to you and yours. :o)