In response to the Seashore News request for Men’s Club members to share their New Year’s suggestions for moving forward in a positive way, I chose these six:
Our club president, John Yocca, recommended that every day we try to perform at least one random act of kind- ness. It can be something as simple as calling a friend who’s feeling down, buying a cup of coffee for the person in line behind you, or just giving a compliment.
Roy Dohner said we should wave at each other while wearing our masks, since the smile on our faces cannot be seen. Then afterward extend both a smile and wave when masks are no longer required. That fits the special nature of our community where we enjoy a sense of order and serenity in contrast to what is sometimes going on just outside our gates. Roy reminds us to assume that everyone has good intentions, and then accept that everyone is different. Another idea? When out walking, take a bag with you to holiday spirit, and our lunch outdoors at the Farmhouse pick up some loose trash, and thank those that do it too.
Club treasurer Eric Eckes agrees, saying that during COVID, his wife and he have periodically helped elderly neighbors. He says that for Margi and himself, it is a joy helping people with limited mobility in their neighborhood. At Christmas he puts up holiday lights on one neighbor’s
house to bring them cheer. Eric also walks his dogs with two older gentlemen. One lives alone and they have nice chats on their outings.
Gary Tinnes, noting the disparate politics of recent times, calls himself a “member of the camp that believes Facts Matter.” So, he has resolved to make more effort to determine the facts regarding any situation that another person brings to his attention instead of simply responding with his own beliefs. He will then give the facts he’s been able to find in as gentle a manner as he can. And, he will do this at a later time and only if it will not create offense. He did this recently when a friend stated a fact about the SARs pandemic that was literally impossible to believe. Instead of firing back an opinion, he looked into the actual WHO, CDC and NIH web sites for a consensus of the facts. He felt better doing this and he states that his resolution is real and he is sticking to it.
Steve Morris resolves to continue expressing apprecia- tion to the NSCA staff and maintenance team for the out- standing work they do every day. He will also continue to greet Harvest Landscape workers with a smile and a wave for their dedicated service.
Thinking of Steve’s resolution, I get a real pleasure out of thanking our talented and industrious Harvest workers individually and specifically for what they do to make our community clean, inventive and attractive. They always smile and show appreciation in return. And when I take them an ice-cold Pepsi on a hot day, you’d think I had given them a new Porsche. I resolve to keep showing sincere appreciation.
Finally, I remember Don Thomas who lived across the street from Dee and me on Tampico Bay. Don regularly picked up newspapers, took in garbage cans if neighbors were not at home, and occasionally watered plants that were dry in front of homes on both sides of a half block, meaning 6 or 8 homes. When he passed away, his wife, Jean, picked up this activity. You can imagine how neighbors felt and responded to pay back the favors!
—C.W. Gruenig
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