Computer as Second Language aka CSL

We all know what ESL is. Do you know what CSL is? For those of us born before the early eighties it is Computer as a second language... you know,if you are over thiry, you know what I mean, over forty, you're smiling and over fifty... you are ROFL. That's right, I have my texting jargon down but as far as the ins and outs of every key on my keyboard and the magic screens they unfold, well I just don't get it. I'll explain how bad it is. I fell in love with the tech support young man from Time Warner named Jonathan. He claimed my heart because he was patient, kind, understanding, and oh so smart with his computer lingo. It was love within ten minutes. He did not let me give up. When I got tired and disheartened, he knew just what too do. Aren't these all the criterion for a good relationship? Oh sure, he would probably say, he was just doing his job, helping a boomer navigate through a machine, that was completely transparent for Jonathan, but to me he could speak a foreign language and wanted to teach me without any judgement. It was like a French Lesson only... well not quite that sexy, OK.

Ode to Oprah

Everyone was abuzz about Oprah's last show about a month ago. I could not ignore blogging about it. I wrote her an email, to her private email address, because she said she would answer them personally. I'm sure she is busy...but in the meantime here are my thoughts. After all the hoopla and 25 years of guests and discussions and getting the world's attention, it still and always comes down to the same thing for everyone.... Do I matter? Does anyone hear me? Am I worthy? YES, YES and YES. The fact that you are born and exist in this world is the only requirement, there are no membership dues, no meetings, no performance requirements. Just be here now, as they said in EST many decades ago. I try to get this message across to the people I see in my practice, so hearing Oprah speak about it as her final goodbye, stopped me in my  tracks and of course, brought tears to my eyes. Thanks Oprah, it is no accident that you landed on this earth at this point in history. Your recognition of us all, joined us all, even if just for a moment in time.

Possibility Gap

It occured to me today while driving down the streets of Manhattan, that our youth feel tremendous anxiety because of uncertainty about their futures. There is so much information out there that there is an assumption that you can find out anything you want and therefore get anything you want. All you have to do is want it badly enough and be able to visualize your dreams, and you can make it happen. So, I guess this means if you don't make it happen, there is something wrong with you. There is so much more that has to happen between wanting and getting. A tremendous amount of hard work and committment, focus and tenacity as well as guidance, support and education, go into a successful pursuit in any field.  This speaks to the "possiblity gap" as I like to call it. What are your thoughts on this? Let me know.