Blog post #8 last but not least

People underestimate the power of influence of those in an authoritative position.   Most people do not realize that they too can be persuaded to do things that they would normally not do under the right circumstances.  We would all like to think we would do the right thing but these studies show us otherwise.    We are doomed to repeat history if we do not remember the past.  We need to teach our children to be free thinkers and not to blindly obey those in authority over us.  They should respect but question and learn to trust their gut instinct of what is right and wrong.  I recall seeing a bumper sticker as a young girl and it has stuck with me all these years, it simply read, “Question authority.”  Up until that point in time it had never occurred to me that that was even an option. I was taught as a child to obey those over me.  It was a light bulb moment for me.  There are many lessons to be learned and remember from these studies but one of the most important I think is to never degrade or demoralize yourself by following the instructions of someone else.  Always make sure that the decisions you make are decisions you can live with for the rest of your life.

                                                                                                                                                

Blog post #7

I have flown a total of three times in my life.  I hate it.  I hate everything about it.  Each time reaffirms even more why I hate.  I think I am going to die every time I fly.  My first experience flying was a work related trip to Florida.  My phobia at this time was not near as strong as it is now.  I think it is stronger due to the fact I know what to expect and back then I did not.  We recently took a trip to Disney World.  I had the bright idea to fly out of Weyers Cave airport so we would get free parking (inside joke) and be just fifteen minutes away from home.  I knew it was going to be a smaller plane and I was ok with that.  I had ridden a similar one on my first trip.  I should have known what to expect by the writing on the side of the plane.  “Begin with the end in mind” was scrawled beautifully across the front side of the plane so as you entered you could not miss it.  Not the sort of thing you want to read on the side of your plane, it might be ok if you are reading the Stephen Covey book on the plane.  But, not on the plane that is carrying my body.  It was a horrible ride with what my husband called “mild turbulence.”  I told him if that was mild I don’t want to ever feel major turbulence.  I thought for sure I was going to have a panic attack.  The stewardess kept coming back to check on me, I must have been as white as a sheet.  I know my knuckles were white as I was digging into the chair arms and holding on for dear life.  The book says generalized anxiety disorders mellow around age 50, I don’t see that happening.