Thought~Byte No. 9

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These are good, John! I often "byte" all through Gather, and keep discovering little jewels. Wisah I had more time, though.

What I've seen so far are in the gigabyte species. So I guess you must have a whole bunch of these.

Why not publish one of those calenders once popular, where you rip off a square bit of paper for each day, you know, with the artist, if you know him?

Thanks, Bent.

There are 115 Thought~Bytes published on gather as of today —all are at the link in the first comment above.

The total number Bytes is a well-guarded secret :) However, as the artist member of this team — Phil Frank a renowned cartoonist — passed away last fall, it is a finite number.

These are great, and I continue to look forward to each one. Ellen B

Thank you, Ellen, and I look forward to your comments.

Very nice, thanks.

This one seems to indicate that prejudice and discrimination is bad for your mind.

It's really bad for a lot of things besides one's mind. It costs lots of money for one thing.

You're welcome, Elizabeth.

"prejudice and discrimination is bad for your mind."

That is another aspect to this, Larry. Thanks.

Discounting has internal and external effects.

Thanks, Autumnrose.

great byte John

Those who discount usually choke on their own pollution.

Dan, welcome back to Cheery World.

Agreed, Judi. Well stated.

Thanks, Charlie.

Lance, a good point.

It is self-defeating.

John, I thought you were stranded in the mountains and living with a Yeti. The food must have been bad or the wine. I'm still struggling with this one. I'll get it.

Rest easy

Is it pollution or a short circuit?

Right now I'm leaning more towards self-handicapping than pollution, hmmm...

very nice

Hmmm...yes I can see that, I think it will make me laugh later when the headache is gone ;)

Bill, I am in the moiuntains and not struggling with anyone.

It is definitely that as well, Vivian.

Thanks, Andrea

Funny, Jerri.

Laughter is not required for learning and it is more fun that way.

Isn't it weird that we do quarantine people all of the time simply by ignoring or avoiding them? I admit there are people I do not go out of my way to make conversation - too wordy, too self-centered, too "let-me-tell-you-my-entire-life" type, too negative, too thoughtless but on occasion, I do interact with them just to throw them off-balance. I keep trying to give them the chance to change my first impression and some have over the years had the lightbulb experience and noticed that certain subjects like gossip or negatively toxic conversation causes me to edge away until I am free of the conversational circle. I don't really want them to change permanently for me but making slight concessions to my way of thinking or feeling lets me know they notice things about me. Sometimes we just burst through life assuming we are the comet in the sky and EVERYONE wants to see us and observe us because we are the "be all to end all" as my granfather used to say and we are not. Moderation - when you are happy, let people have joy with you; when you are sad, allow yourself to be open for those who DO know what to say and/or do; when life kicks you in the gut, don't carry your pain like a neon sign asking for pity, empathy or sympathy because the others around you might also be hurting and it is hard to hone in on others' pain if your pain is in full bloom and sometimes removing yourself from the situation makes things more bearable until you can again blend into the scene - life is a movie and unless it is a one-man/one-woman show, the camera will be moving and the story will shift and the scenery change as the information given is growing to include all involved. Maybe in life we should turn off our cell phones and whisper in case something of import happens and we need to know what to do...

AMEN!!!

I quarantine people all the time.I call it being a loner :)

I try not to discount anyone or anything.
It's way too expensive of a proposition!

Angela, my way of thinking as well.

Donna, thanks for the excellent comment.

I prefer not to spend time with people who take a lot of energy to be with and offer little in return.

Thanks, Teresa.

Stan, it is part of a first wife's job description:)

Cheyanne, as long as you are quarantining them for you as opposed to against them.

Cute one.

Interesting. Interesting conversation too.

Thanks, Alexa.

Glad you think so, Sheila.

The conversation is always the best part.

Now that's an interesting thought!

Thanks, Tanya.

I try to understand where they are coming from...

Jenn, I often do that too. It does help not take things personally.

Interesting my friend,,, thank you,,,

i am one, thanks

Thank you for using Gather Broadcast, where there is an open line of communication for all and you’re more than a connection.

Gather Broadcasting: Have it your way

This takes you in the back door. If you’ve already been, don’t click again.

Thank you, Marie.

You am one what, Blaine?

Thanks, Carl.

Maybe Sharper Image can modify their Ionic Breeze to handle mental pollution.

I try not to discount anyone John. I like getting them at the full price.

And, did you notice, I didn't discount you while you were away:

http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?memberId=300029&articleId=281474977424486

My lawyer noticed, Robert.

That's what he gets paid for. :)

Trying to stay away from that mental pollution, quarantine can cause some lonely thoughts.

great byte john!

It's the discounting you want to avoid, JoAnne.

Thanks, Scottie.

This reminds me of something someone wise told me: "Don't put limits on yourself. Other people will try to do that, but don't let it happen and don't do it to yourself."

A great maxim to live by, Jan.

Thanks.

I think I need to be quarantined. Don't taunt the monkey!

LOL Beaker. Howya doing in the cabin?

This is a pretty good one. Some people's minds really ought to be quarantined!

great pic

Amen to that, K D.

Thanks, Sharon.

Agreed, Arleen .. good thing I didn't suggest that.

Great. Now convince the neo-conserva-nazis. Please.

Unfortunately, Ann, convincing never works.

But raising the topic, as with this Byte, might get them thinking — is that isn't the first part of an oxymoron.

Hah! Good one.