TIPPING POINTS: SOME ADVICE ON DOLLARS AND DESTINY

OOPS!

  

You are never under any obligation to tip just anyone standing behind or beside an open guitar case.  Busking being a subjective art form, there is really no script from which to govern when tipping the busker.

From a busker point of view, playing guitar all day can do a number on your body, especially on the back and fingers.  I try not to hunch when I play, but thirty hours per week of finger-style frails, I do get blisters on top of my calluses.

From my busker point of view, the proper etiquette for a consumer when tipping a busker:  Make eye contact, smile, toss the money into the guitar case as you walk by, or even better, stop and chat and say “thanks for the music” or “nice” or something like.  And when taking a picture of a busker always give a tip.  Not tipping after taking a picture is definitely rude.

AS IF THIS POST WOULD EVER BE ABOUT SOME TIPPING POINTS FOR A CONSUMER WHEN DECIDING THE DOLLAR AMOUNT TO TOSS INTO A BUSKER GUITAR CASE!  YIKES!

It is time to shift this discussion to DESTINY.

Destiny refers to the events that will necessarily happen, or the hidden power that will control what will happen.  Destiny refers to the inevitable, or … the irresistible.

I have a right to control my destiny and my destiny lies within my behavior.  Life is short.  Here is the existential question:  Shall I leave my troubles behind and conquer what’s rightfully mine?  Conquer what I’ve been dreaming of doing?  Knowing that as long as it’s legal, my path is rightfully mine to determine?

Ah … my imaginary destiny!  (Any exercise in imagination is good, but thinking too far ahead is just what it is … an exercise in imagination.)

Winston Churchill stated that “It is a mistake to look too far ahead.  Only one link of the chain of destiny can be handled at a time.”

TIPPING POINTS

Tipping points are those points at which a series of small changes become significant enough to cause larger, more important changes.  Some tipping points are happen-chance; however, most can be quite predictable, within the realm of our imaginations, and therefore self-determined.  Take for examples those tipping points ones within the workplace, within relationships, and within yourself.  Here are some ways to create positive tipping points for each:  

• WORKPLACE

Say a cheery “good morning” to all your colleagues each and every morning.

Engage in idle chit chat when the opportunity arises.

Avoid office gossip.

If you want to lose your job, all of the above, combined with a poor performance work record, can make it happen.  True confession:  I try to do all of the above but … as for another aspect of me, I’m rather bumptious at the workplace lunch table.

• RELATIONSHIPS

Relationships always rely on lookism. One has to be physically attracted to a potential love mate, and lookism provides the first base opportunity

Focus on changing yourself, not changing your partner. You are responsible only for your behavior, not your partner’s.

Don’t assume you know your partner’s goals.  Just because you are planning to travel to Tahiti, does not mean your partner wants to do the same.  Get on the same dance card or waltz away!

Not heeding to all of the above means you are always at the whim of another.  Coupling is always a maxixe; however, if your partner is always taking the lead, it’s certainly time for confrontation or … like I stated … time to waltz away.

• SELF

Realize you are not the same person as you were “back in the day.”  Back in the day could refer the time you were married, or the time when you were a student, or the time when you first entered the work force.

In your wildest dreams, if being a world traveler is your imaginary alterity, then kick start new conversations with yourself (a daily memento of sorts to help deal with the regret and the guilt that will roll in).

You can’t pour from an empty cup.  If Europe be your lodestone, get over there fill yourself as often as you can afford it. 

BECOME THE PERSON YOU DREAM TO BE … 

IT IS ONLY UP TO YOU ... 

TO MAKE YOUR DREAMS COME TRUE.

Those marching in my CHAUCERIAN PARADE this week:

DEVON FLOYD AND SELF PLAYING AT THE COPPER KETTLE IN REGINA

SELF AT MY TRACEY'S DESK (LAST WEEK)

TRACEY GETS REVENGE!

ROLLER ROBIN (ON THE RIGHT)

FROM MY CLOSE FRIEND, CHRIS ...