RSVP's in Today's World

When I was younger, I really did not know what RSVP meant. Since then, I have learned a thing or two. Basically it means that a person who is inviting you to an event of some kind requests a response if you will be attending. It is a "courtesy" for the host so that they can plan adequate accommodations, food or other items for a successful meeting or event.

"RSVP" has been around for a long time. However, I see a twist to this critical "courtesy." Consider the attempts of people in planning some type of event, whether it is a business meeting, social gathering, family reunion, community event with a specified audience. When those who have been specifically invited to attend choose not to respond, the host is at loss of what to plan for. Sure, they can make estimations of how much of whatever, but the results are not enough or too much which is a waste of funds. No one has benefited, they have just caused frustration.

Move forward to today. A habit of not responding has spread across several generations. We are a society of time-structured people. We have places to go, places to see, people to talk to and things to do. However, many have lost the ability to "respond" when inquiries have been made, or invitations have been made. We have numerous channels in which to communicate:

• Phone Calling
• E-mailing
• Texting
• Facebook
• Linkedin
• Letter Writing
• Skyping
• Face-to-Face
• Memos
• and even Post-it Notes!

Have I missed any? But even after all these avenues have been exhausted to send messages or invitations - people still choose not to respond. 

This is my frustration. If there is something to be done - I get it done. My attempts to include others in a planning process, so that a consensus decision can be made is most often ignored or deemed not important to "respond" to. For those who have accepted an assignment and repeatedly fail to respond has left me, as well as others having to fill the void and continue to make things happen. It is especially disheartening when criticism comes after a decision has been made to move forward with an action or activity. 

Many individuals have a hard time doing simple things - such as hitting the "REPLY" button. A simple response of:

• Yes
• No
• Can we table this decision/action for a [amount of time]?
• Sounds great - but how about this . . . ?
• Would love to discuss this with you. Can we talk later?
• This is stupid!
• or some other creative, informative response!

Is there a solution other than a reply? If this continues to happen with others not responding than there will be a decrease in the  expectations of people and planned, meaningful occasions. 

Guess I will just have to be OK with this and learn to resist the "reply" button and be OK with lackluster meetings and events. If you want me to respond, you will just have to search me out. I will only communicate face-to-face. 

Born With the Seeds of Life and Death

Today I attended a funeral for the son of our cousin. He was 28 yrs. old, and was born with a "bent" chromosome. According to the doctors - he was one of a kind. The grandfather gave the closing remarks and commented that we are each born with the seeds of living and dying, and when those seeds mature, the blessings are manifest. For those who understand and embrace eternal progression, his passing was a blessing. He no longer will ask "Why am I different? Why did God make me this way?" He is at rest with the One who created him. And for those that remain - we must continue to nurture and reflect on the seed within - of living. 

It's All in the Can

For the last few days I have been picking through a HEAP of Ball, Kerr and Kraft jars, filled with "mystery" ingredients. The purpose is to increase my stash of canning jars for some summertime fun.

What - you don't think this will be fun? My husband, HB (honey buns), thinks I should can everything we can to fill our pantry. Not! We found a free source for apricots last year. HB thinks I should can apricots. I hate canned apricots - and so does he. HB thinks we can trade them for canned fruit we like. Not even going there. I will just make jam - which we both like and I can give it away, because I want to.

However, I do have some items I would like to can this year - because I now have some canning jars. Here is my list:

• Bread and Butter Pickles 
• Hot Sauce
• Tomatoes
• Chunky Apple Butter
• Cherries
• Peaches
• and Jam

And when I am all through (this is the best part), I will have a pantry lined with beautiful jars just like this!

Story @ Home 2012

The last two days I have been attending a conference about "story-telling." The conference ticket was a gift to me from my family. They found out about it and said, "Mom, you need to go! You are the story-teller in our family and hopefully this will be something you will enjoy."


Well, it has been enjoyable. Yesterday there were some speakers - some motivational, others just good story-tellers. Today they had a workshop with a variety of classes to choose from. I chose to learn more about the blogging world - only to discover that there have been several "blogging" conferences held in Utah already. Hey - I was in school full time and wouldn't have had time for this anyway!


Of all the classes, the most empowering one was about taking your fear and turning it into reality. I admit that I have this fear (lack of faith?) in myself. This week I am going to do some rethinking about what it is I want to do, create that "vision board," and learn to move forward towards that goal of redefining the possibilities.