5 important LESSONS FROM THE SOCK DRAWER
pairing makes a difference
My parents and teachers frequently reminded me to, “pull up up my socks. The following uses this phrase to frame five important people insights.
by LSI Publisher Art McNeil
1. Odd socks are never really alone:
One day it was drawn to my attention, that I was wearing one brown and one red sock. The laughter of colleagues was silenced with the retort, “ I have an identical pair at home.” No matter how different or alienated you feel; created in God’s own likeness, you are part of a perfectly matched set.
2. Socks need each other to do good work:
Single socks are ideal for people with a single foot but will leave normal people feeling unfulfilled. Individuals, like single socks, are incomplete units of society. It’s what goes on between people that makes life meaningful and interesting.
3. Dirty socks create olfactory problems:
Most of us duck dirty jobs if we think we can get away with it…even for the short haul. There are always cleaner/fresher assignments available that will keep us occupied. Unattended dirty tasks like grungy socks, will breed beasties that eventually stink up your life. Why not commit the equivalent of a weekly washday to attack undesirable jobs. Mondays worked for our mothers.
4. Don’t throw odd socks out in haste:
My socks take separate vacations. Everything in the sock drawer seems to be going well when, without warning, one of them just disappears. And they never share their secret destinations. The rejected partner comes out of the wash clean and intact but can’t get the job done alone. At one time I threw loners out but I eventually learned that wanderers frequently returned, toe hiding shamefully behind their heel. When loved ones friends or colleagues disappear emotionally, don’t assume the worst. It may be they just need a time out. Wait patiently in the equivalent of an odd sock basket and odds are that the missing person(s)will return, rested and ready to resume their responsibilities.
5. Don’t throw stretch socks in the dryer:
After close encounters of the sweaty kind socks that are high strung (stretch socks) need extra time to dry. They lose elasticity when exposed to the high heat of automatic dryers. After an emotional trauma, people shouldn’t expect or attempt a quick recovery. Given fresh air, time, and space, mother nature will dry aka heal without causing any damage.
This post sponsored by the keynote addresses and workshops of Art McNeil