Long Odds

Direct Answers - Column for the week of March 31, 2003

I don't drive and have health problems. I have a friend who runs an under-the-table errand service. She is one of my closest friends so I rely on her. I always give her sufficient money for her time, and she has helped me out in many situations.

There have been two times in a row where she has blown me off. Both times she was to take me to a doctor appointment. The first time she did not call me in advance as she always did, so I called her. She said, "I can't talk, I'm running out the door." She hung up before I got to say a word. She called me back at midnight and said she was really sorry, she forgot.

I thought she probably did and went on with my business, though she ruined my plans and I ended up in a jam because of it. Last week I had a very important doctor's appointment. I called her well in advance, and she confirmed it twice during the week. But the time came when she was supposed to call and pick me up, and she never called.

So I called her. There was no answer. Today she basically blamed the whole thing on me, saying, "I was home sitting around waiting for your call. I don't understand why you didn't get through."

The long and the short of it is I don't know if I am being naïve, or is this just two strange coincidences. I don't want to accuse her of anything, but assessing the situation, I wonder if she doesn't want to do it and won't tell me directly. That would not offend me. I would make other arrangements. What do you think?

Zeta

Zeta, some years ago two basketball teams from the state of Ohio were contending for the national championship. The fans from Ohio State thought their team was better than the University of Cincinnati, and they were shocked when the other school won the national basketball title.

For a year the Ohio State fans claimed it was a fluke that Cincinnati won. But guess what? The next year the University of Cincinnati won again. That inspired some Cincinnati fans to rent a billboard near the Ohio State campus. The message on the billboard read, "Well, what do you know? Two flukes in a row!"

Why would you expect up-front behavior from someone working under the table? It's time to make other arrangements. Two flukes in a row are a message.

Wayne

Conviction

If a woman has not found her soul mate by age 30, she might as well give up! It is all very nice to talk about "not giving up early" as you do, when you are in a strong, loving, and respectful marriage.

Men have it easier. Men's idea of marriage is to have someone to abuse. They find a sweet, nice, gentle girl like I once was and expect her to just take it. Women are supposed to be so grateful some man, any man, would have them.

God does not in reality care about those of us who are heartsick.

Yvette

Yvette, for most people the good things in life don't happen until later. Our local newspaper publishes the age of people applying for marriage licenses. In today's paper, more than 60 percent of both the men and the women are over 30.

Tennyson wrote, "How dull it is to pause, to make an end, to rust unburnished, not to shine in use!" The aim of life, he said, is "to strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield."

Most of our problems come from the six inches between our ears. Once you believe something is true, it is true. For you. Paradoxically, we cannot change until we believe we can, and once we've changed, we won't need belief. We know it is true.

Tamara

About The Author

Authors and columnists Wayne and Tamara Mitchell can be reached at www.WayneAndTamara.com.

Send letters to: Direct Answers, PO Box 964, Springfield, MO 65801 or email: DirectAnswers@WayneAndTamara.com.

---

Conscious Living

Earlier this year, following an intention to live more consciously,... Read More

Anamcara - The Blessing of Peace

"Come out of the circle of time and into... Read More

Nuthin but Blue Skies

"Welcome to Canada," Ken shouted to me over the roar... Read More

Escape into Reality and Find Love

The early months of this year brought major challenges, as... Read More

Brilliant Autumn: Reaping a Bounteous Harvest

"But if in your thought you must measure time into... Read More

Turning 40

Most of us, at one point or another, take a... Read More

Moneys Sad Lack of Intrinsic Value

A good number of my columns deal with finances and... Read More

The Art of Giving

In the pursuit of the life we dream of, this... Read More

The Fighting Father

This man is an Anglican priest but with a difference.... Read More

Everyone Has Been Hurt...Part 1

I want to share some things with you that I... Read More

Wow a Butterfly!

Okay, I am sure that you clicked on this title... Read More

Virtual Chocolate

A second on your lips forever on your hips never... Read More

Arranging Stepping-Stones

The greatest achievements were obtained by those who took one... Read More

Cool Children

It's funny how an acquaintance from the past just pops... Read More

A Word Fitly Spoken ~ Believe

A Word Fitly SpokenA word fitly spoken is like apples... Read More

Why Self Esteem Matters

A number of years ago I worked for one of... Read More

The Seasons Of Life, Part 4 of 5

This week is Part Four of our five part series... Read More

20 Ways To Improve Your Life

People often ask me how they can improve their lives.I... Read More

A Resurrection Story

My mother often wound up in the hospital during the... Read More

Change Your Landscape by Seeing with New Eyes

A Story (Source Unknown) ? One day a very wealthy... Read More

Parental Consent

Direct Answers - Column for the week of August 11,... Read More

A Journey of a Thousand Miles

There is a Chinese proverb that says, "A journey of... Read More

Surefire Ways to Develop a Thankful Attitude

Spend some time thinking about how good you have it.... Read More

World Kindness Day

Once upon a time, in ancient India, a beggar favored... Read More

Why Should We Keep Our Thoughts Clear?

From my experience some healings come instantly or during short... Read More

How Healing The Past Empowers Your Future

Everyday I meet people who have a chronic upset that... Read More

What If?

What If? What if I can't? What If I... Read More

Journals You Can Keep

Besides your daily feelings, thoughts, and experiences journal, there are... Read More

Surrender, Complete Healing, and the Garden of Eden

In 1982, I found myself in Eden. What I found... Read More

Dolphin Figurines evoke images of wild dolphins: How Do Dolphins Communicate?

Researchers are seeking to identify how dolphins communicate. Unfortunately it... Read More

Attitude Adjustment

"If you are pained by external things, it is not... Read More

Energy Work Basics Part 2: What Lifts Your Spirit?

Remember, everything is made of energy. Each of us has... Read More

Adversity, What Is It Good For?

As I sat down to write this article, I was... Read More