Spots
Fact: People would rather die than public speak. Or, as Comedian Jerry Seinfeld would say, ‘That means you’d rather be in the box than give the eulogy.’
on life’s terms
Three ‘F-Words’ BY JOELLEN COLLINS
A
s a young woman, I never—ever—said the “F” word. My circle thought that usage connoted a tough, unladylike and ignorant person whose vocabulary was limited. I respected the concept and hated the word until, as a filmgoer and reader, I became inured to its impact. I hardly notice it now. However, there are still three “F” words that haunt me even in maturity. I am still limited by fear, frustration and failure. I am fearful of the random events of a hostile world, especially for my grandchildren who will grow up in this maelstrom of violence. I was shocked when at Thanksgiving one of the older boys said that in some countries parents cut out the tongues of boys who misbehave. My grandson fled the table in tears. I can only conquer that blinding clutch at my heart by—along with their family, friends and schools—giving him the love and sense of safety all children deserve. I have no control over the sadness of the world except for trying to be the person my mother exhorted me to be, one who “leaves the world a little better for your having been in it.” Frustration is a natural reaction to my own tendency to be timid about taking assertive ways to implement plans and projects. Right now I am pursuing a promising activity and need to wade through the instruction, learning and training involved. Because of some of my anticipation regarding rapidly changing technology, I have procrastinated in tackling some complexities. It helps to realize that, in the context of challenges we all face, this is doable. When I finish writing this column, I will immediately turn my attention to this
project. Even though modern thinkers have taught that failure doesn’t need to impede future success, my 5-year-old grandson hates to fail: It’s not O.K. He hasn’t yet absorbed the current idea that experiencing failure is a way to learn and thus improve. Watching his first soccer match in kindergarten, I was pleased that coaches emphasized good sportsmanship and the joy of the game rather that the need to be the best at it. This is the beginning of a long series of tests wherein experiencing failure is as much a part of life as is growing and being strong for its challenges. Still, my heart aches for my little guy’s future disappointments. Somerset Maugham in “Of Human Bondage” espouses that maturity is a process of disillusionment, a series of experiences where one learns to accept reality. We are limited by our physiognomy, heredity and circumstances in ways we cannot always control, an often bitter growing up. I’ll never be a super athlete; a fairytale world is not possible. Nonetheless, I can still embrace my cockeyed optimist self with occasional reality checks. tws
'Public Speaking 101’ with Dayle Ohlau. Dayle’s class will focus on all aspects of communications: intrapersonal, interpersonal, business, group, and public. Dayle has been teaching communication classes for the past 9 years at the College of Southern Idaho, and she was the former News Director at the local commercial radio stations in the Wood River Valley.
Thursdays · 6-8 PM January 22nd-March 5th at the Coffee Grinder · 4th Street & Leadville, Ketchum $165.00 · Materials provided. Call 208-309-1219 to register, or email: dayle.cafe@icloud.com The class is limited to 20.
the bright side
Here Comes The Sun And, Our 101
W JoEllen Collins—a longtime resident of the Wood River Valley—is a teacher, writer, fabric artist, choir member and unabashedly proud grandma known as “Bibi Jo.”
sudoku answer FROM page 17
Dayle's Community Cafe Presents
BY BRENNAN REGO
excited for you to flip through it and discover all the great fun this winter season will bring to the Wood River Valley. As we head into our resort economy’s winter harvest season, remember to shop locally. Also, the Gang and I want express a heartfelt happy holidays and a big “go get ’em” to everyone who’ll be slammin’ and jammin’ at work over the next few weeks. We’ll be right there with you. Don’t forget to take a moment to sit back, relax and reflect (perhaps with a cup of coffee in one hand while you flip through The Weekly Sun with the other!) on how remarkable our Valley truly is and on the limitless number of totally rad things there are to do around here come winter.
e sure hope you’ve been enjoying our recent issues; I certainly have been. Let me be clear: this isn’t a horn toot; this is a nod to everyone on The Weekly Sun team, from our reporters who make the first telephone call to gather information for our next issue to our delivery driver who— rain or snow—gets the Sun out every week for your perusing pleasure. My goal when I signed up to edit The Weekly Sun was to become its number one fan. In the past few weeks, the Sun Gang (as we’ve self-dubbed the four of us on the production staff), and our rock star, super group of local writers, have accomplished that objective. Thanks for reading. Last week, I sat down And, stay tuned for with my coffee, read our upcoming holiday our little newspaper issue, featuring “The from cover to cover and Big Give”—a special thoroughly enjoyed the section dedicated the issue. numerous Sadly (at least for me, Check out The Weekly Sun’s winter 2014-15 “101 Amazing Valley’s hardworking if not for y’all!), I have Things To Do” magazine, now on shelves throughout the and nonprofit organizanot had much time to Wood River Valley. tions. write “The Bright Side” over the past few weeks “The Bright Side” is The Weekly Sun’s posas we’ve all been “slammin’ and jammin’ itive voice by Editor Brennan Rego. Send ”—as we say—on our winter 2014-2015 istopic ideas that celebrate life in the Wood sue of the Sun’s “101 Amazing Things To River Valley area to brennan@theweekDo” magazine. The Bright Side is, the mag lysun.com. is now out on the shelves, and we’re quite
T h e W e e k ly S u n •
december 17, 2014
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