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"Net-Temps, A world of Jobs neatly
Packaged" Visual Cues Do Double Duty I've been in two serious auto accidents, both involving closed head injuries. As part of my rehab, therapists taught me to use visual cues so I wouldn't forget to do things. At first I was ashamed and embarrassed. I felt people (especially those I loved) would think I was "stupid" or somehow substandard because of my short term memory loss. I also feared my clients would lose confidence in me or no longer respect my abilities. God gently led me away from the fear and self doubt and helped me realize that these visual cues I needed were part of His plan, just like everything else in my life. I had brightly colored little round sticky dots stuck to cabinet doors, the TV remote, the bathroom mirror, etc. Blue for "turn off the faucet," red for "turn off the oven, stove or check the microwave," green for "check for voice mail," etc. There were also sticky notes with reminders and my daily planner, an organizational aid I had used for years. Using my eyes to help compensate for impaired brain function taught me some valuable lessons. I learned to watch my surroundings and other people closely, to pick up on what they were looking at. I made it a new habit to listen carefully for hidden meaning in what people said and to notice the sounds around me. My sense of smell took on new meaning... I was constantly on the alert for the scent of something burning. My doctors and Social Security declared me totally and permanently disabled, and for a time I believed them. But learning to use the visual cues gave me renewed confidence. I had not forgotten how to do things nor had my knowledge base been erased, I just couldn't seem to keep much in my short term memory banks. I was easily distracted and couldn't seem to pick up where I left off... So I lived in a world of sticky notes, colorful dots and planners. Later, I discovered that some of the world's most successful and effective people use the same strategies and cues. Others were impressed with my system and adopted parts or all of it to become more efficient in their own lives and work. Best of all, I find my visual cues can be a witness for Christ. Notes reminding me to pray for someone, pay my tithing or read a certain scripture have often opened the door for me to witness to a client or other visitor. Explaining the cues has given me the opening to testify how God used me even though I was "damaged" in such a way no one thought I could ever do anything "productive" again. God didn't heal me. He enabled me to increase my usefulness via the use of cues. He had a reason for that. Those who knew me before the accidents were sometimes intimidated by me. I had an I.Q. in the high 160's and was outspoken and often overbearing. Now, others frequently see me struggle to keep track of things. They can look at me and realize God can use anybody! Sticky Notes
from God I'm walking into a grocery store. I see a young mother trying to put a baby in a carrier on the basket. I see a toddler starting to wander off. STICKY NOTE: Don't let him get away from her and into the parking lot. I step in the way of the toddler just as the mother looks up, smiles, and reaches out for him. Do you get these things? Maybe you do and you just don't see it...yet. God is in control of my life. I write this not just for you but to help me remember. You see I'll be going along, minding my own business and then I'll see it, a sticky note from God. A little reminder. Your neighbor is going through a stressful time. STICKY NOTE: Help them out. Take food. Offer baby-sitting. Offer to cut their grass. A friend's husband is out of work. STICKY NOTE: Start asking around to see if you know anyone with a job opening. Someone you know is
coming upon the anniversary of a loved one's death.
STICKY NOTE: Give them a call, write a letter, stop by
for no reason. Recently, a friend of mine was shopping and found the book Angel Unaware. She bought it and put it in my box in church (I have a son with Down Syndrome and this book is Dale Evans Rogers' account of their experience with a Down Syndrome daughter). She forgot to put a note in saying the book was from her, so for weeks I wondered who had been so thoughtful as to buy a book for me and put it in my mailbox. I asked many people who smiled and said no, but then were struck at the kindness of the deed. Finally after a few weeks, she came up and asked if I found the book in my box. I was so surprised but then knew the person and her warm heart. We hugged and she was a little amazed at my thankfulness. To her it was not that big of a deal, she was just thinking of me. In a world full of self-absorbed people it's nice to know someone went for the sticky note. How long did it take? Not half as long as the time I spent in thankfulness for her. After that, I thought about what I could do for someone else. If you know someone who regularly helps others, do something nice for them. That lady who cooks all the church suppers, the trash guy who picks up trash that was ripped out of the bag by a something, the person who lets you in front in the checkout because you have fewer items. Sometimes one little thing can make all the difference in someone's day. One time I was at a fabric store browsing and this man was checking out and yelling at the cashier about what the store didn't have on the shelf. She had to be in her 70's, on her feet, and her white head was bowed as the man continued to yell at her. She tried to explain but he didn't care to hear. He left; she took a deep breath and tried to check out the next customer. I was always raised to respect people older than myself. The thought of this man berating her for something she had no control over got under my skin. It was a hot day and I went out and bought a can of Coke. I went back to the store and got in her line. When I arrived at the front, I am embarrassed to say I was a little choked up. "No one deserves, to be treated like that man just treated you." She said, "I'm sorry, you can't drink Coke in the store." "No, you don't understand. I bought this for you. When you go on your break take this and put your feet up." She looked back at me, really unsure, thinking I was just a little strange. (Maybe I was). Then smiled and took the can and said thank you. I walked out and felt better. Maybe I had just done something to balance back what he did so cruelly. That was my sticky note that day. One of the ones I've heeded. All those others.... O.K., O.K., I'm working on it.
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