Monday, November 11, 2013

Life's Lessons apply in many places

Visit Two Writing Teachers for the Tuesday Slice of Life!
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The most precious gift we can offer anyone is our attention." ~ Thick Nhat Hanh



       See this cute little rabbit, like so many rabbits everywhere, in my garden, in a nearby park, in my car!!  He is cute, isn't he, yet now I must call him, Ravenous Rabbit!  He, at least others like him, has cost me close to two thousand dollars so far.  You see, I have a Honda, and the Honda company in these last years have made changes to 'go green'.  The covering that coats the wires in certain parts/bundles are now soy based, and bunnies, cute little bunnies, like to eat that coating, snapping the wires in two.  Where some of the wires reside there actually is a flat place that is an excellent platform for the bunnies to snuggle down and chomp away!   Last Thursday I had a third repair, I added moth ball bundles, sprayed "critter ridder", and left my car for the night.  Friday morning the wires had been eaten again!  



       I've researched, my dealer has been somewhat helpful, yet they seem busy and just do the repairs, in and out quickly as can be.  They don't want to listen to my frustration, just fix it, be polite, see you next time.  My car is old, but has few miles, should last and last.  I do all the repairs that are required, etc.  I AM FRUSTRATED!  I don't mind solving a problem, but I do like resolution.  
       A couple of times I have taken my car to an independently owned and operated garage, but rarely because I've always had good service at the dealer.  Today, after thinking a bit more, I called this garage.  This kind and thoughtful man talked with me for almost 20 minutes!  He went through everything with me, asking questions, listening carefully, following up with more questions.  He made some of the suggestions I already knew, guessed that there would be a way to wrap the wires with some kind of screening bundle, and so on.  He listened, added some creative ideas, I made an appointment to leave the car later this week.  I am hopeful!
        These sordid details may ruin your idea of cute bunnies on the green munching away, and whether or not I solve all my car problems is unsure.  My learning today is the attention given me by this employee who showed he was interested both in helping me and solving this unusual problem.  I felt heard and supported.  If we'd been talking in person, I would have given him a hug!  
        Although you just sat down with a good book and a friend or relative calls, listen; when a colleague drops in with a call for help, listen; and when you receive a phone call from a person who doesn't call so often, listen. When you talk with students about their weekends, listen; when you sit with them to discuss some kind of learning, listen; and finally, when they tell you they have a problem, listen.   It means a lot!

photo credit: Maggie Osterberg via photopin cc

26 comments:

  1. Listening is such a gift. Sometimes that's all you need. Thanks for the reminder.

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  2. We live in a world moving at full speed. Stopping to listen is so important and so needed and something I need to do. Thank you! Best of luck with the car repairs!!

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  3. Thank you for the reminder to listen to those around you, particularly when they have a problem. Sometimes, we have our "own" solution and may not "hear" what the whole situation is' rather, we plug the problem into our solution. I suspect teachers do this often with our students!

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  4. PS I forgot to add that I will never look at a cute little bunny quite the same!

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  5. Thank you for the reminder that we need to take the time to pay attention and help each other out! What an unusual problem! I love the phrase "Ravenous Rabbit" - reminds me of Mac Barnett and Jon Scieszka's new book BATTLE BUNNY. ;-)

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  6. As always you know how to take a situation or a problem, work through it from a caring and thoughtful perspective, and teach us a lesson. Thank you.

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  7. Your blog post is exactly what's been on my mind...not the cute bunnies, but the importance of tuning in to what is important. I hope this garage can solve your problems. Good luck!

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  8. Animals can be so destructive! I asked my husband if he knew of anything that might help, but this was a new situation to him. I hope you get some resolution, but how nice that someone took the time to truly listen to you. A good reminder for us all, especially when the activity pace seems to increase for the holidays.

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  9. I have heard of mice damaging cars, but bunnies.... I would imagine that you are not the only one with the bunny problem approaching the dealer, so maybe they are thinking of some solutions. Or not. Glad that you contacted the other person from the garage. I hope there is a solution for you.

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  10. Linda - I was so engrossed in the bunny problem that you wrote about so wonderfully, that I wasn't expected to take away the much-needed lesson from your post. I'm going to remember your story and your words often. I am the queen of multi-tasking, and I need to slow down and listen.
    Please keep us updated on how this problem gets resolved, too! I've never heard of such a thing as bunnies eating cars!

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  11. It's hard to wrap my head around the amount of damage the bunnies have caused you! I'm so sorry you had to go through all of this, but what a great lesson you have to share because of it. Soy wires? Who knew? Maybe going green wasn't such a good idea in this case!

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  12. It is an unusual problem. I'm glad it's getting the proper attention.

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  13. Wow...I have not heard of such a thing. I know that some of my friends put used kitty litter under their cars (parked outside) to keep away pack rats...and that has worked. Just a thought. But your message is most important. Listening is so important...wouldn't it be nice if all the world leaders would sit down and listen to each other...or for that matter...all of us. Thanks for your important message.

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  14. Thanks everyone. I've been gone all day, so won't answer individually, but I appreciate your 'listening'! And Jackie, I'll keep the kitty litter in mind. My neighbor and I have designated parking spaces and have both been 'hit' so perhaps kitty litter will help too? Hurrah, another idea!

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  15. So true...listen!! Now, it those bunnies could just be persuaded to do to same when you say: SCAT!

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  16. How frustrating! You are so lucky to feel comfortable with the mechanic. Sometimes listening and being listened to are so hard. Thank you for turning such a frustrating situation into a lesson for all!

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  17. I am nervous now as I have a Honda as well. I am lucky, though, as I have a mechanic who listens.

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  18. What an important lesson wrapped up in your post. Good luck with the bunny issue.

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  19. Listening is probably the most powerful thing we can do for one another. So simple.

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  20. Something tells me that those Honda engineers never envisioned this repercussion of their "green" wiring system! WOW! Who knew? That is one expensive but cute bunny. You are so right about listening...being heard. It is too rare! So glad this mechanic listened!

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  21. Listen, I love how you come to that at the end of this piece and how you organized the event to showcase the listening. I hope this mechanic has a fix that works!

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  22. Do you know what? This was an awesome piece and a great reminder. I used to be very proud of my listening abilities. I knew I was a very patient person, and I really did care. But I have felt myself get caught up in stress and life and other things. I'm very glad I read your post today- what a great lesson to remember! Thank you! (And I hope your car gets fixed!)

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  23. Oh my...who knew. Listening is critical. I like how you started with bunnies and ended with listening.

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  24. Holy Cow! I have never heard of anything like this! But how great that you have found someone that might be able to help you resolve the problem.
    P.S. I read your comment on Jone's post. There is a Curves at 29th, just east of Quebec in that little shopping area. I don't think that would be too far from you.

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  25. Crazy cute bunnies. I chuckle, but I know your problem isn't trivial. And it is costly. I appreciate when someone listens. It means they care; they take that time to hear you. Good luck with the garage. I always take my car to a local garage rather than the dealer. They are cheaper by far and certainly care more about me, their customer.

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  26. Thanks everyone. I'll certainly keep you informed about the 'bunny saga'!

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