Macros

When I turn on my computer, it seems to take “endless minutes” before it displays an opening screen. Once it starts to open, I am helpless no matter how many keys I tap or how often I tap them. I just get that whirling circle (or the hourglass). It frustrates me so much that I leave the computer turned on all the time. I have what is considered to be state of the art equipment with the maximum amount of possible memory. Buying better equipment isn’t the solution and I don’t think patience is for sale. (Except perhaps on some of those internet fantasy sites.) I remember vaguely how much blinding speed this computer had when it was “right out of the box.” What changed?
You see my computer’s operating system is programmed to do anything it is told to do when it starts. There are some simple computer commands called Macros that are like a “to do” list of things that need to be done before starting. In fact, if you open your computer “Startup File” under your program files, you’ll see a few of them. I guess you could almost call them “computer habits” because they are learned procedures. It’s similar to me having to take a shower, brush my teeth, and dress, etc. before I start my day. Over time, I have decided that I would like all kinds of “bells and whistles” to show up when I start my computer and a lot more to be instantly accessible. Let’s see: I have Sudoku and Daily Crosswords for my wife, pictures of my grandsons, USA Today, Fox News, the correct time in Kolkata if I decide to call Kolkata, and naturally I need the weather in Schnecksville and, oh yes, Norton Antivirus and a slew of other programs. All of these things are items my computer labors to find and load before it can “start.” I guess in these circumstances all those things could be called “baggage” even though they’re “good baggage”.
A friend of mine repeats the phrase “you can’t expect different results if you keep doing the same things” and it is true. I am embarrassed to realize how much my life is programmed by most of all, you guessed it, me. Many of the things are good programming like the things I mentioned earlier that I largely learned from helpful folks like my mother and later a military drill Instructor. Through experience, I have learned many other things that I am sure have to be done a certain way or at a certain time. I thought I’d simplified my life but I’m starting to think I have inadvertently added a whole bunch of self imposed “macros” that limit some things I desire or at least slowed them down.
A simple example: I would like to have more relationships in my neighborhood especially with those who have views different than mine. I am a “morning person” and I like to do my walking very early in the cool of the day when it is quiet. I seldom see or meet anyone day after day. Recently my schedule got messed up and I grudgingly had to walk at 11:30 AM. Guess what? I met three new families including the cutest little three-year-old girl and her father who is temporarily laid off and now a “house father.” She almost brought tears to my eyes when she picked and gave me three dandelion flowers—“One for me, one for my mommy, and one for my little girl.” We’re scheduled to have lunch soon.
I am starting to realize through these small things that if I want different results in starting relationships, it increases the probabilities if I loosen up my “pre-programming” and be open to march to other people’s drumbeats and schedules. It’s time to examine all my “startup macros;” not only on my computer, but in my life and relationships.