Life and Computers

I am definitely not very “techie” but my older son has done everything from building computers, to developing websites to teaching classes about how to protect children from internet predators. Over the years he has taught me five things that can be applied to life:

1. No matter what you do, you cannot wreck the system. Even if you get into the wrong place, you can back out and get where you need to be again. Life is the same. We all make mistakes and sometimes think that we are never going to find the right path but, with a little faith and guidance, things can be resolved.

2. If you read the instructions on the screen you can navigate from one place to another. Letting your emotions control the situation when you are facing a computer or a stressful life situation with not help! Slow down. Take a breath and examine what is in front of you. Chances are that the answers are right in front of your eyes.

3. When the little blue circle is spinning you need to wait. Hitting the ENTER key repeatedly will not speed the system up. In fact, Rob has explained to me that computers are often doing updates in the background that we cannot see and this takes time. Life is the same. We cannot expect everything to occur in our when we want it. Sometimes events are happening in the background that we know nothing about. Someone promises to call us but then has an accident. A committee postpones their scheduled meeting so things are put on hold. A shipment is delayed by weather. Don’t take it personally. Things happen!

4. There is always someone who can help. When it comes to computers all you really need these days is a nine year old! Children are not afraid of computers because they have grown up with them. Also, their curiosity has led to expertise and they can usually help you to figure out pretty well any application or project. Life’s problems, on the other hand, usually require the kind of expertise and advise that is gained through experience and/or training.

5. Change is inevitable. You barely get a computer set up or new software installed before there is an upgrade available. Once a computer is a couple of years old, you are out of date. Life is the same. No matter how much you want to hold onto the world as you knew it, there are always changes occurring. Some are positive and some are negative. As a result, there isn’t any point in resenting change or resisting everything that comes along. Think about your options and wisely choose what you need in order to adapt and how you will do that.

Do not be afraid of computers – or of life. If you remember these five lessons that have been taught to me by my son, the computer expert, life will be so much easier!