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Welcome to Stuff I Learned Yesterday. My name is Darrell Darnell, I think Gillette has one of the most brilliant marketing campaigns of all time, and I believe that if you aren’t learning, you aren’t living.
Today is the Monday Mailbag! In today’s episode I share contributions from Geoff, Barb, Colby, Bradley, and Andrew.
Did you know that mail delivery has been around since the 1500s? In 1505, Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I established a postal system in the Empire, appointing Franz von Taxis to run it. This system, originally the Kaiserliche Reichspost, is often considered the first modern postal service in the world, which initiated a revolution in communication in Europe.
Did you know that Stuff I Learned Yesterday has a Facebook group? Join our SILY Facebook group and let’s get to know one-another!
Here’s Geoff’s contribution:
My Name is Geoff, xforce11, and I recently learned, thanks to nasal and sinus surgery, that I don’t have a sinus cavity above my right eye. And I believe if you aren’t learning, you aren’t living. So thankfully, I’m not going to talk about sinuses in this feedback, but I want to talk about communication.
I’ve had a rough year with the school that I work with because of communication. You see, we all communicate differently and in the corporate world, in our family life and in life in general, we have to learn to communicate with each other in different ways. We have to learn each other’s communication styles. I’m the type of person that needs clear directions and things laid out early, so that I can walk those things out and not worry about being rushed or trying to get things done last minute.
However, I work with someone who is the exact opposite. I have to constantly remind them of deadlines and when things are due. And even then things come to me late and I think it makes the organization look bad because of it. And when that person asks something of me, they’re asking me to do it last minute and putting me in a bind. So I’ve learned that I need to communicate my needs to this person and ask them how that I can communicate better with them so that deadlines aren’t missed.
I’ve also learned that communication also equals safety. We’ve had some challenging times at my school and people didn’t feel like they were getting heard, and because of this, they reached out and reached above different levels and different things so that they could feel like they’re being heard because they felt like their real, legitimate needs were not being heard and they felt unsafe.
So the bottom line is communication is important for our safety, for our mental well-being, and so much more. So remember, not everybody communicates the same way you do, but we can all learn to communicate with each other and take steps to learn so that everyone feels heard and feels safe. This is Geoff, xforce11 and this has been Stuff I Learned Yesterday, Mailbag Monday.
Here’s Barb’s contribution:
Legacy — that’s how you began the first episode of this new season. As I’ve transitioned from taking care of my mother and then then handling her estate, to retirement and leaving the formal workplace, and moving across the country to begin what will ultimately be the final phase of my life (but hopefully also not ending too soon), I’ve been thinking a lot about the legacy my family left for me, and what will I leave for others.
I had recently had the legacy conversation with one of my friends. She told me that she had spent Easter with her Grandmother and how much that meant to both of them. She talked about how much she had learned from her Grandmother, and the things she used to do with her – the faith she got from her, the desire to serve others (they used to visit and take communion to the elderly, those in memory care, and the homebound). Then she told me that her mother used to do the same thing with her mother’s mother – my friend’s great grandmother.
This desire to care for and serve others in very specific ways was likely passed down through several generations – through examples set by those family members – parents and grandparents teaching the younger generation values – faith, family, service. it was their legacy.
Before we parted, I encouraged my friend to tell her grandmother how much that time meant to her, and that her grandmother had passed this on as a legacy to her and her children. She and I could only imagine how much that would mean to this older woman who is in the twilight of her years. Knowing that she made a difference in life to others.
So, Darrell – keep giving us things to think about and to ponder – it’s never too early – or too late – to leave a legacy.
This is Barb signing out – have a great monday!
Here’s Andrew’s contribution:
It’s Andrew here from Northern Ireland and Darrell, I just want to let you know I nearly can’t put into words just how happy I am that you have brought Stuff I Learned Yesterday back for another two years. Another two years! You didn’t just bring it back for like a few episodes. You have no idea how excited I am about this. I’ve said this before, Stuff I Learned Yesterday is my favourite ever podcast. And I’m not just saying that.
I listen to a few podcasts, and there’s something about Stuff I Learned Yesterday that I really, really resonate with. I love hearing your stories and what you take out of those stories. Your storytelling is on a different level. I love the way you craft these episodes, and it’s not just the storytelling. I love the wisdom that comes out of these stories. There’s something so, so special about Stuff I Learned Yesterday, and I just want you to know how much I get out of it.
I think everyone listening gets something out of SILY and particularly this season so far, episode five, Making Magical Moments, that just had me as a dad of three young kids that just had me. And I’ve listened to that episode I think four times, though, and maybe even after this I’ll go for a fifth. But there was something about that episode that just hit me like you wouldn’t believe. And that’s just wisdom from a father. Someone who, if you don’t mind me saying is a few years older than myself, that just really hits home.
And how else has SILY impacted me? Do you know Darrell, from Oklahoma City to Belfast City, the capital of Northern Ireland, it’s 4324 miles. I have learned that someone from 4324 miles can have a big impact in someone’s life. You see, I’m a youth club leader and every so often I need to give a short epilogue. And for many years now, Darrell, my epilogue consists of a short story, something that has happened in my life, something that I learned yesterday, if you will. And then I bring a gospel message out of it in the front of the church.
Sometimes I have to go and do a kids talk, and it’s the same thing. I normally do a story of something that has happened in my life, and then I bring a message out of it. And Darrell, I know what you’re thinking. You’re looking at royalties from me. You really deserve royalties. I think I’m just nicking your idea for Stuff I Learned Yesterday for my youth talks.
There’s something so powerful in storytelling. There’s something so powerful in wisdom got through experiences and to be able to pass that on. I’m not at your level, far from it, Darrell, but I just wanted to let you know how much of an impact you have had in my life. And then through me, others hearing my stories, some good, maybe some not so good, but hopefully there has been lessons learned from that.
So, Darrell, I’m over the moon that SILY is back every Monday. It’s a real treat. It’s something to look forward to. And the final bit of feedback is, I hope in that spreadsheet there’s a column for year three and year four, and then you’re not stopping the next two years. Darrell, thank you so much.
Here’s Bradley’s contribution:
Hey Darrell and fellow SILY listeners, this is Bradley Netherton sending in feedback for the Monday Mailbag episode. And I just wanted to say that your episodes have been so influential on me and have helped me be a better father, a better parent, a better husband, and, you know, overall a better person in life. We had, some great times in Nashville for the, podcast convention a few years back now. And, I really enjoyed our time together. And you’ve really been a mentor to me in life in a lot of ways and helped me to be a better person, as I said.
But, one of the things that I really enjoyed, I could talk about all your SILY episodes, but one of the most recent ones you did was when you asked about what, was the most standout memories from your kids and them being the more mundane things. We’ve gone to all these big dinosaur recreation parks that they’ve done and hockey games, all this stuff. And I’ve taken them to all types of fairs and everything.
But I asked my son, Julian, and he’s only four, my youngest. Arlo is two. He’s a bit too young for it, but I asked you and I said, “what is the best memory that you have? Or what is one of the funnest times that you had with me. What is one of the funest things we’ve done?” And he didn’t didn’t name any of the things that I thought he’d name. He didn’t name when we went and bought a bunch of stuff and went to the movies and then popcorn and stuff. He didn’t name that. He didn’t name any of the trips we’d taken or anything.
But one day, to help them just to play with them a little bit. I know that they love going to the park. And I said, “hey, why don’t we have a park day? And why don’t we just go and we’ll just stay out and we’ll go to the different parks, and we’ll just go to as many parks as we can in a day.” And we didn’t leave early in the morning, we left maybe the middle of the morning. We went and grabbed some lunch and we went to, I think 5 or 6 parks. And it started raining at the end. So we did get rained out of the last park we went to.
We would just go and we’d play for, you know, 20 minutes, 30 minutes at a park, maybe longer than that. And I’d say, who’s ready for the next park? And we’d go and a couple were within walking distance, so we went to do those. And a couple we had to drive across and one was even in it that counted as a park was in the local mall that we have that is sort of a play area for kids. And we went and ate lunch at the food court, a light lunch there before we went home, before bed.
And when I asked him, he said that that was what he remembered most. And it was a trip where I didn’t spend a lot of money. There weren’t any tickets involved. You know, some of these other things we did, you’re looking at 50 to $75 a pop, depending on how things go or going to the fair and buying all the tickets and stuff. And it was just me and my two boys going from park to park, and me engaging and playing with them. And that was what he remembered most. And much like you, I just found that so funny that that was the case. Since then we’ve done more things like that. But he still talks about that park day, so we’re planning another one.
But thank you for these episodes, Darrell. Thank you for all the years of SILY that you’ve done. It means a lot to me that these are the episodes are out there and that you’re doing these. I just can’t thank you enough for this. And I can’t wait to hear the other feedback. And again, you know, as my kids grow older, I hope to make more memories like that. I did take him to Disney World as well. So I’m sure there will be more Disney World trips as well. But I will learn to enjoy the small and the big moments. And you’ve helped to teach me that. So thank you for that, Darrell.
Colby, my son, listens to each episode. After a recent episode he texted me saying, ‘Ur wise.” At first I wasn’t sure if he was being serious. After learning that he was, here’s the advice I gave him and I think it’s a great way to end our episode today.
- Ask God. “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” I have literally asked God for wisdom nearly every day of my life since I was 14.
- Don’t be afraid to make mistakes and always try to learn from them.
- Like today’s episode said, surround yourself with great people. You don’t want to surround yourself with people who will bring you down, lazy, dishonest, etc. You also don’t want to be the smartest/wisest guy in the room. Be around people that are already at where you want to be, and also those who want to be where you’re at.
- Read. Read the Bible every day. It’s FULL of wisdom. Read books that will help you improve your sills in all areas of life.
- Stay humble and be willing to learn at all times from all people.
- Come full circle. Thank God for the wisdom he’s given you and ask him to show you how to use it.
I’m Darrell Darnell, and this has been Stuff I Learned Yesterday.
Did you enjoy this first Monday Mailbag? Well, I want you to be a part of the next Monday Mailbag on July 29th! Monday Mailbag is your opportunity to Share what YOU’VE learned, so that other listeners and I can learn from YOU. It can be a message as short as 30 seconds or several minutes long. It really doesn’t matter just as long as it’s something that will benefit others. You can send in questions or responses to my SILY episodes, and I’ll respond to them via Monday Mailbag episodes. You can participate in Monday Mailbags by visiting the Golden Spiral Media listener feedback page at goldenspirlamedia.com/feedback.