Sheldon Cooper – As I was saying…

What could you do differently?

Watching the BB comedy series several times now from the pilot to the finale has taught me some things about myself. In hindsight I never knew I was a lot like Sheldon Cooper, but I was. Certainly not in the aspect of Sheldon’s eidetic memory, although my memory is pretty good, but in the sense that Sheldon was constantly correcting other people’s perspective on an issue. Sheldon seemed to have an answer for everything, a solution to every problem, that was simply better than everyone else’s ideas or solutions.

These days I find myself looking back and see a lot of that in me, with people or situations in the past where I might have been their Sheldon. It’s humbling to me that I acted or spoke in these ways, and I’m trying to do this differently now.

One aspect of Sheldon’s personality which I identify with but am striving to do differently today is this constant offering of an opinion before being asked if I even have one. Becoming highly sensitive to this flaw in my behavior was sparked recently in a conversation with a very dear person in my life. Without waiting to be asked if I had any ideas, insights, or solutions, in a conversation with this person I just jumped in with both feet and found them squarely in my mouth.

Not only was it not the right time for me to say something, it was not even something I should have said, or been involved with. In acting this way I instantly felt uncomfortable, wishing I had said nothing at all.

The person accepted my apology, and life with them goes on, but in this is a valuable lesson for all of us. Social media in general, regardless of the platform (TikTok, Facebook, Instagram or whatever), has given everyone the impression that we can just rant and rave to our hearts content about anyone or anything.

I’m going to try to do it differently. I’m going to hold my tongue, wait to be asked my opinion, make observations to myself rather than outloud, and most of all, think before I speak. What a novel idea, huh?

Temporary

short term

Contrary to the warning on all these yellow post-its, we do forget. We forget where we put our keys. We forget someone’s birthday, or worse the anniversary. We forget where we park, we forget to send a thank-you note. For some, forgetfulness is worse than others. Those people who have perfect eidetic memories, like Sheldon Cooper on “Big Bang Theory,” drive me nuts. I’m much more like my uncle Wylie who is known for his one-liners. One of his favorites, and mine too, was “I’d forget my head if it wasn’t attached.”

I’m officially a senior adult by many standards today, so why do I still feel like I did in my 30’s? I know my age, I haven’t forgotten how old I am. I have all my faculties, and I remember what I ate for breakfast yesterday. I know what year it is, and who is President. However, it’s like my brain has areas where the stuff that goes in… is like short-term parking. It’s there only for a little while, and “poof”, it’s gone. You too may be aware of the frustrations and disparities which derive from not remembering things you are supposed to recall instantly. Instead of Sheldon, at times I relate more to Dori, and her short-term memory problem.

For hundreds of years, the history of people groups was passed down verbally from generation to generation. Like in the 1985 film, the third installment in the Mad Max series called Beyond Thunderdome, Savannah Nix does the “tallin.” After all are gathered around she begins the verbal history which must be remembered. She begins, “This you know: the years travel fast, and time after time I done the tell. But this ain’t onebody’s tell. It’s the tell of us all, and you’ve gotta listen and to ‘member, ’cause what you hears today you gotta tell the newborn tomorrow. I’s lookin’ behind us now into history back...”

Where are you going with all the forgetfulness and story telling, Dr. Wilkins? I’m so glad you asked. There is something that stirred in me when I saw this word for the Daily Post. I was reminded of something easily forgotten. I wish to remind you of it as well. For those who read this blog everyday, and read yesterday’s post “Rancorous Relationships,” today I didn’t forget that all this is very TEMPORARY. Everything in this life is but a blink. This is not a permanent dwelling place. This is not my final destination, it is just short-term parking.

Neither the pangs and trials of this life, nor the death that awaits me (if Christ doesn’t call us all home first), will cause my spirit to reside on this planet one minute longer than God deems necessary. My destination is secure. My Savior, Jesus Christ the Lord, has ascended to His throne in heaven to prepare a place, a room, a permanent dwelling space for ME!!!! So whatever crazy or minor inconveniences I might suffer while parking here temporarily, is insignificant in the larger view of eternity. I refuse to be bogged down more than one single day (yesterday for instance), by the temporary nature of things related to this planet, and my daily life here.

Don’t forget! Don’t forget! Burn this image of all these post-it notes into the center of your being. Don’t forget… this is a temporary dwelling place. But the one which awaits us is so glorious as to be impossible to describe. John did His best, under the direction of the Holy Spirit, and the direct dictation of Jesus in the Book of Revelation. However beautiful these images are, they are a glimpse at best. Read for yourself about a new heaven, a new earth, a new Jerusalem, the River of Life, and the Tree of Life, in Revelation 21-22. And whatever you do, don’t forget what Jesus promises:

Revelation 22:20
He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming quickly.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!!

Tag: Sheldon Cooper

Short-term Parking