One of those days?
22 Feb 2012 Leave a Comment
in Life lessons
Have you ever had one of those days where everything seems to go wrong? It started with a flat tire in the pouring rain, the kids being late to school, the boss yelling at you, the dog got out .. popped in the neighbors yard and he stepped in it. ooh yuck! Then last but not least you burnt dinner. Unfortunately you don’t have time to do anything about it, because you have to get to your bible study class. So, now you’re tired, overly sensitive may snap any moment.
When you arrive you’re hoping to just relax a little, but the conversation gets lively and you want to say something. But you get cut off every time you try to speak up, which creates even more frustration in you. Then to top it off some seemingly nice person asks you the most absurd question, which sound like a backhanded insult. The whole room goes quiet. You can’t think of a thing to say.. but deep inside tears are welling up, its the straw that break the camels back. Finally someone speaks up and conversation moves on. But out of the corner of your eye you glare at them, anger builds and builds within you. Why did they have to say that then? Any other time it wouldn’t have phased you at all, but you were weak and tired, so the arrow pierced your soul and left its poison within.
I’ve had those kinds of days to,where I struggled with the frustration and bitterness that tried to overtake me, because someone hurt my feelings and I feel into the trap of being offended. I got stuck there and couldn’t seem to let it go. I finally reached out for help from a wise and trusted friend. She helped me see both sides of the picture and understand the other person was struggling with some issues as well and didn’t mean to be offensive at all. We prayed together and I thought all was well… But when it came time for our next meeting I admit I had a lot of reservations about going. The issue flared up again. But that still small voice I know so well, reminded me about the things that are pure, lovely, noble and of good report and I did have a good report to share. So.. grumbling a little I went anyway. Everything went well. Lord forgive me for being so narrow-minded and complaining about such a small issue. Help me to see things and people from your point of view always look at both sides of the picture.
The dreaded sales pitch
07 Feb 2012 Leave a Comment
Do you ever get frustrated with people refuse to accept no for an answer? I recently met a woman who sells a certain type of skin care product and agreed to meet with her. Unfortunately things do not always work out as planned and had to change the appointment. I left her a message informing her of the change thinking all was well.
A week later I was getting ready for an appointment and she called.She wanted to know if our appointment was still on for later that afternoon. I reminded her about the message I left. and became a little annoyed she admitted to getting it but didn’t change the appointment. After a short conversation I thought she finally understood that I needed to postpone our appointment and would let her know when I was available. But I was wrong!
She kept calling, several times a day. At this point I was beyond being annoyed it was time to take action.. I changed my voice mail greeting . I’m not available to answer your call at this time. Please leave a message at the beep. If you’re calling about make-up or jewelry parties I ‘m not available to take part at this time.
One of my biggest pet peeves about sales people is when you tell them no, they refuse to leave you alone. Once they have your phone number and email address they’re relentless and it makes you want to pull your hair out in frustration. Now don’t get me wrong, I realize they have a job to do and their livelihood may depend on how many sales they have. But there’s a whole world full of people out there who would love to buy their product, so why do they harass those of us who don’t want it. I don’t know.
Well, she called yesterday morning and today so by now she’s heard the message. Do you think she’ll get it this time? I hope so, she seems like a nice woman but needs to move on to the next customer. I’m no longer interested.
The problem with Walgreens
12 Jan 2012 Leave a Comment
It’s been a long day and all you want to do is go home and relax. But the doc. says you got the flu so he writes you a prescription which means you need to stop at Walgreens and the line is 10 people deep . The woman at the head of the line leaves with empty hands and shaking her head. Curious, you ask her what’s wrong. Tears fill her eyes ” They can’t find my insurance information and they were very rude to me and she wondered off visibly upset. The line moved forward slightly.
After another ten minutes someone else is excused from the counter without their prescriptions and looks very upset. After almost 45 minutes it’s finally your turn. By this time you’re wondering if the same thing will happen to you and it does. Not only can they not find your insurance information, they tell you that they don’t have what you need in stock. You leave empty-handed and infuriated.
Has this ever happened to you? Well, this and more has happened to me and many other Walgreen customers. { see complaints} against Walgreens.} So my husband and I did some research on the internet about Walgreen and found many complaints against Walgreens pharmacy. complaints about over charging for medications, poor customer service, refusing to fill prescriptions, prescription errors, which resulted in death and other issues. After looking over many pages of complaints I realized this is not an isolated issue of just a few bad clerks or pharmacists it appears to be common practice. {More consumer complaints / complaints .
Consumers are not the only ones upset with Walgreen.. Express scripts filed a formal complaint against Walgreens. Express Scripts / Walgreens goes to court . Express Scripts no longer does business with Walgreens. TO SAY NOTHING of the lawsuits against Walgreens for prescriptions errors which have caused four deaths since September 2006{ according to USA Today news paper Feb 20o8} Which says that this is not a recent problem but an on-going one. Numerous lawyers across the country are representing clients who have lost loved ones due to prescription errors and pharmacists who admitted to abusing drugs themselves. There is also lawsuit in California against Walgreens for selling patient medical information And this is only the tip of the ice-berg.
Based on the information above and the number of complaints against Walgreens it appears they’re involved in unsafe and unethical practices. Such as: prescription drug errors which have caused several deaths, selling patient medical information, use pharmacists who abuse drugs, refusing to fill prescriptions, loss of medical insurance information, etc etc.. Did you known pharmacists who work at Walgreens get a bonus based on the number of prescriptions they fill per day. So are they in such a hurry to fill prescriptions they don’t bother to make sure it’s right, so they can get their bonus? It makes you wonder doesn’t it?
So ask yourself these questions before you fill your next prescription at Walgreens. Is it worth the frustration, and wasted time it takes to get the prescription? Can I really trust them to give my family, children and myself the right medication? Do I want to take that risk? I don’t know about you, but I’m not willing to gamble with my life to risk trusting a company that shows such little regard for human life they don’t care if your prescription is right or not.
More links about problems with Walgreens
http://walgreens-pharmacy-reviews.measuredup.com/Complaint-feel-cheated-21325
http://www.pharmacyfraudsettlement.com/Walgreens/Walgreens-Complaint.pdf
http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/health/2008-02-12-pharmacy-errors_N.htm
http://abcnews.go.com/Business/Story?id=3809406&page=1
http://www.law360.com/health/articles/299486/walgreen-par-schemed-to-overcharge-for-generics-suit
http://attorneypages.com/hot/walgreens-settle-qui-tam-lawsuit.htm
The inner critic
03 Jan 2012 1 Comment
In my earlier post I mentioned I was in favor of writing news resolutions and thought about what they should be. First of all I have to finish my novel, at least the first draft by the end of February. That may seem like a daunting task, but as I’m only on chapter five. However, I know what I must first do something about my inner critic. It’s become far to bossy, demanding and refuses to shut up. I may have to duct tapes its mouth, tie it up and lock in a closet, or better yet, tie it to a huge stone and throw it in the ocean.. which by the way is not from from where I live.
I blame my lack of inspiration and procrastination on this demanding inner critic. But I’ve made up my mind, I’m done listening to its unless tirade of negativity. So I’m going to kick it out of my life for good. I’m going to replace the negative with positive..and allow that inner child to come out and play, through my writing. This idea came to me, from a book about writing. . It sat on my shelf for a few years and I refer to it from time to time, but never seriously considered doing the writing assignments it suggested. But when I did, I felt something within me open up, like an old attic chest I discovered some amazing treasures within.
Now I suppose you’re wondering what the name of the book is: Breathing life into your characters. By Rachel Ballon,PH.D. It’s an awesome book and if you follow her advice, I’m sure you’ll discover your own treasure chest of writing wonders and insights. I believe with the help of this book and others I have in my writing library I can finish that first draft and move on to getting it ready for publication.
Sometimes, it’s easy to get stuck in a rut of the same boring routine and never venture beyond our comfort zone. But this year will be different and all I need is one resolution to remind me to keep going forward.. It’s never too late to become what you might have been. My dream since I was a child, was to become a published writer. What held me back ..was not believing in myself enough to take the needed risks. But all that has changed over the last couple years and my dream is so close to becoming a reality I can taste it. That’s not just positve or hopeful thinking, it reality. While I can’t discuss the details at this time but it will happen.
Now I suppose you’re wondering what the novel is about. Let me give you a glimpse. A young woman mysteriously disappears three days before her wedding and her body was never found. Then twenty-two years later her fiancé begins having reoccurring nightmares and receiving mysterious notes saying she’s alive a month before he plans on getting married. Will he discover the reasons behind the messages in time to make the right the decision about his future.
New year resolutions
29 Dec 2011 1 Comment
I was wondering how many people actually write new years resolutions and keep them. I don’t know about you, but it’s been several years since I wrote any new years resolutions. Now that doesn’t mean I’m not in favor of them. I believe setting in setting goals and making needed changes in our lives. But why wait until the new year? Why not start today? Take a step out of the box of daily routines and do something different. For example: I used to wear jeans, long T-shirts and tennis shoes all the time. I was stuck in a fashion nightmare until I began watching the show ” What not to Wear“ I realized I was so out of fashion, I wasn’t sure how long it would take to find my way back. LOL. But the show inspired me to test the waters and try something new.
So I headed off to the mall one day to face myself in the dreaded dressing room mirror. It was a scary experience.. age had taken over that once nicely curved body and turned it into a menopausal mess. But I was determined to find a way to improve it at least on the surface. So I tried on many kinds of styles, colors and fashion accessories. Some made me look downright ridiculous, others were borderline and some were just right. Over time I changed my whole wardrobe and began feeling better about myself as well. I now have a nice variety of clothes in my closet that reflects the new me and look good too.
While it was may have seemed scary to try something new, I’M GLAD I DID IT. You see, I think we make this thing called change way too difficult. Which may be why we never get around to completing last years resolutions or writing new ones. Personally. I like variety in my life. A change of pace is good for me now and then. It keeps me from getting stuck in a rut AND helps break through those dreaded moments of writers block,, when my inspiration has gone vacation.
So, regardless if you write new years resolutions or not, think of the coming year , as a time to try new things, explore new possibilities, adventures and maybe even try on that outfit, you’ve been admiring in the store window. HAPPY NEW YEAR
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