Beloved,
Yesterday for me was a full day of concentration and frustration. Do I dare just mention the word “smart phone”? I decided to bite the bullet and get one. The last thing that convinced me was the fact that there is a Spectrum store that will guide me through the process of setting it up and it is only 45 minutes away. I have a flip top phone and 1 land line phone with 4 cordless phones, one in each room so I don’t have to make a run for it when it rings. And I am going to replace these with one phone I do not understand???? Well, this last storm on which I was without TV or computer for 5 days convinced me that it was not smart at my age to be without some sort of communication with the outside world especially since I live alone.
Spectrum was running a special for $19 for phone and service which I just could not pass up especially when there was help available. I got up early and went to the store which takes no phone calls to get my phone set up. I could not believe my eyes when I got to the store. Only one customer at a time and the rest has to wait in line outside. I was fortunate as I was the third one so I did not have to wait too long. I went into the bare room with no furniture so I asked for a chair which she was reluctant to furnish but finally did so I could sit while we muddled through. Muddled was the right word because she did not seem to know what to do with me so she called Spectrum and was on the phone with them for 45 minutes until finally I was told to go home and spectrum would call me within 2 hours. All this while she is feeling such stress because she was facing the window and could see the long line outside in the rain waiting to see her. I apologized to the people waiting as I left and told them not to blame the clerk, she did all she could. I was furious with Spectrum for not having 2 clerks and expecting the one clerk to handle the volume of business. I did not dare go shopping or do anything but race home to be there hoping they did not call while I was on the road.
I got home and had just taken off my jacket when Spectrum called and I was speaking to the girl that was trying to help the Spectrum store clerk. What luck because I did not have to try to explain what happened because I did not know? She worked with me for half an hour and then her supervisor took over. It is difficult to know what I am seeing when they cannot see it. The supervisor was working with me when all of a sudden, the English language disappeared and a different language appeared which I did not understand. We worked on that for 20 minutes when she finally gave me a phone number to a Geek Squad called Pocket Geek because she could not get my phone back to factory settings. I must have sounded frazzled as she suggested I take a break before I call the Geeks. Sooooo, I made my lunch and ate it and was ready for the next go round.
I called them and the young man was so helpful but especially patient. All the while this was going on, I was struggling with holding the phone without pressing on either side as there buttons on both sides. Do you know how to hold your phone without touching the sides? If you do, let me know. It was also so frustrating because the darn thing shut off after half a minute with the screen going dark and I would have to push the button again to get the screen back. I asked him if we could fix that and he said yes but we have to reach a certain point in order to be able to access that part of the phone. And… we are still trying to get back to having the English language because I could not tell him what was on the particular page I was on. I think we were both at the end of our wits when suddenly the English Language appeared and from then on, things got a little easier. I have never texted and here the phone was asking me to type things in and the letters and symbols are so small, I was having trouble finding the period. And…it kept shutting off on me because it was taking me so long.
Finally, the phone was responding to his commands and I followed him when…I forgot the name of the helper on the phone which helps me, but she recognized my voice and would type that on the phone with her answer. How confusing. I am trying to read what is on the screen fast enough so that it does not go dark on me again. Does all of this bring back memories of when you first got a smart phone? If so, I hope this is not stressing you out.
We were on the phone for two hours before it was finally over and my brain was mush. I had spent the whole day trying to figure things out which my brain did not understand BUT my helpers were angels, who else would put up with these scenarios and remain patient. And….Charles from Pocket Geek told me to feel free to call them anytime I have a question and they will be happy to help me. Imagine being willing to go through this again with me. I don’t think I am willing but am so grateful that I know help is only a phone call away and I don’t have to call Spectrum and stay on the phone for a half an hour waiting to talk to someone. There IS always a rainbow at the end of a storm.
Judith Orloff’s advice is great and I believe it works. I could not do that with my stress yesterday because my brain was too busy learning what to do next. Read this as she gives you a Mantra that will help when you are stressed.
“The Miraculous Victory of the Lion’s Gate” by Patricia Diane Cota-Robles. Wouldn’t you like to know about your victory? This is inspiring.
Here is an example of collaborating with each other, personally and globally. Just to let you know that cooperation does exist among us humans.
Are you ready for a smile? Human ingenuity at work.
This is a message for anyone who doubts our United States Post Office. One way to ease your concerns if you have any.
Adding a stamp to your postage paid ballot will force USPS to handle it as first class instead of bulk. Pass the word.
Love and Light
Mary Grace
https://thewoundedchalice.com