Friday, January 18, 2008

GESTURES

All morning, in the company of my computer, and the Provider of all thought, I have pondered the matter of Gestures.

As I thought about gestures, I wondered, "What might we communicate with one hand? "

A thought came. "If we hold one hand up and hold it still, palm facing forward, that gesture means "STOP".

Before I go on, I wish to say that I am left-handed, a "Lefty", a "South Paw". Thus, if I want to communicate for someone to "stop", I hold up my left hand, with my palm facing out.

The question has come into my mind now, "Who ever determined that a left hand was a "south paw?"

Aha, I have now determined that if I face the West, my left side is found to be toward the South. So, too, is my left arm, my left hand, my left ear, and my left foot.

I wish now to ask other "lefties" to shout with me,"Hooray". At times the left foot is honored. When people in a parade march, each participant starts out on the left foot. Thus, the left foot gets to be a leader.

I use my left hand to write, to peel potatoes, to wash dishes, to carry a bag from the grocery, and for other tasks that haven't yet come to mind. I put a telephone receiver to my left ear.

Do each one of us hold up our dominant hand as a gesture to communicate information to others?

One caution: If one ever holds up a hand to stop a person from ranting, stand back from the "ire" you may raise. ( "Don't you put your hand in front of my face!)

Yet when our Crossing guard, Tim, holds up a red STOP sign before drivers,
not one driver objects.

Is the word STOP used on large red signs in other countries? Are all "Stop" signs, hexagonal in shape (? ) and that shape wherever in the world, those signs are found?

After thought
Luckily both of my hands, and the fingers on each hand work well. At the computer, my right hand moves the computer "mouse" for the times it has tasks to do. More often, my fingers on each hand, use the keys and write on the screen the thoughts that come to mind, and I treasure.
*******

As I note the thoughts above: I am reminded again that not one of us, including outdoor creatures, can "think up" a thought or an idea. But when there a need, as in times of hunger, times of cold, or times of emergencies, ideas come that bring relief.

Sometimes, we hunger to share ourselves with others. Our Gracious Creator is aware of such desire and sends thoughts and ideas for us human folk to share.

For now, a final thought has come. "It seems that in our conversations, our smiles, our warm-hearted greetings, and in the loving thoughts we hold for others, each of us provides a special kind of nurture. To that conviction, I am certain our Creator nods an assent.

Marylee Manson Armour
January 18, 2008

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