This week, we're focusing on important life skills
every person should know. I'm zoning in on two a day. If you missed any of the previous ones, you can access my past newsletter issues to read those. Here are the new ones:
3. Parallel park. My friend Maxine, who has been driving for nearly 30 years, claims she cannot parallel park...if that parking requires her to get her car parked in between two other cars. If she can't pull
right into the spot (meaning there are no other cars parked there), she will seek out the nearest parking lot which can be several blocks away depending on where she needs to be.
This is,
at minimum, an inconvenience, but could even be a safety issue if she finds herself having to park in an unfamiliar town sometime...which she said has been a problem in the past.
If you are
like Maxine, a driver without parallel parking skills, this is something that's not very hard to learn...with practice. Ask someone to help you work through it.
Start with very large
parking spaces on residential
streets that are not busy. It's natural to park too far or too close to the curb when you are learning. Keep doing it until it becomes easier for you.
By the way, the most important part of parallel parking is "starting" correctly. You always have to use the car parked "in front" of the space you want as your starting point.
Pull alongside the car in front of you so that your car is aligned with theirs. That's when you begin pulling back straight and then turning in. Yes, it takes practice, but eventually it will be second nature.
4. Write a thank
you note. It's not old-fashioned to send a thank you note. It's a polite, kind expression of your appreciation for the kindness that you were
given by another human being.
Always have a stack of thank you cards on hand. You can buy
then individually, or as a pack. I usually buy a pack when needed. It's less expensive to do so, as opposed to one by one, and I always have a bunch on hand.
Begin writing your note
with Dear Sally (fill in
whatever name is appropriate, of course) and then continue with something like, "Your gift truly warmed my heart."
Continue with the reason you are appreciative, such as, "You know how much I love to eat at Carmine's and I don't get out all that much. The gift certificate you sent will be such a treat to enjoy."
Feel free to add any other personal notes and then close your note. For example, "I appreciate your thoughtfulness. Love, Gina."
It doesn't have to be a novel; it just needs to express your gratitude.
Does it have to be a printed card in the mail? I always see this as a bit more
gracious...BUT, a text message or email can do as well. The important thing is to thank the person...and don't wait too long
to do so.
Try to get it out to the person within a day or two whenever possible; you have a bit longer if it's a wedding gift, but write them out as soon as you
can. You have up to a year after a wedding to send a thank you, but really, for most people this TO Do can be done much sooner!
To be continued tomorrow...
