All Psyched Up: Strange Things
By Linda Hancock on March 23, 2024.
Have you ever noticed things around you that just don’t make sense to you? Perhaps, when they occur, you question yourself and wonder if you have caused the situation or are responsible for fixing it. You didn’t and you aren’t. Here are some life riddles that have been puzzling me lately: 1. Plastic straws used to be wrapped in paper and now, because of environmental concerns, we are given paper straws that are wrapped in plastic. How has that solved the problem? That’s a head scratcher for sure! 2. Airlines have strict baggage regulations. Checked luggage cannot be over 50 pounds in weight. You are allowed one carry on and a personal item in addition to this. But, if you are willing to check your unweighed carry on when requested by airline staff, you actually have two checked bags (the second without charge) and can still take one carry on and a personal item which don’t have weight restrictions. If weight is actually the issue, why aren’t the airlines considering that whether the bags are with you in the plane’s cabin or under it as freight, the weight is still the same? 3. Ordering clothing on-line can raise my curiosity. I remember looking at bathing suits on a popular site. A message appeared stating that I should order a certain size which would fit me best. How did they figure that out when even I usually don’t know what size to order? 4. Why do banks ask me what I am going to go with my money when I ask for a fairly large amount? And did you notice that sometimes the bank has to order it in because they don’t have enough in the branch? My grandson’s fiancé who works in a bank told me that thieves would do better to rob a 7-11 than a bank now because they have more money on site. Where is my money actually being stored? 5. Sometimes I find it extremely difficult to get into one of my password protected computer accounts and even get locked out. How can it be so simple for a scammer to access my accounts or those of large organizations who swear that they are safe? 6. Why do people have two vehicles and one house? Wouldn’t it make more sense to have one vehicle that will take them back and forth between two houses? 7. What is it about the emotional attachment I have to things that will likely end up in a second-hand store once I leave this planet? Chances are that no one will treasure them as much as I have. Am I the problem, or are they? 8. Should other people be worried when I find myself trying to open the door of my condo with the remote control for my car? Do we “cross the line” a little bit at a time or in one fall swoop? 9. Isn’t it strange that I have had four recall notices since I purchased my new car? Was someone sleeping in the factory when they put it together or were they just deliberately ignoring procedures? 10. Have you noticed that you can fly return to London, England from Medicine Hat (more than 60,00 km) for just over $700 but flying from Calgary to Regina costs over $800 even though it is about one-tenth of the distance? Wouldn’t they need more fuel and have more expenses to fly me the further distance? No, you are NOT crazy, and you don’t need to question your mental health at all. Things that used to make sense don’t always make sense anymore. Don’t immediately blame yourself or think that you have a problem because it is harder to figure things out than you might have in the past. Common sense is not that common anymore. And it doesn’t make sense to everyone. Just look around society and you will soon understand what I am saying. Have you noticed the glazed over eyes when you ask someone for something that you thought everyone would comprehend? In the meantime, tuck your annoyance away, have a little chucked and enjoy the ride. After all it is the only one we’ve got right now! Dr. Linda Hancock, the author of “Life is An Adventure…every step of the way” and “Open for Business Success” is a Registered Psychologist who has a private practice in Medicine Hat. She can be reached at 403-529-6877 or through email office@drlindahancock.com 17-16
