Zubaz on "This I Believe"
A series on NPR
Friday, November 16, 2007 by ZubaZ | Discussion: WinCustomize Talk
I just got an email from the local National Public Radio affiliate asking me to come down and record an essay I wrote for their series "This I Believe". What an exciting honor! And the best part? No one can see my misspellings on the radio.
As you probably know, 88.7 FM, KUHF-Houston Public Radio is partnering with NPR on many projects. We're now teaming up with NPR to present local segments of "This I Believe". NPR has forwarded the essay you submitted and I'd like to schedule a time when you can come to the KUHF Studios and record your "This I Believe" essay for our local radio series.
I think your essay is great and believe it would be a great radio piece for our listeners to enjoy."
And my essay:
How many times have you heard this conversation?
‘‘How’s it going?’’ "It’s Monday." Or "‘Thank God it’s Friday.’’ Or "At least it’s payday’’
For years I heard people answer that question with those answers or not even pay attention to the question and respond with an ‘‘OK’’ in passing. I actually found myself doing the same thing more often than not.
One day I realized that I was tired of the life I was leading myself into. Part of it was probably related to hearing the Dave Ramsey radio program. When asked by a caller how he was doing he answered ‘‘Better than I deserve.’’ He thought about his response.
So I decided to start doing the same thing and answering questions with real thought.
I decided to be positive. I started out by thinking about the things that were making my life less than it should have been. I found that my life was pretty good. I have an awesome family. A job I love. Friends. Leisure time. Hobbies. I have a good life. The things in my days that were negative were fleeting.
After some introspection, I found that amongst time with family, time working, time sleeping, and general crappy-ness, most of my day was good. Very little was THAT bad. Most days are good days.
Then I made an internal scale of days. A great day is a day that has a child’s birth. Another great day was my wife accepting my marriage proposal. The terrible day on my scale is the death of my little sister. She was born on my birthday and was the best gift I ever got or will ever get.
I know it’s possible to have worse days. I’m sure mine can’t compare with some. But that’s my current scale.
So now, when people ask me how I am doing or a related question, I stop and think about the day so far. I think about my expectations for the rest of the day. I think about my scale. And I answer, ‘‘Today is a good day.’’
It’s amazing how many people stop after hearing that response. Then they ask me why. It’s easy to find something that made today good. Some days it may be that I woke up alive again. I have days like that too.
I’ve been doing this for a few months now. And I am hearing other people say it now. And I am seeing people smile when they say it; when they hear it.
The real point is that I am reminded by my own response every time I say it.
We all have different measures of success here at WC. If I can improve one person's life by hearing this I'll chalk this up as a success.
I wanted to share this with you all because . . you know . . we're family.
UPDATE 2008-02-01: The essay is now live. You can hear it here
 |
|
Page 2 of 3 | |
|
|---|
Reply #22 Friday, February 1, 2008 8:10 AM
Today my essay aired!
http://www.kuhf.org/site/News2?JServSessionIdr004=3d3p3b4wq2.app5b&page=NewsArticle&id=22922&news_iv_ctrl=2841
(And what a horrible picture)
Reply #23 Friday, February 1, 2008 8:49 AM
Reply #24 Friday, February 1, 2008 9:02 AM
In the hubbub of modern life with a mile of advertising telling us what we should do and desire its easy to forget the simplest facts of all, that I am the master of my own destiny and above all that I can decide how I feel - not have it decided for me.
Reply #25 Friday, February 1, 2008 10:16 AM
I expected you to mispronounce at least a couple words. I was also curious how you say the word "teh"
Reply #26 Friday, February 1, 2008 10:30 AM
I expected you to mispronounce at least a couple words. I was also curious how you say the word "teh"
Two things:
- There werwe many, many takes
- It was all recorded digitally and they were able to edit out a lot of teh "issues"
I meant what I said in the essay. ANd the time I spent originally thinking about it and then writing it, then recording it has been wonderful. Anyone can submit their own essays and even if it doesn't go any farther than thinking about what you beleive it has value.
Submit your own essay here.
Reply #28 Friday, February 1, 2008 11:26 AM
That's awesome, Zubaz. Congrats!
One of these days I'm going to make a pledge and get myself one of those NPR coffee mugs.
Reply #32 Friday, February 1, 2008 1:00 PM
again congratz
Anne
Reply #36 Friday, February 1, 2008 5:37 PM
and...
A face made for radio!
ZubaZ waits for someone to disagree . . "No Zubaz, you are one good-looking fellow"
Reply #38 Friday, February 1, 2008 6:34 PM
Who's Mr. Klenke? You mean your real name isn't Zubaz?
Seriously, nice work.
Reply #39 Saturday, February 2, 2008 2:33 AM
It was a good day.
I spent the better part of it with my writing partner writing on a sappy but thoroughly enjoyable romance. I moved a 90lb tv moved from one stand to another, mostly by myself. Yay me!
A tiny excerpt just cause the last line makes me laugh and I wrote it!
"That was great," she said, grinning.
He glanced back at her and grinned. "You'll be the talk of the town," he warned her, pulling up in front of the diner.
Maggie rolled her eyes. "I guess it gives them something to talk about," she sighed.
"Yeah. Nice cafe owner seen carousing with evil biker gang leader," he said, laughing quietly.
"I was not carousing!" she protested, slipping off the bike.
"Want to?" he asked, grinning.
Reply #40 Saturday, February 2, 2008 9:30 AM
In ya dreams....
Please login to comment and/or vote for this skin.
Welcome Guest! Please take the time to register with us.
There are many great features available to you once you register, including:
- Richer content, access to many features that are disabled for guests like commenting on the forums and downloading skins.
- Access to a great community, with a massive database of many, many areas of interest.
- Access to contests & subscription offers like exclusive emails.
- It's simple, and FREE!
|
|
Page 2 of 3 | |
|
|---|
Reply #21 Sunday, November 18, 2007 8:08 AM