Bring Back Those Bench Seats

 

Hello! I hope everyone enjoyed the Thanksgiving holiday and is looking forward to continuing in an attitude of thanks as we move toward Christmas. I sincerely do, but now I want to move on to what is really on my heart and mind to share with you. 

Over the course of the last couple of weeks, several articles have popped up on my newsfeed pertaining to the issues, aka, problems in the workplace when it comes to Millennials and Gen-Z's. I didn't stop to read all of them, but I did click on four (maybe five) links to see what these writers had to say. One was a 'Top 10' list of reasons why these two groups were undesirable to employers. Another one was more informational or essay-like in nature. The other two I remember reading were actual interviews with various companies of all sizes which offered a variety of goods or services. The employers interviewed for these articles were both male and female, lived in different parts of the United States, and ranged between the ages of thirty-something to almost seventy. In other words, the demographics were broad. Yet the message was clearly the same. 

Across the board, every single one of these articles stated that the biggest concerns and problems businesses face in hiring these two groups of people are: 

A: Their inability and their resistance to be relational-to communicate in person. 

B: The inability and their resistance to make and hold eye-contact, shake hands, and work as a team in-person. 

C: Their lack of commitment and loyalty to the company. The mentality is to job-hop for personal satisfaction and gain. 

D: Their inability to receive constructive criticism. 

E: An overall attitude of entitlement and unwillingness to earn their way to 'the top'. 

F: Lack of respect and appreciation for tired and true methods and practices. 

Before I go any further, I want to say I do NOT believe everyone in these two groups fits this description. Furthermore, neither do the writer and individuals interviewed for these articles. In fact, some of the managers, bosses, and CEOs interviewed are Millennials (and even a few Gen-Z's)! So, what am I trying to say? 

I'm saying that each of these problems all share one thing in common: the lack of connection and the inability to connect. 

That's the 'what'. Now I'm going to take you on a journey through my brain to tell you why we have these problems. I know. Getting inside my head is even a little scary for me sometimes, but in this case, it's okay. I promise. Are you ready? The reason why these young adults have so much trouble communicating and connecting with people is because the auto industry got rid of bench seats. You heard me. When they stopped making cars with bench seats in front (the last being a 2013 Chevy Impala), the arts of communication and connection took a nosedive.

Think about it. The adults in these age groups wouldn't have had the pleasure of cruising around town with their date snuggled up next to them. Hey, when you were sitting so close a bobby pin couldn't fit between you, you were 'front seat official', which by the way, is way more official than being 'Facebook official'. Just sayin'....

Anyway, by the time these kids were old enough to date, the only cars that had bench seats were the big ole' grandma cars...if that. And we all know they wouldn't have been caught dead in one of those. Plus, when they got to where they were going (probably a movie), talking and __________ weren't an option unless you wanted to get 'shushed'. Tables became way more popular than booths in a restaurant. Activities that 'forced' you to socialize with each other-like roller skating and bowling-weren't cool, thanks to the 'awesomeness' of video games-games that require total concentration, i.e., no room for conversation. 

Do you see what happened? Do you see how young people lost the ability to communicate and connect with one another? Do you see why these things have become problems within our society? Do you understand why we need to turn this thing around? 

Bringing back bench seats and other things like board games and bowling and doing away with workplace practices that allow reclusiveness and solidarity won't fix everything. But it's a start, and if we don't start somewhere, we'll never get anywhere. 

Be salt and light, 

Darla, aka, Momma D 

Who am I?

 

I’m Darla Noble—Author and Speaker with over thirty years of experience. I am known for being a great storyteller, but not merely for the sake of telling a story. The stories I tell are a) true and b) they always have a takeaway, i.e., a life lesson meant to help you be a better version of yourself.

I’m Darla Noble—wife, mom, nanna, and a little ‘oldish’ lady who loves Jesus, her family, playing in the dirt, walking…walking…and more walking, riding bikes, hanging out with my mini-dachshund, eating popcorn, roast beef, Mexican food, reading, and watching old sitcoms.

​

What do I write? 

 

Inspirational nonfiction—Christian devotionals, books that spark the creativity in every mom and nanna’s heart, and one that breathes new life into the art of being a good neighbor and reminds you of why it matters.

​

Historical nonfiction—WWII and family memoirs.

​

Character Education & Family Fun—Books that use science and scripture to teach positive character, scavenger hunts of all kinds that are both educational and FUN, and write-in journals for tweens and teens.

 

What do I have to say and who do I say it to?

 

*WWII hands-on display and presentation based on “All My Love, George…Letters from a WWII Hero”. The presentation consists of brief reading from the book, an interactive time of Q&A, and time for participants to view and examine a variety of WWII memorabilia including George’s original letters and medals.

​

*Keepsake In The Making Classes, using the book, “Please Pass the Memories” as inspiration, the class consists of exploring and brainstorming fun, creative, and interesting ways we can use your family’s keepsakes, recipes, photos, stories, and even traditions (YIKES) to bring past, present, and future generations of your family together. Everyone needs and wants to have a sense of who and where they come from, and the Keepsake In The Making Class is the perfect way to do just that!

​

*Women’s ministry events/conferences/retreats. I offer several programs that are easily adaptable to fit your needs and timeframe. Workshops for each one are optional. Programs offered include: “Jesus and Zinnias Make Me Smile”, “Deuteronomy 6 Parenting”, “Please Pass the Memories:, “Love, Momma D; Getting to the Heart of Parenting From the Heart”, and “Sippin’ Tea With Jesus”. NOTE: I am also happy to speak on a topic/subject matter of your choosing.

​

*The Nanna Subscription—an easy, but oh, so fun mini-class which equips Nanna, Gma, Granny, Mama, Mimi, or whatever name your grandkids have for you, with EVERYTHING you need to engage and connect with your grandkids on a regular basis. No matter how young or old they are, no matter how many miles separate you, no matter how many grandkids you have, no matter…anything!

​

*Brighten the Corner Where You Are” is my newest book as well as the focus of an event I offer to individuals, community chambers of commerce, neighborhood organizations, HOAs (Home Owner Association), church groups, and anyone else interested in reviving the art of being a genuine friend and neighbor. Participants will discover (or rediscover) the value of kindness among neighbors, and of having a small circle of people you can count on and who can count on you…no matter what.

​

*Fun with science and a few illusions, “The Sneaky Banana Lesson (plus 26 more)” is a character education program for ages 5 to 15. This event is engaging, interactive, and overflows with life lessons young people relate to and that will make them want to be a little better and stand a little taller.

​

*If you don’t think it’s possible to have fun teaching math, science, verbal skills, ordering, rational thinking, and grammar, social skills, and team building, think again! “The Medium-Sized Book of Scavenger Hunts” event gets kids up and about, inside and out, talking and listening, and learning on the sly. This event is fun for classrooms, parties, family events, social gathers, team building, and lots more. NOTE: Fees for events vary. For more information, questions, or to book an event, CONTACT ME at dnoblewrites@yahoo.com, on Linkedin (Darla Noble), or on Facebook (Darla Noble).

​

Where can you find me?

I am winding down the season of speaking and book signings before the holidays, but if you 'like' or 'follow' me on FACEBOOK you will know about any and all upcoming events. 

 

My books are available worldwide via Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or directly from me when you email me at dnoblewrites@yahoo.com. You can also request any title from your favorite brick and mortar bookstore. 

 

                                                                             

Sometimes the Best Lessons are Learned OUTside the Classroom

 

Spending a cool, drizzly Saturday night in the barn…on a quilt…with snacks waiting for the cow to have her calf, was a lesson in life our children learned when they were still very young. Truth be told, they learned several lessons that night. The lesson on how life comes into the world, as well as lessons on maternal instinct, and lessons on the way nature has a way of telling us what we need to do, when we need to do it, and how to do it correctly. No classroom could have taught them these things the way they learned them that night (and countless times afterward).

Caring for Granny as she slid into the darkness of Alzheimer’s taught the kids and my husband and I a number of incredibly valuable lessons. Make no mistake about it—they were painful lessons to learn. But gaining the knowledge, wisdom, and understanding that came from being her caregivers, made each of us more patient, sensitive, compassionate, and cognizant of how to (and how not to) converse and interact with someone suffering from this dreadful disease. Our experience has also given us opportunities to encourage others as they care for someone they love. Again…lessons like these could never be taught in a classroom.

Just a few days ago my youngest daughter sent me a picture of ou4 three-year-old grandson watching his daddy, as Daddy led a group of young men through their final drills before graduating from the United States Marine Corps boot camp in San Diego. The regimented disciplines and rich traditions are humbly inspiring to an adult. But the look on little Johnny’s face was nothing short of pure awe and wonder. He knows full well that Daddy is a Marine, and he has witnessed a few special ceremonies in his three (almost four) short years, but nothing on this level. And he was taking it all in—lessons in respect for authority, chain of command, the value of discipline and tradition, and the reward for perseverance leading to the completion of the rigors of training that allow them to be called Marines. No classroom will ever teach Johnny these truths so impactfully.

I am not saying these things to downgrade the value of our schools. And I most certainly am not in ANY way discounting the value of our teachers. Both children and parents would be lost without them. Teachers are, to a great extent, responsible for shaping society’s next generation. But ONLY on an academic level. It is NOT a teacher’s job to raise our children. To give them a moral compass. To instill in them the qualities of character we want them to possess. To teach or impress upon them religious beliefs. These things are OUR job—yours and mine—as parents and yes, even as grandparents. And one way to teach them these things is through experiences. Experiences like the ones I just told you about.

Sharing life experiences with your children and giving them the opportunities to be both a witness and a participant in such things, is how they learn to be people of integrity and honor. These experiences are how they learn to be honest, kind, sincere, compassionate, respectful, hardworking, and so on.

So, what is school for, you ask? School is where academics are taught, and character is put into practice.

Make the effort to experience life with your children. Open the doors of opportunity for them to learn what life is about and walk through those doors with them; answering their questions, and giving them the tools they need to understand, accept, and embrace life for all it is meant to be.

 

Be Salt and Light,

Darla, aka, Momma D

Who am I?

 

I’m Darla Noble—Author and Speaker with over thirty years of experience. I am known for being a great storyteller, but not merely for the sake of telling a story. The stories I tell are a) true and b) they always have a takeaway, i.e., a life lesson meant to help you be a better version of yourself.

I’m Darla Noble—wife, mom, nanna, and a little ‘oldish’ lady who loves Jesus, her family, playing in the dirt, walking…walking…and more walking, riding bikes, hanging out with my mini-dachshund, eating popcorn, roast beef, Mexican food, reading, and watching old sitcoms.

​

What do I write? 

 

Inspirational nonfiction—Christian devotionals, books that spark the creativity in every mom and nanna’s heart, and one that breathes new life into the art of being a good neighbor and reminds you of why it matters.

​

Historical nonfiction—WWII and family memoirs.

​

Character Education & Family Fun—Books that use science and scripture to teach positive character, scavenger hunts of all kinds that are both educational and FUN, and write-in journals for tweens and teens.

 

What do I have to say and who do I say it to?

 

*WWII hands-on display and presentation based on “All My Love, George…Letters from a WWII Hero”. The presentation consists of brief reading from the book, an interactive time of Q&A, and time for participants to view and examine a variety of WWII memorabilia including George’s original letters and medals.

​

*Keepsake In The Making Classes, using the book, “Please Pass the Memories” as inspiration, the class consists of exploring and brainstorming fun, creative, and interesting ways we can use your family’s keepsakes, recipes, photos, stories, and even traditions (YIKES) to bring past, present, and future generations of your family together. Everyone needs and wants to have a sense of who and where they come from, and the Keepsake In The Making Class is the perfect way to do just that!

​

*Women’s ministry events/conferences/retreats. I offer several programs that are easily adaptable to fit your needs and timeframe. Workshops for each one are optional. Programs offered include: “Jesus and Zinnias Make Me Smile”, “Deuteronomy 6 Parenting”, “Please Pass the Memories:, “Love, Momma D; Getting to the Heart of Parenting From the Heart”, and “Sippin’ Tea With Jesus”. NOTE: I am also happy to speak on a topic/subject matter of your choosing.

​

*The Nanna Subscription—an easy, but oh, so fun mini-class which equips Nanna, Gma, Granny, Mama, Mimi, or whatever name your grandkids have for you, with EVERYTHING you need to engage and connect with your grandkids on a regular basis. No matter how young or old they are, no matter how many miles separate you, no matter how many grandkids you have, no matter…anything!

​

*Brighten the Corner Where You Are” is my newest book as well as the focus of an event I offer to individuals, community chambers of commerce, neighborhood organizations, HOAs (Home Owner Association), church groups, and anyone else interested in reviving the art of being a genuine friend and neighbor. Participants will discover (or rediscover) the value of kindness among neighbors, and of having a small circle of people you can count on and who can count on you…no matter what.

​

*Fun with science and a few illusions, “The Sneaky Banana Lesson (plus 26 more)” is a character education program for ages 5 to 15. This event is engaging, interactive, and overflows with life lessons young people relate to and that will make them want to be a little better and stand a little taller.

​

*If you don’t think it’s possible to have fun teaching math, science, verbal skills, ordering, rational thinking, and grammar, social skills, and team building, think again! “The Medium-Sized Book of Scavenger Hunts” event gets kids up and about, inside and out, talking and listening, and learning on the sly. This event is fun for classrooms, parties, family events, social gathers, team building, and lots more. NOTE: Fees for events vary. For more information, questions, or to book an event, CONTACT ME at dnoblewrites@yahoo.com, on Linkedin (Darla Noble), or on Facebook (Darla Noble).

​

Where can you find me?

I am winding down the season of speaking and book signings before the holidays, but if you 'like' or 'follow' me on FACEBOOK you will know about any and all upcoming events. 

 

My books are available worldwide via Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or directly from me when you email me at dnoblewrites@yahoo.com. You can also request any title from your favorite brick and mortar bookstore.