#497: Exciting News and Creative Thinking

Interesting evening after getting a call from a reporter for our local Orlando Sentinel newspaper who wants to do an article about a highway safety video I produced and which many of you have seen. blutube.policeone.com/Me
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I'll post when the article comes out and the Sentinel's site. Thank you for watching.

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As I put cans of dog food on the conveyor belt at the grocery store this afternoon, the cashier remarked on one can that was dented on top and wondered how I'd get the can open. Simple, I told her, I'll open the other end.

Many times in life we are faced with a problem that at first glance poses immense hurdles. But if we learn to think creatively we can overcome most of these difficulties.

Many years ago I was in a motel and ordered dinner from room service. When it arrived there was no fork or spoon with which to eat. Rather than calling the kitchen back and having someone make another trip, I broke one of the plastic drinking glasses the motel provided and used a wedge-shaped piece as a spoon.

Creative thinking again.

When you're faced with one of life's problems how do you respond?

Ever used a clothes hanger to unlock your car after locking your keys inside? That's creative thinking! How about using a knife as a screwdriver? Or using an ordinary white handkerchief on the end of a pole to signify surrender? Or as a blindfold for Pin the Tail on the Donkey game? Or as a mask when breathing?

More creative thinking.

Relate this way of seeing things to our weight loss efforts and what do we get? Can't cook elaborate meals (like me)? Try combinations of easy to use foods such as pineapple in cottage cheese or frozen grapes, a juicy, cool summertime treat. The old standby of slicing a banana on cereal adds a fruit to breakfast. Tired of regular bologna sandwiches? Try frying the bologna for a different taste. You get the idea. Be creative. Try different combinations.

As for exercising, bored walking the same neighborhood? Next time try counting all the trees along your route or the number of cars you see. Have a hard time getting around? Do leg lifts while seated, arm raises while holding cans of food, or knee bends while holding a box of kitty litter. Be creative and shake up your routines.

Just don't try the chocolate syrup and mayonnaise sandwich I made once when I was about 10. Creativity is fine but that was downright awful. But I tried.

So the next time you're bored with your situation, remember the dented can of dog food and look for alternatives. Like getting from one side of a mountain to another -- climb over it, make a tunnel through it, go around it, dig under it.

Above all, don't be stymied by stale thinking.