50+ Lifestyles

I Have An Idea . . .

By David W. Deuth, CFSP
President, Weerts Funeral Home

“I have an idea…”

How many times have we all said this – or thought it – or heard someone else say it?

Ideas are the spark that creates the momentum of thoughtful energy which, in turn, becomes the fuel that sustains forward progress. Indeed, ideas are doubtless at the heart and soul of the powerful engine that drives the entrepreneurial spirit that has made this country great!

It all starts when we’re young, doesn’t it? Our parents, seasoned with the wisdom of years and life experience, tell us things like, “it’s not a good idea” to stick our tongue on the flagpole during the coldest days of winter. Some of us seem to insist upon learning things the hard way . . . after which we look back and say, “Man, that was a bad idea!”

Conversely, some things we know to be good ideas are somewhat instinctively resisted by our human nature, as in: “It would be a good idea to get your homework done while it’s raining outside so you can play Kick the Can with your friends later, when it’s nicer outside.” Many of you were probably just like me, going to extraordinary measures to avoid the homework while it was raining outside, only to be forced to watch my friends play Kick the Can later, while I was inside doing the homework. My parents were right about this, too (sigh). Turns out it was a good idea to get my homework done while it was raining . . . if only I would have acted on that good idea.

I suppose it would be great if everyone had only good ideas; our human condition and the law of large numbers assures us that this is not so. Even so, it’s probably worth noting that when we do take the time to think though situations and suppose different possible scenarios and outcomes, we actually force ourselves to become better “thinkers,” which can, in turn, exercise our minds to yield better ideas.

It’s also probably fair to say that some ideas (and possible solutions to situations and circumstances) which aren’t deemed “good” can actually become an inspiration that stretches our minds and imaginations to think outside the proverbial box and consider new ways of thinking which just might yield new, good ideas. Critical thinking expands our thought processes which expands our mind which opens new doors to new ideas. Hate to say it here, but…you get the idea.

Eleanor Roosevelt is known to have had something to say about this from another angle, in one of her more often-
quoted statements that may be familiar to many readers:

“Great minds discuss ideas;
Average minds discuss events;
Small minds discuss people.”

What a convicting statement! If we’re honest, we all probably spend more time discussing people and events and things than we do discussing ideas and solutions. And if ideas are the nutrition, so to speak, that causes our minds to stretch and
thus to grow, it seems that some course correction may be
“a good idea”!

As I write this, it’s actually raining outside – so I think I’ll get my homework done while it’s raining.
I heard that’s a good idea . . .
Remember Well.

David W. Deuth, CFSP, is a funeral director and the owner of Weerts Funeral Home in Davenport and RiverBend Cremation/Quad Cities Pet Cremation in Bettendorf. He can be reached at (563) 424.7055 or by email at Dave@WeertsFH.com.