Learning the Basics

Recently I learned some of the simple things required to make life work when moving to a new state. It can be very embarrassing to ask questions about such things as how to get gas, getting a post office box key that works, and what it takes to make a long distance phone call. Sometimes we bungle along and eventually figure these things out through trial and error. Asking for help is usually the shortest route to accomplishment.

One morning mid last week, I drove in the company van to the post office as usual after the morning jet. It had rained the previous night and therefore had to maneuver around large puddles on the gravely roads. When I tried the new key that I bought for the company's p.o. box, it didn't work. Same problem as last week but with a different key.
 
This time I noticed the lock was pretty lose so I went to the counter to let them know. The postmaster inspected the back side of the lock and determined it was loose. After tightening the lock back into position, she took her can of WD 40 to the external side of the lock. Spraying the key with WD-40, she crammed the key into the lock. While stiff at first, the key began to easily turn the tumblers restoring the key's worth in opening the lock. A kind and thorough service she did perform.

In the early afternoon, Kotzebue Electric Association's auto repair staff members Harold and Claude came by to fix the oil leak in the van. After tightening the oil filter, there were no more drips. They also made the turn signals work. Safe driving returned to the van.

The cell phone was next on the list of fixes. As many friends and family know, I've been unable to dial out or accept calls on my Oregon cell phone. Sometimes first thing in the morning, a text message to Rick can be made before the phone stops sending or receiving. At the cell phone carrier's office the nice woman behind the counter punched some buttons, thinking it was a setting issue. When she reviewed the numbers into the address book, she said it is not necessary to use the area code when calling someone in the State of Alaska. The phone would dial out but then drop the call. After she finally fixed it, I said, "I knew you could fix it! You're the one who knows how to get any problem fixed.

Due to a change in attitude, the above changes were able to happen. Possibility thinking helped move past the above obstacles. Changing one's attitude about how things work can really produce different outcomes.