Nobody listens to me

Having high-tech devices means that every now and then something will malfunction and the device needs to be taken for technical evaluation. The other day I experienced something unusual with my iPhone that I didn’t know how to troubleshoot, so I took it to an Apple store in the mall.

The techs there were very friendly, interested and helpful, as always. I explained the situation to the greeter tech; he took notes in his device, told me to have a seat, and promised that a diagnostician would be with me shortly. In just a couple of minutes “Minda” came over, read through the entry on her device posted by the greeter tech, and asked me to tell her more. She took my phone, inserted a cable, and began running diagnostics.

We chatted more about how I use the phone, when, how much time used every day, etc. Minda said, “I’m running some software right now and it doesn’t look like there’s any big problem showing up on these diagnostics. Do you use the directions function?”

I said, ”I’ve used the phone for directions a few times when I was walking downtown, but I have a Garman GPS unit in the car and use that all the time.”

“They missed an opportunity,” Minda responded. “Why didn’t they call that a Carman?” I clapped at that one and told her she had a great idea – she could make millions.

Minda sighed and said, “I get ideas like that all the time but nobody ever listens to me. If it was about money, yes, I guess I could make some, thanks to my creativity. For me, though, it’s more about accomplishment and feeling fulfilled.”

We talked a little more and she told me that she’s in college majoring in business. Someday she wants to own her own computer service since she’s talented at all-things-computer and enjoys helping others.

I said, “Minda, believe in yourself. You’ve obviously got lots to offer. Keep up your creativity. Especially now during Thanksgiving time, just think how blessed you are and how much you have to be thankful for. With your attitude you’ll go Far-man.”

[Sr. Nancy Linenkugel is a Sylvania Franciscan sister and chair of the department of Health Services Administration at Xavier University, Cincinnati, Ohio.]