It's Universal!

There are many things in life that are universal and many things that can be controlled or handled with some universal item or idea. How often do we purchase a television or a DVD player and then down the line our remote either breaks or gets lost? It has happened to me more times than I care to count. If you go on the internet or call the manufacturer you can order a replacement remote in most cases. The cost to do so is where a lot of people have a problem. Thankfully, inventors and manufacturers around the world chose to throw their hat in the ring in this area of damaged or missing remote control devices. They came up with ones that are universal, meaning they will work on hundreds of televisions, DVD players, stereo systems and cable boxes and have priced these replacement remotes at bargain prices. Whew, that is great news! Sure you have to take a little time to find the correct IR code and program the new remote, but what you are saving on the price of a factory one is well worth that time invested.

Beyond universal remotes, I can think of several other things that are universally recognized the world over. Can you think of any? Everyone has heard music of some type no matter if you live in the middle of Nashville or in the deepest remote jungle. It may not be current music by industry standards, but even tribal singing and chanting is music in its own right. I have yet to meet anyone who is not affected in some way by the sound of music. I have my favorite types of music that make my heart leap for joy, bring tears to my face and even whisk  me off to some magical place far from reason. There are styles of music though that I really don't care for. I can appreciate almost any form of music, having come from a musical background. Some I question as to why on Earth was THIS put together while others simply make sense from the first few measures. Music is international. It may even be interstellar. Music makes a person emote in one way or the other.  Music can calm, intercede or even elevate emotions of anger and drive men into battle. On the flip side, there have been studies that indicate that even animals and certain organic plants benefit from different types of musical input. Fascinating!

In my mind there are a couple of other things that are universal. Certain road signs and symbols are used worldwide and nearly anyone who has seen one somewhere will be able to recognize it elsewhere. Some of these signs could be signage for a restroom, a boat ramp, a camping area. Others might be symbols of danger, bio-hazard or the typical NO sign. No matter where we travel throughout our life's journey, signs and symbols are all around us. It is a good thing, in my opinion, that there is not a learning curve dependent on where you are geographically.

Yep, remotes, music and signs can be universal. There are two other things that have come to mind that are on a more directly related human note. What are they? Picture this. You walk into a room of people you know. Your friends and family there are happy to see you. So, what do they do to let you know that? What universal sign do they give you to assure you that you are welcomed and loved? A simple smile is that sign. Even among strangers, once one person shares a smile it is contagious. Everyone in the world knows what a smile is and what it means. Smiles can bring joy, peace, comfort, giddiness and laughter. Smiles can also convey sympathy, acceptance and intimacy. They are universally recognized. I heard a saying years ago, and though I have no clue where the saying came from, it holds true. It goes like this. "Smile and people will wonder what you are up to." Funny, but in our human nature it is true. There are those people we all know, that when they bust out a smile you automatically think that they are up to no good. Others, you just know they are up to nothing BUT good. There is something in a smile that makes me happy, gives me hope and eases my mind. For that I am thankful.

 In life, it is important to be happy. Happiness in who you are, what you are doing and happiness in different situations is really a gift. It does takes work. I think for me, a smile is a great indicator of kindness and that in turn encourages me to be happy. Your life choices once again are also important variables playing a big role in our happiness. Okay, so we know that remote controls, music, signs and smiles are all universal. In the grain of happiness, there is one last thing I want to throw your way. People can help make you happy. Through their smiles and kindness you can feel good intention. Animals, dogs in particular, also do the exact same thing. Maybe they can't really smile in the way that we can but they have unique universal ways of showing you that they truly care. If you have never been licked by a dog you are missing out. When you define love, there are many different ways to describe it. The type of love a dog can offer is most closely related to agape love. This is an unconditional, forgiving all kind of love. With the wagging of a tail and the nuzzling of a wet nose, a dog can totally transform your attitude. You come home from work and you have had a horrible day, your car had issues, your kids are going buck wild and your dog, well, he knows that you have had it. Within a few minutes, if you let him, he will give you all the therapy you need to turn your day around. Oh, if we were more like dogs. Even when they are abused or neglected, within them still is a desire to show love and to please.

When God made dogs, I think he went above and beyond. Granted other animals and pets can transform you as well, but there is something to the adage, man's best friend. People from all four corners of the globe spend time and money seeing therapists and psychologists to help them cope with their problems. This has been going on for centuries. I know there are honest to God times when only this type of intervention will help but I also know that there is a lot of free, genuine therapy in the heart of a pet too. This last picture I want to share, I think really sums this last point up perfectly.

No matter what you face in your travels, whether you are needing to replace your TV remote, you are looking for the right sign to get you where you need to go, you are needing a soothing song, or even someone to offer up a smile, be thankful that these things are out there to help you get by. Our day to day can be a challenge. There is no easy road for sure. But there are these amazing tools, ideas, gestures of help and hope that can most assuredly get us to another day. Enjoy the view, smell some roses and lavish some loving by your pet and you will be just fine.