My attention was once drawn to the words “busy body” and “busybody”. At first sight, most might think, “So? What’s the difference?”
Allow me to enlighten you, Dear Reader. A “busy body” (two words) is someone who is productive. Such a person is constantly working toward something productive. Such a person would be in line with the mission of this publication—“At Historic Union County Newspaper, our mission is to spread the good news, reflect the values of the Christian faith and uplift the community. We strive to inspire and inform through positive stories and glorify God in all we do.”
The old Family Channel that was on cable when bought my first Comcast subscription (for around $25 per month in 1991) had a slogan—“Accentuate the Positive, Eliminate the Negative, Tune in to the Affirmative.”
A man once said as he walked into work, “This is going to be a rotten day.” A coworker told the man he needed to be positive. He replied, “I am positive. I’m positive that today is going to be rotten.”
Much used to be said in the educational world about the “self-fulfilling prophecy.” In a nutshell, this meant that if a teacher thought a child was going to be a problem that the child would indeed be a problem. On the other hand, if a teacher thought even a potentially difficult child might be a success, the chances were much greater that the child would succeed.
I remember a former student of mine once telling me that I was a “big influence” in his life. That particular former student has been in and out of incarceration for most of his adult life. I wonder what was my particular influence.
I do remember when I had that student in my class. He was dreaded all the way up and down the hallway for his anticipated misdeeds. I was practically flat-out told he would be in my class, and though I had some trepidation, I accepted the challenge (it didn’t seem I had an alternative).
The boy turned out to be one of my favorites. Not for his academic ability, because he didn’t put it to much use. Not for his perfect behavior, for he tried every way he could to get away with anything he could. It was because of his personality. The little fellow was a charmer. He was like a thief on an episode of In the Heat of the Night, “He could sell a hot stove.” It became almost a game to stay one step ahead of him. That is why his desk sat directly in front of mine, so I could keep a watchful eye.
I remember one particular day the boy decided to chew tobacco in class. Aside from the obvious bulge in his cheek, his movements gave him away. He would get up two or three times to sharpen the pencil that he rarely used in class (I’d say he didn’t write enough to use up one entire pencil in an entire school year). Then it seemed he was powerfully thirsty, taking four or five trips to the water fountain, though the air conditioning was working well and it wasn’t hot in the classroom. Finally, I caught him spitting in the trash can.
The next time he started to get up, I said, “Eh, eh, eh—you’ve run around enough. Sit down.”
The next attempt, “What part of ‘sit down’ don’t you understand? Down, boy!”
Yet another attempt. I just snapped my fingers and pointed. He slunk back into his seat.
One more effort. The poor boy was beginning to turn a little “green (literally) around the gills”. All it took this time was a look, and back down he went.
Finally, when I was sure my point was made, I took the class to the bathroom before the poor boy could get sick and throw up.
You can be “positive”, that student never chewed tobacco in my class again.
Or did he?
Next week I will discuss the term “busybody”. Until then, Dear Reader, if you must, chew gum, not tobacco. It’s undoubtedly safer and cheaper.

ANSWER TO QUESTION OF THE WEEK # 59
What is the most common personality trait of tight rope walkers? (ANSWER: They’re very high strung.)

QUESTION OF THE WEEK # 60
A group of artists were having a contest. How did they decide who would go first? (See next week’s article in historicunioncounty.com for the answer.)

FROM THE EMAIL WORLD
A detective found a pocket watch at the train station. He asked his assistant, “What does this tell you?” The assistant looked at the watch and said, “It has fine engraving and seems to have the initials ‘J. L.’ It must have belonged to someone very wealthy,” the assistant concluded. “What does it tell you?” The detective answered, “We missed our train.”

The older I get, the more I understand why roosters scream to start their day.

I woke up this morning determined to drink less, eat right, and exercise. But that was four hours ago when I was younger and full of hope.

What did the optimist say when he broke his finger? (I broke my finger last week. On the other hand, I’m okay.)