THREW Mikes EyEz

Original Writings, Images, Video and Artworks of Mike Hartley

Tag Archives: skills


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Underrated LS

What’s the most underrated life skill? – Asks the daily prompt.

This is a tough one; I’m torn between 3 of them. Decision Making – Problem Solving and even though I don’t see this on many lists I’ll add Common Sense.

I was going to say Empathy and Compassion, but a large segment of the population has ditched this ability.

Here are a couple of underrated life skills some might not think of and some of my personal favorites off the top of my head this morning.

I’m glad I grew up thinking without the help of the internet. It taught me to not give up and find the answers myself.

Coping with loss is a unique life skill I haven’t mastered yet.

Knowing your circuit breaker panel.

Being married to the same person all your life and being happy. Well, most of the time at least.

Being a good driver is an underrated skill. It’s kept me alive hundreds of times.

Knowing that your friends know that you can be counted on.

Listening to doctors instead of politicians.

Having the courage and drive to not give up and pursue your dreams.

Swinging a hammer without hitting fingers.

Having a great memory is so important.

Go ahead and be outspoken, most don’t have the courage to say what is on their mind and they need a voice.

Knowing where the flashlight is when the power goes out.

Don’t go through life without having cut loose a few times.

Being able to create an image, story, painting, song, film. engine or anything creative and beautiful is an underrated skill.

A group of mechanics working on a yellow race car in a garage, focused on the engine area. Several individuals in black and yellow team uniforms are gathered around the vehicle, with tools and equipment visible in the background.
Pit crew – skills combined and multiplied. Photo by Mike Hartley


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Skills

What’s a skill you consider basic, that most people don’t actually know how to do? – Interesting ask by the daily prompt.

Oh wow, that is one you have to ponder on for a few seconds.

The first that popped to mind is one of my passions. Driving a stick shift (manual gearbox) vehicle. Which led to another observation. People don’t know how to drive.

Okay enough car talk.

Being older I had to work through problems without the aid of the internet to help. So, I guess my first instinct is to try to find a solution to the problem instead of just giving up like a lot of people do now.

This credit card society has made cashiers poor with math apparently. Pay in cash and get ready to observe someone struggling to make the correct change owed to you.

How to get to the truth seems to be a skill that lots are lacking these days.

Apparently, the ability to not be without your smartphone is something so many are afflicted with.

I’m guessing most couldn’t fix a flat tire or change their oil and filter.

When to talk, and when to listen is becoming a lost art.

Again, having grown up without most of today’s technology, memorization was a very important skill. I bet most people couldn’t tell you the phone numbers of their most frequent contacts. We used to remember hundreds.

Manors and common courtesy seem to be going out of style also.

A circular sticker on a car window featuring the text 'THE MANUAL GEARBOX PRESERVATION SOCIETY' along with a gear shift pattern and the numbers 'R135 4H 246'.
Photo by Mike Hartley


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Skill

The daily prompt asks – If you could instantly master any skill, what would it be and why?

I’ve always wanted to know either how to play drums or piano. I just have an interest in those instruments. And to have mastered that and be able to create music all day would be wonderful.

Close-up of a drum with 'THE BEATLES' printed on it, displayed in a shop window.
Drum set in window of Bill’s Music in Catonsville. Photo by Mike Hartley


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Skillz

What’s a secret skill or ability you have or wish you had? – An introspective question from the daily writing prompt.

I had to think for a few minutes, if I had a secret skill or ability, I hadn’t shared with anyone. Not that I have many skills or abilities to start with. What’s the old saying “jack of all trades, master of none.”

Time will tell if it is a skill or ability, but I haven’t shared my drawings yet and might not for a good while. Those judgements of skill and ability are always in the eye of the beholder. As long as I’m happy with them, that’s all that matters.

Wouldn’t it be nice to have the skill to bring peace to the world.

I wish I had the ability to make people laugh as easily as Robin William did.

Photo by Mike Hartley

Other answer to the question here