Monday, July 20, 2009

asdfghjkl;

Anyone recognize the title? In case you didn't, those are the letters of the home row on the qwerty keyboard. Those who type correctly keep their fingers on those letters and move them around as needed. My elementary school had typing class since 3rd grade (I think), so I learned to type correctly.

This method of typing is supposed to improve speed and accuracy because the typist doesn't have to actually look at the keyboard in order to type. Things get interesting, however, when the typist doesn't look where she puts her fingers. Do you know how many times I've started typing, only to realize a few words later that they came out all wrong. For example, I tried to type Musing Maidel, and it came out z,idomh z,sfor;? or j8w8ht jq8e3o? If you accidentally shift your hands one inch to the left or to the top of the keyboard, you're going to get gibberish.

The inventor of the modern keyboard was actually very smart. I don't know how many of you noticed, but on the f and j keys, where the index fingers of the left and right hands, respectively, are supposed to go, there's a little something sticking up to let your fingers find their proper place. But, as I've said, I still sometimes make mistakes.

It struck me today (after this happened yet again) that there is profound meaning to this. We see life through the myopic lens of our mortality. The picture it makes is confusing and unclear, and there's so much we can't understand, now or anytime in this world. So much pain and tragedy. So much agony. It's hard to keep faith.

But, if we notice the little marks on the keyboard, the little pointers Hashem gives us, we'll be able to look at life from the right perspective. If we look around with our fingers on the right keys, with the right views and hashkafos, life becomes meaningful.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

That is actually a really good mashal.

Staying Afloat said...

I agree. I like how it shows that going through the motions without being correctly positioned is life makes nonsense.

ck said...

wow i really like the mashal! yes i know that we all have a myopic view of life but it is easy to forget. we constantly need reminders. Thank you:)

itsagift said...

Wow! What a great lesson!

Anonymous said...

There's a blog you will probably like...it's called: inspirationalinformation [dot] blogspot [dot] com
Enjoy!

Melissa said...

I wanted to thank you for writing me.

Your words really meant a lot to me.

You are a very creative writer.

I look forward to getting to know you better.

Melissa

Melissa said...

Also,

Do you know how I can reach CK?

CK left me a lovely comment and I am unable to respond back to them.

Thank you.

Melissa

MusingMaidel said...

Melissa - I don't want to post her email address online. Email me (musingmaidel@gmail.com), and I'll send you her email address.

itsagift said...

I just noticed that you can also find this on the number keypad which helps when you text using T9! There are two dots on the number 5 so that you know where the middle number is so you can text without looking! :) Try it out!

thinking out loud said...

wow. very profound. thanx for sharing!

Jewish Side of Babysitter said...

Beautiful Moshul!

%Shocked% said...

Beautifully said! A very fitting mashal and it was a really great read coming right after Rosh Hashanah! Thanks!

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