diff --git a/__init__.py b/__init__.py
index 5b26d34..2fe8546 100644
--- a/__init__.py
+++ b/__init__.py
@@ -9,6 +9,8 @@ This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT ANY
 You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 """
 
+from time import sleep
+
 
 class lcdMenu:
     # lcd:               I2C_LCD - an object of the I2C_LCD class (https://git.privacynerd.de/BlueFox/micropython-libraries/src/branch/main/PCF8574T)
@@ -22,7 +24,9 @@ class lcdMenu:
     # hide_menu_name:    bool    - OPTIONAL - if true, hide the menu's name (won't work in combination with a vertical scrolling direction)
     # name:              str     - OPTIONAL - a string with the name of the menu (can be hidden under certain circumstances)
     # default_selection: int     - OPTIONAL - the index of the item selected by default (starting with 0) - DON'T USE NEGATIVE INDEXES
-    def __init__(self, lcd, buttons: dict, menu_items: list, scroll_direction: bool, cycle: bool, hide_menu_name: bool = False, name: str = "CHOOSE", default_selection: int = 0):
+    # debounce_time:     float   - OPTIONAL - the debounce time used by the library to debounce button presses
+    def __init__(self, lcd, buttons: dict, menu_items: list, scroll_direction: bool, cycle: bool, hide_menu_name: bool = False, name: str = "CHOOSE", default_selection: int = 0, debounce_time: float = 0.15):
+        # save the argument variables
         self.lcd = lcd
         if "prev_btn" in buttons.keys():
             self.prev_btn = buttons["prev_btn"]
@@ -36,6 +40,14 @@ class lcdMenu:
         self.hide_menu_name = hide_menu_name
         self.name = name
         self.current_selection = default_selection
+        self.debounce_time = debounce_time
+        
+        # variables that are very unlikely the user want's to set them (but can be set via <lcdMenuObject>.<attribute_name>, of course)
+        self.start_execution_msg = "Selected..."  # the string displayed when an menu item is selected
+        self.end_execution_msg = "Closing..."  # the string displayed when the callback function of a selected menu item returns        self.end_execution_wait = 1  # the time (in seconds) to wait after the callback function of a selected menu item returns
+        self.start_execution_wait = 0.5  # the time (in seconds) to wait before the callback function of a selected menu item is called
+        self.end_execution_wait = 1  # the time (in seconds) to wait after the callback function of a selected menu item returns
+        self.fill_char = '-'  # the character used to fill up space (used only on 4x20 displays); MUST BE 1 character long
     
     
     def show_selection(self):
@@ -48,6 +60,7 @@ class lcdMenu:
             pass
         else: # if vertical scrolling is activated
             pass
+        print(self.current_selection)
     
     
     def previous_selection(self):
@@ -69,10 +82,51 @@ class lcdMenu:
     
     
     def execute_selection(self):
-        self.menu_items[self.current_selection][1]()
+        selection = self.menu_items[self.current_selection]
+        lw = self.lcd.num_columns
+        
+        # if the program executed had no display (so the user notices something happens!)
+        self.lcd.move_to(0,0)
+        if self.lcd.num_lines == 4:
+            self.lcd.putstr(f"{self.fill_char*lw}{' '*lw*2}{self.fill_char*lw}")  # fill the first and last line with 'fill_char's
+            self.lcd.move_to(0,1)  # move to the second line for the starting message below (takes two lines)
+        self.lcd.putstr(f"[{selection[0][0:lw].center(lw-2)}]{self.start_execution_msg[0:lw].center(lw)}")
+        sleep(self.start_execution_wait)  # wait some time before execution (so that the text can be read)
+        
+        # run the program
+        return_value = selection[1]()
+        
+        # show a exit when there's no specific return value
+        if not return_value:  # if the return value is None / nothing was returned
+            while self.ok_btn.value() == 1: time.sleep(self.debounce_time)  # wait till ok_btn release (e.g. if the "program" is a simple send action)
+            self.lcd.move_to(0,0)
+            if self.lcd.num_lines == 4:
+                self.lcd.putstr(f"{self.fill_char*lw}{' '*lw*2}{self.fill_char*lw}")  # fill the first and last line with 'fill_char's
+                self.lcd.move_to(0,1)  # move to the second line for the starting message below (takes two lines)
+            self.lcd.putstr(f"[{selection[0][0:lw].center(lw-2)}]{self.end_execution_msg[0:lw].center(lw)}")
+            sleep(self.end_execution_wait)
     
     
+    # listen for button presses (this method should be called in an endless loop, see method run)
+    def loop(self):
+        if self.prev_btn:
+            if self.prev_btn.value() == 1:
+                self.previous_selection()
+                self.show_selection()
+                while self.prev_btn.value() == 1: sleep(self.debounce_time)  # wait till release
+        if self.next_btn.value() == 1:
+            self.next_selection()
+            self.show_selection()
+            while self.next_btn.value() == 1: sleep(self.debounce_time) # wait till release
+        if self.ok_btn.value() == 1:
+            while self.ok_btn.value() == 1: sleep(self.debounce_time) # wait till release
+            self.execute_selection()
+        
+        
     def run(self):
-        # TODO: add btn handlers and the actual process
-        pass
-
+        # show the selection first
+        self.show_selection()
+        
+        # then listen on button presses in a loop...
+        while True:
+            self.loop()