Friday, January 01, 2016
Friendship
Has the definition of friendship changed over the past 20 or so years?
Social media tells me I have many friends, but by more extroverted standards, I have approximately zero.
I don't make time to do things with people outside of family time and work. But I do keep in contact with many people and interact via social media.
Is "friend" a useful label? What name should I give to the people I like and love, but with whom I don't necesarily physcially interact?
Sunday, December 06, 2015
The advice people obviously follow
I give a lot of advice.
I hear a lot of advice.
Some of it is good.
As I (and I'm sure you, too) observe those around you, it's obvious that they got their advice somewhere else, 'cause they're entrenched in sticking to it.
I think I might have been able to reverse-engineer what some of that advice must have been...
Feel free to add yours in the comments.
I hear a lot of advice.
Some of it is good.
As I (and I'm sure you, too) observe those around you, it's obvious that they got their advice somewhere else, 'cause they're entrenched in sticking to it.
I think I might have been able to reverse-engineer what some of that advice must have been...
Feel free to add yours in the comments.
- Never allow a moment of glory to go by without a complaint.
- Always worry about all of the details.
- Avoid regular sleep patterns.
- Be your own worst critic.
- Make note of all the possible concerns, no matter how small.
- Always hold a grudge.
- Always assume.
- Always assume that decisions are made based on how they'll affect you.
Judgers
Is the world full of judgers or is it just the U.S.A.?
We seem to assign value to a lot of things; good/bad, better/worse, progress/failing, etc.
What would happen if we tried, for even just a few hours, to not assign such values to anything?
We seem to assign value to a lot of things; good/bad, better/worse, progress/failing, etc.
What would happen if we tried, for even just a few hours, to not assign such values to anything?
Tuesday, March 04, 2014
Job Hoppers
Heard this recently.
Made me think, "Gee. I guess folks are asking for recommendation letters during their first week on the job."
I'll admit; I practically do this. I request letters usually after a few months of employment; not because I always plan to leave, but in case something amazing drops in my lap.
I also had to think, "How do those folks writing the recommendation letters do it?"
I mean, the writer has only seen the worker for a short time and likely has formed opinions about the employee that are both kind and not-so-kind.
I would assume that most letter writers try to put a positive spin within the whole recommendation letter, since not doing so would reflect poorly upon them.
Assuming that this might be difficult for some people to spin, I thought I could start a helpful chart:
Made me think, "Gee. I guess folks are asking for recommendation letters during their first week on the job."
I'll admit; I practically do this. I request letters usually after a few months of employment; not because I always plan to leave, but in case something amazing drops in my lap.
I also had to think, "How do those folks writing the recommendation letters do it?"
I mean, the writer has only seen the worker for a short time and likely has formed opinions about the employee that are both kind and not-so-kind.
I would assume that most letter writers try to put a positive spin within the whole recommendation letter, since not doing so would reflect poorly upon them.
Assuming that this might be difficult for some people to spin, I thought I could start a helpful chart:
|
What you want to say.
|
What you should say.
|
|
Wastes Time.
|
Possesses a strong sense of
personal prioritizing skills.
|
|
Gossiper.
|
Regularly conveys interesting
information.
|
|
Always calls off “sick.”
|
Always concerned about the health
of the rest of the team.
|
|
Frequently complains.
|
Possesses strong self-advocacy
skills.
|
|
Is never on time.
|
Maintains a healthy work-life
balance.
|
|
Dresses unprofessionally.
|
Is comfortable sharing personal choices.
|
|
Speaks unprofessionally.
|
Helps to maintain a high level of
lightheartedness in the workplace.
|
|
Never takes work seriously.
|
(see above)
|
|
Steals supplies.
|
Redistributes supplies regularly.
|
|
Never contributes in meetings.
|
Encourages input from other staff
in meetings.
|
|
Monopolizes time in meetings.
|
Takes leadership roles in staff
meetings.
|
|
Power-hungry and manipulative.
|
Always willing to take on
leadership roles.
|
|
A doormat.
|
Always willing to support the
leadership of others.
|
Tuesday, April 09, 2013
The Other Perspective
What do you see?
A mostly white page?
A solitary black dot?
or
A white page besmirched by a black stain?
A nearly white page that only needs a dab of white paint?
or
The first mark on a page destined to be a fantastic story?
Choose to see that which gives you hope.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
My Daughter Knows Me.
Yesterday, my daughter showed me a picture of a larger person hugging a smaller person.
She had written the larger person saying, "I love you." and the little one saying "I love you, too."
I asked her if the little one was her or her brother.
She replied, "No. That's you with one of your kids at work."
She's a a very perceptive child.
Yesterday, my daughter showed me a picture of a larger person hugging a smaller person.
She had written the larger person saying, "I love you." and the little one saying "I love you, too."
I asked her if the little one was her or her brother.
She replied, "No. That's you with one of your kids at work."
She's a a very perceptive child.
Sunday, October 09, 2011
To the Mighty Oak
Oh, mighty oak...
You have dwelt in my yard for longer than I have lived.
Generations have gazed in awe at your stature,
your unyielding presence.
I, for one, am no longer impressed.
While I can agree that you are strong,
you are large,
you are unmoving,
and you provide the promise of shade in summer,
the promise of shelter in rain,
the promise of a burst of color in the dreariest of months;
I am through with you.
For you bring more struggle than joy.
You bring more worry than encouragement.
While your boughs seem mighty,
in winter I see them heaped with heavy burden.
You stand, resolutely lifting mounds of snow.
My home, next to you, feels threatened.
In any moment, the strength you display may give way,
allowing that which would have gently caressed
to careen
to cascade in a thunderous roar
upon those I love most.
Your mighty roots, though deep,
have eroded life around you.
Moss survives at you feet,
permitting the soil to sponge
to slip
and we to spill.
I fear, someday, even you to spill
as the sponge you have created
gives way.
Your leaves do shade in summer.
For a few months
from June 'til September,
I find solace in your shade;
only to look up and know that
every
leaf
will soon blanket my labor
and cause even more
from October
until
May.
I see the happy vermin
scurry in your branches.
They enjoy the nuts
you bear
which I
can not stomach.
The rodents enjoy the bounty
and then deposit the remains
in my gutters
flooding my roof
challenging the solace of my castle.
I do feel
someday soon
I will rejoice
when you are reduced
to wood
for my fire.
Oh, mighty oak...
You have dwelt in my yard for longer than I have lived.
Generations have gazed in awe at your stature,
your unyielding presence.
I, for one, am no longer impressed.
While I can agree that you are strong,
you are large,
you are unmoving,
and you provide the promise of shade in summer,
the promise of shelter in rain,
the promise of a burst of color in the dreariest of months;
I am through with you.
For you bring more struggle than joy.
You bring more worry than encouragement.
While your boughs seem mighty,
in winter I see them heaped with heavy burden.
You stand, resolutely lifting mounds of snow.
My home, next to you, feels threatened.
In any moment, the strength you display may give way,
allowing that which would have gently caressed
to careen
to cascade in a thunderous roar
upon those I love most.
Your mighty roots, though deep,
have eroded life around you.
Moss survives at you feet,
permitting the soil to sponge
to slip
and we to spill.
I fear, someday, even you to spill
as the sponge you have created
gives way.
Your leaves do shade in summer.
For a few months
from June 'til September,
I find solace in your shade;
only to look up and know that
every
leaf
will soon blanket my labor
and cause even more
from October
until
May.
I see the happy vermin
scurry in your branches.
They enjoy the nuts
you bear
which I
can not stomach.
The rodents enjoy the bounty
and then deposit the remains
in my gutters
flooding my roof
challenging the solace of my castle.
I do feel
someday soon
I will rejoice
when you are reduced
to wood
for my fire.
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Hope for the future
It's the end of July / beginning of August.
It's the time of year when, no matter where I've been, there's been uncertainty.
It's usually at this point, when I was a public school teacher, bank accounts would be running low and the first pay check for the next school year was about to be delayed by an extra week or two.
A year ago, we were unsure about whether I'd be gainfully employed or collecting unemployment. In the end, I found employment earning about the same as I might have if unemployed, but with health benefits.
Now we're at a crossroads for job opportunities. Both my wife & I have applied for some opportunities that would either increase income, increase time at home, or even both. Both of us are on edge about the prospects of change.
I've bounced thoughts around my head regarding what life would be like given the different potential changes and whether or not I could even enjoy them. I've thought a lot about "what do *really want* to be doing?" I've questioned how my job skills and talents should best be utilized; knowing that one person's "strength" is another's "weakness."
Then, I went for a walk and was reminded...
Life is not just about hope for tomorrow, but it's about experiencing joy in the gifts of the present. (Insert piles of applicable scripture, inspirational quotes, and other advice here.)
It's the end of July / beginning of August.
It's the time of year when, no matter where I've been, there's been uncertainty.
It's usually at this point, when I was a public school teacher, bank accounts would be running low and the first pay check for the next school year was about to be delayed by an extra week or two.
A year ago, we were unsure about whether I'd be gainfully employed or collecting unemployment. In the end, I found employment earning about the same as I might have if unemployed, but with health benefits.
Now we're at a crossroads for job opportunities. Both my wife & I have applied for some opportunities that would either increase income, increase time at home, or even both. Both of us are on edge about the prospects of change.
I've bounced thoughts around my head regarding what life would be like given the different potential changes and whether or not I could even enjoy them. I've thought a lot about "what do *really want* to be doing?" I've questioned how my job skills and talents should best be utilized; knowing that one person's "strength" is another's "weakness."
Then, I went for a walk and was reminded...
Life is not just about hope for tomorrow, but it's about experiencing joy in the gifts of the present. (Insert piles of applicable scripture, inspirational quotes, and other advice here.)
Tuesday, March 01, 2011
Car Insurance
I'd like to change the way my car insurance works.
I'd like a monthly fee of, perhaps, $200 with the following things covered:
Gas at most any gas station at the cost of $10 a month for however many gallons it takes to keep my car running a month.
A visit to any local fix-it-shop for regular maintenance and repairs as often a I think my car is "running funny" at a cost to me of only $20 a visit.
and
A visit to a dealership to replace my car if recommended by my fix-it guy for only 20% of the MSRP.
Seems fair when compared to health-care coverage.
I'd like to change the way my car insurance works.
I'd like a monthly fee of, perhaps, $200 with the following things covered:
Gas at most any gas station at the cost of $10 a month for however many gallons it takes to keep my car running a month.
A visit to any local fix-it-shop for regular maintenance and repairs as often a I think my car is "running funny" at a cost to me of only $20 a visit.
and
A visit to a dealership to replace my car if recommended by my fix-it guy for only 20% of the MSRP.
Seems fair when compared to health-care coverage.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
The Catnapping of Santa Claus
Once again, Twiddle O'Toe and Mrs. Twiddle O'Toe settled down and re-commenced their snoring slumber.
Within seconds of the first snores, the little girl had popped up beside the little boy's bed.
"I remember Mommy saying that the cats don't play in the Christmas Tree anymore, but they always seem to hog the bed when Mommy & Daddy are sleeping... Maybe we should try pretending to be cats in their bed..."
"Meow!" said the son.
The two siblings sauntered into their parents' room and slipped onto the mattress. Just like cats, they spun around 4 times each before finding a cozy position somewhere intermingled with their sleeping parents' feet. Then they began to purr.
After several seconds of purring, the children had calmed themselves into a deep slumber.
The night was silent.
Nothing stirred.
MEOW!!! was the next sound awakening all in the bed as the cats sprung up to announce to all that Santa had indeed arrived.
Once again, Twiddle O'Toe and Mrs. Twiddle O'Toe settled down and re-commenced their snoring slumber.
Within seconds of the first snores, the little girl had popped up beside the little boy's bed.
"I remember Mommy saying that the cats don't play in the Christmas Tree anymore, but they always seem to hog the bed when Mommy & Daddy are sleeping... Maybe we should try pretending to be cats in their bed..."
"Meow!" said the son.
The two siblings sauntered into their parents' room and slipped onto the mattress. Just like cats, they spun around 4 times each before finding a cozy position somewhere intermingled with their sleeping parents' feet. Then they began to purr.
After several seconds of purring, the children had calmed themselves into a deep slumber.
The night was silent.
Nothing stirred.
MEOW!!! was the next sound awakening all in the bed as the cats sprung up to announce to all that Santa had indeed arrived.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Cats in the Tree By The Light of the Moon
So, the son & daughter crept downstairs and toward the Christmas Tree.
They began to bat at the ornaments and tug at the lights and beads. Soon, the REAL cats in the house began to join in, chewing on the branches and tassels of the ornaments.
In a blink, the boy remembering hearing stories of cats stuck in the Christmas tree, began to stealthily climb...
"MEEeoooWWWW!" he cried as the tree came crashing to the floor...
In a blink, faster than and instant, Twiddle O'Toe was by his side, with a roar.
"YOU are NOT cats! Santa will NOT come until ALL CHILDREN are IN BED!"
"Meow...." cried the imps as they scampered each to their separate rooms...
---Last installment soon---
So, the son & daughter crept downstairs and toward the Christmas Tree.
They began to bat at the ornaments and tug at the lights and beads. Soon, the REAL cats in the house began to join in, chewing on the branches and tassels of the ornaments.
In a blink, the boy remembering hearing stories of cats stuck in the Christmas tree, began to stealthily climb...
"MEEeoooWWWW!" he cried as the tree came crashing to the floor...
In a blink, faster than and instant, Twiddle O'Toe was by his side, with a roar.
"YOU are NOT cats! Santa will NOT come until ALL CHILDREN are IN BED!"
"Meow...." cried the imps as they scampered each to their separate rooms...
---Last installment soon---
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Christmas Cats
The boy & girl crept downstairs.
The daughter turned to the son and asked, "So, what do you think the cats do at night? It's pretty dark down here..."
The son said, "Meoway Mechase Meowice!"
The daughter said, "You're right! Cats chase mice! Let's play like we're cats that can see so well in the dark and chase the mice..."
Immediately, the boy scurried across the room, knocking over a lamp and running smack into a wall... "WeeeMeoooww!!!"
Twiddle O'Toe and his wife instantly appeared, turning on the lights at the top of the stairs.
"WHAT are you doing?!" blasted Mrs. Twiddle O'Toe...
"Meowasing Meowice!"
"Your father is a fool. Santa will not come if he knows the cats are playing OR if THERE ARE CHILDREN PRETENDING to be CATS! Go BACK to BED!"
"Meo MeoKay..." sighed the boy.
"Yes, mommy." said the girl and the all tumbled back up the stairs and into their beds.
Once again, the sounds of Twiddle O'Toes' snoring roared through the house, accompanied by the slightly less loud wheezing of Mrs. Twiddle O'Toe.
As the daughter began drifting off to sleep, a small boy jumped up on her bed with a "Meow...?"
Daughter sat up, and said, "You're right. OUR cats don't chase mice. We don't have mice in our house. Our cats like to play with the Christmas Tree at night while we're sleeping!...."
...to be continued...
The boy & girl crept downstairs.
The daughter turned to the son and asked, "So, what do you think the cats do at night? It's pretty dark down here..."
The son said, "Meoway Mechase Meowice!"
The daughter said, "You're right! Cats chase mice! Let's play like we're cats that can see so well in the dark and chase the mice..."
Immediately, the boy scurried across the room, knocking over a lamp and running smack into a wall... "WeeeMeoooww!!!"
Twiddle O'Toe and his wife instantly appeared, turning on the lights at the top of the stairs.
"WHAT are you doing?!" blasted Mrs. Twiddle O'Toe...
"Meowasing Meowice!"
"Your father is a fool. Santa will not come if he knows the cats are playing OR if THERE ARE CHILDREN PRETENDING to be CATS! Go BACK to BED!"
"Meo MeoKay..." sighed the boy.
"Yes, mommy." said the girl and the all tumbled back up the stairs and into their beds.
Once again, the sounds of Twiddle O'Toes' snoring roared through the house, accompanied by the slightly less loud wheezing of Mrs. Twiddle O'Toe.
As the daughter began drifting off to sleep, a small boy jumped up on her bed with a "Meow...?"
Daughter sat up, and said, "You're right. OUR cats don't chase mice. We don't have mice in our house. Our cats like to play with the Christmas Tree at night while we're sleeping!...."
...to be continued...
Wednesday, December 08, 2010
Twiddle O'Toe's Night Before Christmas
Twiddle O'Toe & his wife & their daughter & son had decorated & prepared the house for the Christmas Day. Everything was all decorated. The tree was up; lights aglow. It was Christmas Eve...
Twiddle O'Toe sternly warned the children, "Santa will not come until he knows EVERYONE in the house is asleep..."
The daughter asked, "What about the cats? Do they need to be sleeping when Santa comes?"
Twiddle O'Toe replies, "Santa doesn't worry about cats being awake. They can't give away the secrets of how he works his magic..."
That night they all turned in to go to sleep. Soon, Twiddle O'Toe's snore could be heard through the house.
The daughter crept over to the sons room and woke him up, "If we PRETEND we're cats, maybe Santa will think we're cats and he won't mind if we watch him do his Christmas Eve magic!" To which the son replied, "Meow!"
-----tune in in a few days for the rest of the story..._
Twiddle O'Toe & his wife & their daughter & son had decorated & prepared the house for the Christmas Day. Everything was all decorated. The tree was up; lights aglow. It was Christmas Eve...
Twiddle O'Toe sternly warned the children, "Santa will not come until he knows EVERYONE in the house is asleep..."
The daughter asked, "What about the cats? Do they need to be sleeping when Santa comes?"
Twiddle O'Toe replies, "Santa doesn't worry about cats being awake. They can't give away the secrets of how he works his magic..."
That night they all turned in to go to sleep. Soon, Twiddle O'Toe's snore could be heard through the house.
The daughter crept over to the sons room and woke him up, "If we PRETEND we're cats, maybe Santa will think we're cats and he won't mind if we watch him do his Christmas Eve magic!" To which the son replied, "Meow!"
-----tune in in a few days for the rest of the story..._
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Tuesday, June 01, 2010
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Potential Life Lessons From a Bike Ride
(and #LyricsForYouToSteal)
If you're coasting, you're going downhill.
Don't stop working for to conquer the next hill.
Focus on the small steps & what you've conquered. Focusing on the mountains is too daunting.
Crows, one of natures nastiest singers, never seem to doubt their meaning & purpose.
(and #LyricsForYouToSteal)
If you're coasting, you're going downhill.
Don't stop working for to conquer the next hill.
Focus on the small steps & what you've conquered. Focusing on the mountains is too daunting.
Crows, one of natures nastiest singers, never seem to doubt their meaning & purpose.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Being Daddy
I've had a lot more time to just be a Daddy. Being a Daddy, I'm reconnecting to a lot of lost lessons about how a Heavenly Father must feel.
* Kids will often pretend there are dangers (lava flows, etc) that they have to leap over. It's pretend, but they'll let it govern their play to the point that they'll drive themselves to tears when they get "stuck." The lesson should be obvious here.
* Kids will do imaginary play side-by-side. At times when their imaginary worlds conflict, great fights will arise because each is convinced that THEIR imaginary world is MUCH more real and important than the other's. Reminds me a lot of when we argued about what "worship" is.
* Often Daddy's greatest joy comes from just watching their children at play, happy and safe.
* My children will often try to give me choices about what I should allow them to do. They see no irony to this because we give them similar choices all of the time. How often do we pray, "God if you could *just* do this OR this, I'm sure I would be happy and safe."
* Parents see much more of the forest than the child will see. God is even bigger.
I need to remind myself that the goal of a good parent is to see their children grow up safe, secure, & happy/content. Why would God be hoping for anything less?
I've had a lot more time to just be a Daddy. Being a Daddy, I'm reconnecting to a lot of lost lessons about how a Heavenly Father must feel.
* Kids will often pretend there are dangers (lava flows, etc) that they have to leap over. It's pretend, but they'll let it govern their play to the point that they'll drive themselves to tears when they get "stuck." The lesson should be obvious here.
* Kids will do imaginary play side-by-side. At times when their imaginary worlds conflict, great fights will arise because each is convinced that THEIR imaginary world is MUCH more real and important than the other's. Reminds me a lot of when we argued about what "worship" is.
* Often Daddy's greatest joy comes from just watching their children at play, happy and safe.
* My children will often try to give me choices about what I should allow them to do. They see no irony to this because we give them similar choices all of the time. How often do we pray, "God if you could *just* do this OR this, I'm sure I would be happy and safe."
* Parents see much more of the forest than the child will see. God is even bigger.
I need to remind myself that the goal of a good parent is to see their children grow up safe, secure, & happy/content. Why would God be hoping for anything less?
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Dreams
Realized yesterday that I've been sleeping without medication or interruption fairly consistently. Haven't been blessed with that since August. It feels good.
Also means some dreams have been longer and more interesting.
Last night I had a dream that was fantastic. It had plot twists and a surprise ending. I really should've written some of it down, 'cause now I can't remember what happened.
I'm sure it would've rivaled "Lost."
Realized yesterday that I've been sleeping without medication or interruption fairly consistently. Haven't been blessed with that since August. It feels good.
Also means some dreams have been longer and more interesting.
Last night I had a dream that was fantastic. It had plot twists and a surprise ending. I really should've written some of it down, 'cause now I can't remember what happened.
I'm sure it would've rivaled "Lost."
