My co worker resigned. I'm in a bit of a funk. It was very strange, but then, these types of things usually are. I must start over in a way.
There have been signs and symbols in my life lately that have indicated change. Maybe it's time to change.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Friday, March 23, 2012
Work life and life life
One thing all my heartache about my career taught me that work is work. It is fun to work, and it's a delight to have a job you actually like, but it's just a job. You've got to have integrity in yourself to survive in this world.
I'm really glad I'm a beloved child of God. There have been times when that's just about the only thing that keeps me hanging on.
The reason for these morose thoughts about professional life is that I think my best friend at work is going to quit or be fired. At least that's what she says. She has had a difficult time these past few months. She and the boss don't mesh well. I think it's an oil and vinegar problem - they see the world differently and have a lot of trouble communicating. Now, I think the boss has made up her mind that my friend is not doing her job and when you have that predisposition, everything you see supports your position.
Me? I don't know whether she's doing her job. She's not goofing off, she's making every effort to "improve," and she is really trying to do the right thing. But sometimes despite the best efforts, it just doesn't work.
Even if you're smart and even if you try, sometimes you find yourself in situations where you can't win.
We expected the news to be let out today, but it didn't. I don't really know what's going to happen. My friend did not come to work today, but there were no announcements.
It all might make sense to me if I didn't like the job, but the fact is I rather like what I do, and I'm doing well in the job - I get compliments and encouragement. This whole situation is just stressful and so unnecessary.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Gardening season is coming
This year, I took my idea for a charity garden to my church. There's a small ministry group within the church that supports Christian causes of peace, justice and the environment. At a meeting in January, I pitched my idea for a garden to grow fresh vegetables for a local food pantry.
They loved it! The group is supporting the project! So, Grace Garden is born.
It appealed to the group because it is an organic garden (good for the environment) and it is supporting the local community garden (a good social program). We are improving the food security of the community (social justice) with high quality product, healthier than canned vegetables or processed food they usually get at food pantries. I can only pray that the veggies do good, that they are given to people who know how to prepare fresh vegetables, and given to people will enjoy having fresh vegetables and fruit. I imagine it feels pretty lousy to have to turn down food you know is better for you, because you have to pick cheaper things.
I share the leadership with another volunteer who liked the idea and stepped up. I have a team of garden workers. I have laid out a plan for planting through the season. We're having our first work day on Saturday to start preparing the soil (if it dries out a bit by Saturday - very rainy lately!).
Our goal is to donate 100 pounds of wholesome organic food. We probably will donate it to food pantries closer to home than the regional food bank I gave to last year. We will manage the garden online. It is very exciting to see this project take shape.
Above all, I hope it will be fun. I hope I'll make some new friends and I really hope we will be wildly successful at growing vegetables.
They loved it! The group is supporting the project! So, Grace Garden is born.
It appealed to the group because it is an organic garden (good for the environment) and it is supporting the local community garden (a good social program). We are improving the food security of the community (social justice) with high quality product, healthier than canned vegetables or processed food they usually get at food pantries. I can only pray that the veggies do good, that they are given to people who know how to prepare fresh vegetables, and given to people will enjoy having fresh vegetables and fruit. I imagine it feels pretty lousy to have to turn down food you know is better for you, because you have to pick cheaper things.
I share the leadership with another volunteer who liked the idea and stepped up. I have a team of garden workers. I have laid out a plan for planting through the season. We're having our first work day on Saturday to start preparing the soil (if it dries out a bit by Saturday - very rainy lately!).
Our goal is to donate 100 pounds of wholesome organic food. We probably will donate it to food pantries closer to home than the regional food bank I gave to last year. We will manage the garden online. It is very exciting to see this project take shape.
Above all, I hope it will be fun. I hope I'll make some new friends and I really hope we will be wildly successful at growing vegetables.
Sunday, March 11, 2012
It Works....it actually works
The Famous Little Red Book That Makes Your Dreams Come True!
While on my recent trip to Florida, I flipped through the Southwest Airlines in-flight magazine called Spirit. There was a story ("Luck and Desire") about a young man who had a devastating accident, but was making progress towards recovery against many odds. This is a fairly typical premise.
Yet....this story hooked me. What captured me was his life before the accident. As a child, he had not been particularly athletic. His mother had a secret to share with him - a 20-page booklet called It Works! which was given to her by her father. That booklet contained the method and the system for developing goals and achieving them.
It's a short booklet. On Amazon, it's only $3, for heaven's sake. How could that booklet contain information about how to get anything you desire? And it's so old...it's got some quaint dated language in it.
The young man in the article, Rob, applied the principles to his pursuit of baseball. And you know what? as he grew up, he became better at it. Then he became good at it. Then he was looking at athletic scholarships to college. He had seen the process work in his life, and in the lives of his mother and grandfather.
Then, the accident happened and his life took a different direction. He had to redesign his goals, but again using the same method and techniques, he made (and is still making) remarkable progress towards recovery.
It Works in My Life
So what have I got to lose? I thought I'd give it a try. I found a notebook and began wrote down what I want. I wrote down everything I could think of. I didn't restrict it to any particular type of goal. I've followed the plan as faithfully as faithfully as I am able.
Anything happening?
Remarkably, yes it is. One goal is basically accomplished. I have had remarkable and unexpected steps towards achieving two other goals. How did that happen?
Yeah, it could be random, but for me, there's enough evidence that the method is doing exactly what the book says it will do. It seems unlikely, but I am cautiously optimistic.
Nothing New Under the Sun
The Luck and Desire article discussed the psychology of goal setting, and how it's possible to get it all wrong. It also talks about other manifestations of the same idea. In the early 00's a book called The Secret was wildly popular. Same thing.
In the late 90s, a book that took off in Christian communities was The Prayer of Jabez. Same idea. I bet this concept comes around every generation or so.
The skeptics can deny and protest all they want. And honestly, I'm still somewhat of a skeptic. But for now I'm keeping at it.
The only thing you do in return is spread the word. Here is one small effort to spread the word and pay it forward.
BTW, It Works! is also available for Kindle. Only $2.40. What's holding you back??
While on my recent trip to Florida, I flipped through the Southwest Airlines in-flight magazine called Spirit. There was a story ("Luck and Desire") about a young man who had a devastating accident, but was making progress towards recovery against many odds. This is a fairly typical premise.
Yet....this story hooked me. What captured me was his life before the accident. As a child, he had not been particularly athletic. His mother had a secret to share with him - a 20-page booklet called It Works! which was given to her by her father. That booklet contained the method and the system for developing goals and achieving them.
It's a short booklet. On Amazon, it's only $3, for heaven's sake. How could that booklet contain information about how to get anything you desire? And it's so old...it's got some quaint dated language in it.
The young man in the article, Rob, applied the principles to his pursuit of baseball. And you know what? as he grew up, he became better at it. Then he became good at it. Then he was looking at athletic scholarships to college. He had seen the process work in his life, and in the lives of his mother and grandfather.
Then, the accident happened and his life took a different direction. He had to redesign his goals, but again using the same method and techniques, he made (and is still making) remarkable progress towards recovery.
It Works in My Life
So what have I got to lose? I thought I'd give it a try. I found a notebook and began wrote down what I want. I wrote down everything I could think of. I didn't restrict it to any particular type of goal. I've followed the plan as faithfully as faithfully as I am able.
Anything happening?
Remarkably, yes it is. One goal is basically accomplished. I have had remarkable and unexpected steps towards achieving two other goals. How did that happen?
Yeah, it could be random, but for me, there's enough evidence that the method is doing exactly what the book says it will do. It seems unlikely, but I am cautiously optimistic.
Nothing New Under the Sun
The Luck and Desire article discussed the psychology of goal setting, and how it's possible to get it all wrong. It also talks about other manifestations of the same idea. In the early 00's a book called The Secret was wildly popular. Same thing.
In the late 90s, a book that took off in Christian communities was The Prayer of Jabez. Same idea. I bet this concept comes around every generation or so.
The skeptics can deny and protest all they want. And honestly, I'm still somewhat of a skeptic. But for now I'm keeping at it.
The only thing you do in return is spread the word. Here is one small effort to spread the word and pay it forward.
BTW, It Works! is also available for Kindle. Only $2.40. What's holding you back??
Sunday, March 4, 2012
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