Like a Flip of a Coin

Yesterday, everyone at work got excited.  It was announced that our center's definition of business casual was going to expand to include suchs items as jeans and shorts.  Provided, of course, that they are appropriate.  Everyone was a flutter.  No more slacks and khakis alone, collared shirts, we can wear leggings and long enough shirts, yipee!

But something inside me told me there was more to this announcement.

My suspicions were confirmed today.  Wednesdays I always work the late shift, allowing my colleague on a project with me time with her children.  When I came in, she greets me with, "Did you hear?  The whole center is going to a different schedule?"

As you can imagine, rumors were running rampant and taking over our day.  People were worried for their jobs, trying to make a decision that I had no information about.  Finally, near my lunch time, I was called in with the last group for the meeting.  At the head of the table sat three women.  They looked overall polite and I had seen them previously.  Then the bombshell was dropped:

"We are not as competitive as we once were," one started, "and after reviewing the information, we have discovered that we are not using our employees to full potential."  (In other words, we are wasting resources.)

And ultimatum was made.  10 volunteers needs to move to another department by the end of the day or else someone will volunteer some individuals to fill the remaining spaces.  As it stands, 4 of those spaces have yet to be filled.  My position will change as I will be taking on more work but I have been told I am needed for a project and they cannot lose any people.

I feel bad.  The stress level is up.  You get to wear your jeans but now you have to make a choice.  If these positions are not filled by full-tme employees currently, then those have a choice.  Just stressful and a down day...

As You Like It

In his play As You Like It, Shakespeare writes a monologue in which two lines are well-known by the world:

 

"All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players."

Today, this came to mind and I took the metaphor to heart.  Day in and day out, I work with people in my peer group who become complacent in the roles they are in.  Yet, they do nothing to propel themselves or change their destiny.  For example, if you are not happy in your job, why are you not looking into how you can become happy or change positions?

I too was complacent at one point.  I found it too difficult to work towards changing things that don't ever seem to stay changed.  I finally decided to put my head down and accept the hardships as things not meant for me.  I read a wonderful picture recently which referred to Abraham Lincoln.  One of the most memorable presidents who had ran for political office repeatedly and failed every time until he was elected President of the United States.

We learn a lot through our failures.  We learn what no to do, but more importantly, we learn to persevere.  Today, I thought of a way to add on to the words of Mr. Shakespeare: In this case, our decisions are our props.  Only good actors know how to effectively use them.  We are all given choices in life.  If we do not work to make choices that will benefit us or accept the bad decisions we have made, we cannot change our path.

Another short one but one does not need to be long winded to express a point.  Embrace life, its successes and failures, its rights and wrongs.  More importantly, remember to not give up on the journey because that's the most exciting part.  Don't miss the ride or the destination won't mean as much.

Making Dreams Come True

We all are searching for something in life.  Purpose, meaning, a realization of some sort.  But what happens when that doesn't fall directly into your lap?

In my past posts, I have spoken of phrases like "Follow your bliss" or "Carpe Diem", creating your own destiny and path.  This goes for all aspects in your life, including your need to find a purpose.  I have always had a desire to create.  I love writing, sewing, making jewelry, playing music, anything that is creative.  I have always wanted to translate that into something to truly give me a sense of ownership and belonging.  I feel as though, with the support of my fiancé, I finally have the opportunity to achieve this.

I have been writing this blog and you have been reading it.  That fuels my desire to write.  What's more is I am also penning a book of sorts from these posts as well.  Inspirational, a little religious and all lessons learned.  These two things fuel the fire created by my desire to read, write and be read.

I have also created a Facebook page for my crafts/jewelry.  "Made by LJ" is something I have worked towards for a long time.  Will I ever have a physical store front?  Maybe not.  But that's not how I measure my success.  My success is measured by having people ask me to create things for them that they are willing to purchase.  It is measured by compliments paid on the inventory I currently have and special requests.  It means I am making something that people like.

So where does one go from here?  Up.  There is never an ending, only ever beginnings to a journey.  I hope to never feel defeat in any of my ventures.  I know if I ever do, my loving and amazing fiancé will be there to help me rediscover my passion and drive for what I make.  If you have time, stop by my page and take a look at what I have created!

www.facebook.com/madebylj

Remember that life is too short to let it go by.  You will some day look up and notice that you stared at the ground far too long.  Seize what bit of sunlight you have and make the light eminent in your existence.  And more importantly, support one another in endeavors.

Sorry for being away...

It has indeed been a long week and weekend.  I know I have fallen by the wayside as far as my posts have been concerned, but I have been working hard.  I have my regular job, which I go to every day to meet the specifications of my employer.  I also have been trying to start a business to sell the jewelry and other hand-crafted items I make.  I also have been working on the book I hope to create in conjunction with this blog.

Keep in touch and let me know what you want to hear!  Are you interested in my jewelry?  Perhaps in my book and what it will be about?  Perhaps you want to hear more about my life, my experiences and what my fiance and I face every day in life.

Tell me!

I can't write what I don't know is wanted.  I am going to try and be better and more consistent this week.  It is more difficult when I work early days than late (as I am this week).  This week, I can sit in front of my computer and write, cup of coffee in my hand.

I hope you all have a great week.  Remember to enjoy this thing called "La Vie!"

Vices Reversed

As human beings, we all face vices throughout our lives.  These vices may change over time and may come to impact who we are as individuals.  But to deny the presence of any vice is to deny a basic human nature.  Vices are depicted as something negative upon a person.  +Merriam-Webster defines "vice" in the 1c definition as, "a habitual and usually trivial defect of shortcoming."  With this definition in mind, the term "vice" can be extended to even the most basic of bad habits.

In a previous post, I have shared that I had a vice of food.  Food was how I made myself feel better, how I filled time when bored and other obstacles I had faced.  Alas, I wish this was the only vice I have had to battle, but there is another.  Happily, I am having great deal more success battling the latter.  World: I was a nail bitter.

Growing up, I had all the excuses for biting my nails. I play violin and nails will get in the way of playing, or, When I go horse riding (which was rarely), the nails will hurt the horse, or, I can't stop.  I actually successfully quit biting my nails for a month before I graduated from college.  Unfortunately, those big papers hit along with a few all-nighters and all that success went by the wayside.  A few weeks ago, I was presented with the opportunity to meet someone higher in the company.  Upon this information, I immediately looked at my hands and a resolve was developed.  I have not bitten my nails since.

Like any addiction (because I do believe both of these items qualify as an addiction for me), the risk of temptation is there and even more so given the nature of my vices.  We all have to eat and my nails are always present on my body.  It isn't like other addiction where I can cleanse myself of the temptation.  I keep my nails painted because if they aren't, the temptation is there even more than normal.

What is your vice with which you battle?  Perhaps you have not identified what you face everyday and that is perfectly normal.  As in any addiction, the first step is admitting you have a problem.  I have a problem with abusing the presence of food and biting my nails.  Once you see the problem, know the problem, it is easier to work to solving the problem.

Ironically, I work on a smoking cessation chat line and help people with addiction everyday.  I have picked up some suggestions that may help anyone, including myself:
-> Make a list of reasons to quit, goals once you quit and rewards along the way.  Keep this close at hand for whenever you experience the need to feed your vice/addiction.

No matter what it may be...

-> Find something to do to distract yourself from your craving.  I still need to work on this one but if your vice requires your hands, keeping your hands busy distracts from the vice.
-> Remember that this is not solved in one leap.  The battle of vice/addiction is fought day by day, not at the end of the journey.  Wake up every morning with the resolve to fight this day for your health, your peace of mind and your future.

Just three things to think about.  I am hopping offline so I might get ready for the day.  I might do something to keep myself distracted.  I hope you all have a wonderful day and enjoy a thing called, "La Vie."

Decision and more...

As life continues to propel us forward, we are bound to have to face decisions.  These decisions can vary from person to person and be as vast as the ocean.  One of the most vital decisions is how we lead our lives: Floater or Learner?

I believe that these are two broad categories that we all fall into in some form or fashion.  The Floater is a person who moves through life with ease, no real drive as things are handed to them or comes easily to them.  Goals are attainable and obstacles are few.  The individuals seemingly have little problems socially or academically.  The Learner, however, is driven by their past experiences to continuously look to better themselves.  These are people who constantly seem to face obstacles and have the need to renew the resolve in facing the world.  These are people who seem overly ambitious and have that intellectual flame, a never quenchable thirst for knowledge.

You may be asking yourself, "I don't fall into either one.  There are both very extreme categories."  Now, now, don't get your feathers ruffled.  You may not fall in one category or the other, but rather a combination of the two.  That is a possibility as well.  You may find, after further reflection, that you began in one category and then changed to another category.  We are not static in life and we are constantly shifting and changing.

The reason I bring this up?  Our decisions are ours alone.  No matter what category you fall into, you are not bound to that by life.  You can change your path if you so choose to seek that change.  Only you have the power of your Life path in your hands.

We Remember...

Tonight, I am not going to speak long.  I had a very long weekend and a difficult day.  Why, you may ask?  I found out today that someone passed away at work yesterday.  She apparently seemed to have fallen asleep at her desk and no one was able to rouse her.  By the time first responders had come to the scene, it was too late.  She had gone from this world and into a better one.  I only found out later in the day that it was a woman I had trained a few weeks ago.  My heart breaks for her family.  She was a young woman of only 33.  I had spent a full afternoon with her and felt as though I knew her.

Life is too short to waste it on petty arguments or disruptive behavior.  Stop destroying your health with vices.  Embrace the time we have because, as in this situation, we just don't know how long we actually have on this earth.  That's all I can really say for now.  I am going to sit in meditation and try to be cheered by friends and family, thankful for each breath I am able to take.