For much of my 30+ year career I worked nights and weekends. Early on I had Tuesday Wednesday days off then got to Monday Tuesday, then got to Sunday Monday. To get weekends off I had to take a pay cut and work in a different location for 2 1/2 years. I did that when my children were small so that I could be home nights and weekends and do the activities at other parents got to do on a regular basis. But then I had to make a choice that would affect my retirement and chose to go back into the operation with Monday Tuesday days off and then Sunday Monday days off for many years.
The shifts that I worked were not consistent, either. The schedule that we followed where I have worked followed a 221 rotation. Two evening shifts, he usually 3 to 11 or 2 to 10. To the shifts, usually 7 to 3 or 622. And then either a dayshift or a midnight shift. This rotation was put in place many many years ago to maximize the weekend for us. Repeated studies have shown that this is one of the worst schedules someone can be on for their health and personal lives.
I share all that to say that while I enjoy my weekends now and like having evenings off during the week I don't celebrate Fridays. So many times my people and even I would cringe when staff people would come in and go "it's Friday woo hoo!" Because almost everybody that heard them still had one two or three days left in their work week.
In our always on 24/7 culture that we have developed in our society I still find it odd that marketing and activity companies stick to the same old five days of work with two days off on Saturday and Sunday model. And if you offer something different that it fails because it doesn't get any support from the public or the company.
Interesting.
Wednesday, December 30, 2020
Friday, December 25, 2020
Bullying jerks ~
I saw the story today about a woman trolling anti-vaccination believers by donating money to vaccination causes in their names.
My first thought was what an ass hole! Then I remembered a story from my past:
I had a friend in college that was a good guy. Grew up in church, had skill in singing and so grew up in boys choirs and musicals. In high school and his first couple of years in college the jerks that he went to school with that look down on him as being not a job or not manly enough in their eyes or worse would take parts off of his late 60s model Mustang. They would leave notes under his windshield that said cruel and terrible things. They would taught him as he walked by. And then they took it a step further and subscribed him to porn magazines. Gay porn magazines. And because he was put down as the person that subscribed to them that magazines came to his home where his elderly parents saw them. And the bills for the magazines came. And then the bill collectors came to collect on the bills that went unpaid.
So what I thought the word ass hole about this woman those were the kind of people I was thinking she was like. Bullying jerks that cost people stress, time, embarrassment, and livelihood.
I imagine that the woman who was doing the trolling is a coward liberal hiding in her basement in her sewing room doing things anonymously because she doesn't have the guts to take a stand or make it known what she believes.
It may be a crime in the New World but I hate things like that.
My first thought was what an ass hole! Then I remembered a story from my past:
I had a friend in college that was a good guy. Grew up in church, had skill in singing and so grew up in boys choirs and musicals. In high school and his first couple of years in college the jerks that he went to school with that look down on him as being not a job or not manly enough in their eyes or worse would take parts off of his late 60s model Mustang. They would leave notes under his windshield that said cruel and terrible things. They would taught him as he walked by. And then they took it a step further and subscribed him to porn magazines. Gay porn magazines. And because he was put down as the person that subscribed to them that magazines came to his home where his elderly parents saw them. And the bills for the magazines came. And then the bill collectors came to collect on the bills that went unpaid.
So what I thought the word ass hole about this woman those were the kind of people I was thinking she was like. Bullying jerks that cost people stress, time, embarrassment, and livelihood.
I imagine that the woman who was doing the trolling is a coward liberal hiding in her basement in her sewing room doing things anonymously because she doesn't have the guts to take a stand or make it known what she believes.
It may be a crime in the New World but I hate things like that.
Sunday, December 20, 2020
Be shrewd ~
I hope you never let anyone take away your freedom to think.
So much of what we are hearing and seeing is either manipulative in an effort to part us from our money or manipulative in an effort to make you think the way someone wants you to think.
You are given a brain. You are given intelligence. You are given the ability to reason and solve puzzles and match patterns.
So when they come and tell you what you're supposed to think and how you're supposed to speak in all of that understand that you have to exist within the system but you do not always have to adhere to the system. If it gives you what you want and you're not having to give up everything in order to get that then by all means proceed but. But.
Be careful! It's so easy to fall into the trap of another's way of thinking. It's so seductive to not have to expend the effort or resources and just take it easy and relax and let someone else provide you safety and provide you subjects that are safe to think about and then provide you subjects to accuse others of when you see it.
The Bible teaches that we are as believers to be in the world but not of the world. Jesus told a story about a manager that was corrupt. And when he discovered that he was about to be fired he went and talked to all the people that owed his boss or in the words of the Bible master money and goods to sit down and not in his hand but in their own hand change the records and cut their debt. He did this as an evil manager in an effort to set up his life after being fired. So that they would take care of him when he no longer works for his master.
The shocking part of that whole story in the Bible is that Jesus, the son of God, said not only did the master praise his servant that he was firing for being shrewd and showing initiative but then Jesus said "I want you to be like that also". And he explained that streetwise people are always looking out for the opportunity. And that he wanted us as believers to always be looking out for those opportunities. Churches and denominations have twisted that into always be looking for a chance to share the gospel or convince somebody to accept Jesus as their Savior or whatever, but as I listen and as I meditate on that story I'm starting to think that he wasn't just talking about sharing him. He was talking about living life. Living life as a Christian. Not lying, not doing wrong although the manager was doing wrong. But he said be true!
This whole thing is hard for me because I don't think that way. I think in absolutes and have to force myself not to. I think right is right and wrong is wrong. There are so many things that I see that are wrong in my view right now that it's hard to conduct myself day-to-day sometimes. But I am trying to be shrewd and trying to persevere.
So much of what we are hearing and seeing is either manipulative in an effort to part us from our money or manipulative in an effort to make you think the way someone wants you to think.
You are given a brain. You are given intelligence. You are given the ability to reason and solve puzzles and match patterns.
So when they come and tell you what you're supposed to think and how you're supposed to speak in all of that understand that you have to exist within the system but you do not always have to adhere to the system. If it gives you what you want and you're not having to give up everything in order to get that then by all means proceed but. But.
Be careful! It's so easy to fall into the trap of another's way of thinking. It's so seductive to not have to expend the effort or resources and just take it easy and relax and let someone else provide you safety and provide you subjects that are safe to think about and then provide you subjects to accuse others of when you see it.
The Bible teaches that we are as believers to be in the world but not of the world. Jesus told a story about a manager that was corrupt. And when he discovered that he was about to be fired he went and talked to all the people that owed his boss or in the words of the Bible master money and goods to sit down and not in his hand but in their own hand change the records and cut their debt. He did this as an evil manager in an effort to set up his life after being fired. So that they would take care of him when he no longer works for his master.
The shocking part of that whole story in the Bible is that Jesus, the son of God, said not only did the master praise his servant that he was firing for being shrewd and showing initiative but then Jesus said "I want you to be like that also". And he explained that streetwise people are always looking out for the opportunity. And that he wanted us as believers to always be looking out for those opportunities. Churches and denominations have twisted that into always be looking for a chance to share the gospel or convince somebody to accept Jesus as their Savior or whatever, but as I listen and as I meditate on that story I'm starting to think that he wasn't just talking about sharing him. He was talking about living life. Living life as a Christian. Not lying, not doing wrong although the manager was doing wrong. But he said be true!
This whole thing is hard for me because I don't think that way. I think in absolutes and have to force myself not to. I think right is right and wrong is wrong. There are so many things that I see that are wrong in my view right now that it's hard to conduct myself day-to-day sometimes. But I am trying to be shrewd and trying to persevere.
Thursday, December 10, 2020
Meditation thoughts ~
I have developed a habit that I struggle with. It's one that I wonder if I'm doing right or if I'm setting myself up for trouble.
The habit is meditation. I've read about meditation over the years and it was always to Yaya Wu for me. It just seems silly that sitting and being quiet and focusing on my breathing could help relieve stress and focus my thoughts.
Then they came out with apps to help a person meditate. The one that I latched onto was the calm because it offered more than just a guided meditation. The calm app offers music that's ambient and quiet, it offers sounds that can help calm you like rain, running water, waves, and that sort of thing.
So I started using the calm app. I went ahead and subscribe for a year, then once I had been doing it for about six months on the offer came for a lifetime subscription I went ahead and did that.
I enjoy taking 10 minutes out during my lessons and focusing on my breathing and hearing a little thought about meditation and improving and all that.
But I feel guilty when I do it. I feel like I'm doing something wrong because it's not prayer and it's not Bible based. As a Christian I don't want to get crossways on that but I also understand that everything we do should be done for the glory of God, not just things that other Christians have defined as being good and decent things.
When I meditate I try to listen for God. I listen for insights. I don't clear my mind because that's not what meditation is for me. I focus so that I can maintain better concentration and be here now better than I used to be.
One of the things that I've struggled with all of my life is always focusing on what's coming up or what happened. Being anxious about what's coming up and being ready or being angry or offended about what happened in the past.
This whole meditation thing along with other things that God has brought into my life have help me to live more now and enjoy the current things happening rather than be so focused on future disasters and past things that could've gone better. Still not great on it, and I'm still not very mindful, but life is about getting better than I was yesterday. And learning along the way.
If you try meditation just keep in mind that the goal is not to empty your mind in order to join with some great energy source at the center of the universe. At least it's not for me! My goal is to focus my thinking so that I can better hear and discern what God has for me to learn. The Creator, not just some general energy force out there.
The habit is meditation. I've read about meditation over the years and it was always to Yaya Wu for me. It just seems silly that sitting and being quiet and focusing on my breathing could help relieve stress and focus my thoughts.
Then they came out with apps to help a person meditate. The one that I latched onto was the calm because it offered more than just a guided meditation. The calm app offers music that's ambient and quiet, it offers sounds that can help calm you like rain, running water, waves, and that sort of thing.
So I started using the calm app. I went ahead and subscribe for a year, then once I had been doing it for about six months on the offer came for a lifetime subscription I went ahead and did that.
I enjoy taking 10 minutes out during my lessons and focusing on my breathing and hearing a little thought about meditation and improving and all that.
But I feel guilty when I do it. I feel like I'm doing something wrong because it's not prayer and it's not Bible based. As a Christian I don't want to get crossways on that but I also understand that everything we do should be done for the glory of God, not just things that other Christians have defined as being good and decent things.
When I meditate I try to listen for God. I listen for insights. I don't clear my mind because that's not what meditation is for me. I focus so that I can maintain better concentration and be here now better than I used to be.
One of the things that I've struggled with all of my life is always focusing on what's coming up or what happened. Being anxious about what's coming up and being ready or being angry or offended about what happened in the past.
This whole meditation thing along with other things that God has brought into my life have help me to live more now and enjoy the current things happening rather than be so focused on future disasters and past things that could've gone better. Still not great on it, and I'm still not very mindful, but life is about getting better than I was yesterday. And learning along the way.
If you try meditation just keep in mind that the goal is not to empty your mind in order to join with some great energy source at the center of the universe. At least it's not for me! My goal is to focus my thinking so that I can better hear and discern what God has for me to learn. The Creator, not just some general energy force out there.
Saturday, December 5, 2020
Expecting nothing ~
So today's meditation in the Calm app had a quote that says blessed is he who expects nothing, for he shall never be disappointed.
Over the years I have struggled with this concept. I have high expectations, both of those around me and of myself. I look forward to things. I predict things. As a highly trained pattern matcher my predictions are often correct.
And so when I look forward to something in expectation and that thing does not happen I tend to be disappointed. That disappointment comes out of me in different ways. I'm a guy, so I don't cry about it very often. Although I have! I remember a time when a relative had a child that was having a surgery shortly after their birth and no one told me. I found out when my mother asked me what I thought of it and I had to honestly ask her what she was talking about.
But my expectations are high. And so when I hear a secular meditation use a quote about expecting nothing it catches my attention.
The biggest reason it catches my attention is because over the years one of my battle cries when I was in the middle of some disappointment was I should just expect nothing. My wife would argue with me and tell me that I should expect the best and I should look forward to the best and when it doesn't happen you should work harder to make it happen and all of that. But she was not the only one to push back on my desire to expect nothing. Pastors, friends, relatives, even my own children would look at me and say you should really expect more. And you should expect to get the best because your this in your that and and you deserve it.
Over the past few years I've learned to accept what is, and that when I get frustrated with what is not being what I wanted it to be that is a form of insanity. When I expect nothing I tend to get just that, although a lot of times things exceed my expectations became beyond my wildest dreams! And I tend to set things up so that good things happen to those around me. And along the way good things happen to me. But not always to me.
So it's different having this come up today. It's different having it triggered me wanting to post about it, but I really don't want to change anything about myself at this point. I have lowered my expectations on those around me to less than what I would normally have. I'm much happier now. And so I think things are working just fine.
I had a doctor's appointment and my blood pressure was normal, 120/80. So that's working really well. I think a lot of things are working really well and I need to just continue to ride into the future with them.
What a blessing! Instead of having to get all worked up about changing I just need to maintain and tweak. And add when I am led to add. What a wonderful life!
Over the years I have struggled with this concept. I have high expectations, both of those around me and of myself. I look forward to things. I predict things. As a highly trained pattern matcher my predictions are often correct.
And so when I look forward to something in expectation and that thing does not happen I tend to be disappointed. That disappointment comes out of me in different ways. I'm a guy, so I don't cry about it very often. Although I have! I remember a time when a relative had a child that was having a surgery shortly after their birth and no one told me. I found out when my mother asked me what I thought of it and I had to honestly ask her what she was talking about.
But my expectations are high. And so when I hear a secular meditation use a quote about expecting nothing it catches my attention.
The biggest reason it catches my attention is because over the years one of my battle cries when I was in the middle of some disappointment was I should just expect nothing. My wife would argue with me and tell me that I should expect the best and I should look forward to the best and when it doesn't happen you should work harder to make it happen and all of that. But she was not the only one to push back on my desire to expect nothing. Pastors, friends, relatives, even my own children would look at me and say you should really expect more. And you should expect to get the best because your this in your that and and you deserve it.
Over the past few years I've learned to accept what is, and that when I get frustrated with what is not being what I wanted it to be that is a form of insanity. When I expect nothing I tend to get just that, although a lot of times things exceed my expectations became beyond my wildest dreams! And I tend to set things up so that good things happen to those around me. And along the way good things happen to me. But not always to me.
So it's different having this come up today. It's different having it triggered me wanting to post about it, but I really don't want to change anything about myself at this point. I have lowered my expectations on those around me to less than what I would normally have. I'm much happier now. And so I think things are working just fine.
I had a doctor's appointment and my blood pressure was normal, 120/80. So that's working really well. I think a lot of things are working really well and I need to just continue to ride into the future with them.
What a blessing! Instead of having to get all worked up about changing I just need to maintain and tweak. And add when I am led to add. What a wonderful life!
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