Tonight, I begin my entry with absolutely no idea of what I intend to say. Which, for me, is unprecedented.
I simply NEEDED to write something down today.
Maybe I'm feeling a bit "pent-up" lately. It's not hate or anger or aggression or anything malicious that's bothering me, but I can't pinpoint what "it" actually is.
By nature, I am a person who takes on the problems of others, to a fault. Recently I have been so deeply concerned with and involved in other people's problems, that when obstacles of my own loom in front of me, I am overwhelmed.
So how do I balance a natural sense of compassion and a desire to help and teach others while reserving enough energy and judgment to tackle my own personal dilemmas effectively?
Under no circumstance would I want to stifle those instincts to give of my time and consideration to others. It is the most rewarding gift you will ever give yourself to give to someone else.
But, as I have somehow just fully realized, this characteristic can become somewhat of a burden. It's a hard lesson to learn that not all people think of others before themselves.
Well, then. Guess I just needed to vent! Thanks for taking the time :)
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Black and White
The district manager of the company that I work for has said on multiple occasions, "A good manager of people doesn't see in black and white. A good manager can take into account all contributing factors, and process a solution in shades of gray."
I realize that at first, that sounds like the normal "blah, blah, blah" that comes from district managers. But the longer that I worked managing people and helping customers, the more it struck a chord with me. This is a truth in life, not just in retail management.
Millions of people have allowed themselves to be led astray by simply selecting one of the limited choices offered to them by the media, or by society in general.
For instance, take the commonly held conception that you can't believe in God, and believe in "science." Where did this idea originate? And since when is "science" a religion to be subscribed to? Our textbooks and our television programs have told us that each person has a choice to make: believe that the universe is ruled and was created by science, or believe that God is the intelligent Creator and Overseer of all things (which makes you at the same time both radical and parochial). Why aren't people presented with facts, and allowed to process the information, and formulate an opinion? I believe that gravity is real. I believe that when water cools to below 32 degrees fahrenheit, it freezes. Both things that scientists agree with me on. I also believe that God created gravity.
Similarly, if you watch the news, you're surely believing by now that anyone with the tags "Tea Party" or "religious right" attached to him is a closed-minded, illiterate racist with a private store of weapons, just waiting to assassinate the President. And maybe even dumb enough to suggest that God created gravity.
While I can't pretend to know the personal stances of everyone who shares those labels, I assure you that many have been misrepresented. But how do you find out the facts? Well, this is where the shades-of-gray thing comes in. And this is where, as a nation, we are at a disadvantage. The general public has become used to being given a couple of clear choices, and lazily and blindly picking which one they will stand behind. Thus, our brains have fallen asleep. Why evaluate? Why sift through many articles or stories to find the facts and see where someone's views align with your own? Why not just turn on the tube and be spoonfed a beliefs system.
My point after all that is to say that you don't have to simply accept what society tells you are your options! Look at the objective facts and THINK! Use your brain and decide!
I realize that at first, that sounds like the normal "blah, blah, blah" that comes from district managers. But the longer that I worked managing people and helping customers, the more it struck a chord with me. This is a truth in life, not just in retail management.
Millions of people have allowed themselves to be led astray by simply selecting one of the limited choices offered to them by the media, or by society in general.
For instance, take the commonly held conception that you can't believe in God, and believe in "science." Where did this idea originate? And since when is "science" a religion to be subscribed to? Our textbooks and our television programs have told us that each person has a choice to make: believe that the universe is ruled and was created by science, or believe that God is the intelligent Creator and Overseer of all things (which makes you at the same time both radical and parochial). Why aren't people presented with facts, and allowed to process the information, and formulate an opinion? I believe that gravity is real. I believe that when water cools to below 32 degrees fahrenheit, it freezes. Both things that scientists agree with me on. I also believe that God created gravity.
Similarly, if you watch the news, you're surely believing by now that anyone with the tags "Tea Party" or "religious right" attached to him is a closed-minded, illiterate racist with a private store of weapons, just waiting to assassinate the President. And maybe even dumb enough to suggest that God created gravity.
While I can't pretend to know the personal stances of everyone who shares those labels, I assure you that many have been misrepresented. But how do you find out the facts? Well, this is where the shades-of-gray thing comes in. And this is where, as a nation, we are at a disadvantage. The general public has become used to being given a couple of clear choices, and lazily and blindly picking which one they will stand behind. Thus, our brains have fallen asleep. Why evaluate? Why sift through many articles or stories to find the facts and see where someone's views align with your own? Why not just turn on the tube and be spoonfed a beliefs system.
My point after all that is to say that you don't have to simply accept what society tells you are your options! Look at the objective facts and THINK! Use your brain and decide!
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