“We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.” Maya Angelou
There are days when you get bouts of reflection regarding people you know. Family, friends or co-workers. Each of us tend to develop thoughts and beliefs about those people, looking to see what they will become.
It may be a troubled teen that just seems to fight against understanding. Or the co-worker that just doesn't understand the meaning of succeeding in their job. Each of them on a path that you have no control over. As I have written before, you dictate your own attitude and path within life. There will be influences upon your life, but you have choice.
That influence I speak of is also something that each of us possess and on others. You can have positive influences and negatives influences upon others. Choose the positive ones and watch that person change over time. You'll be surprised by all of those changes that it takes to create this new person.
Yet when it happens and you see the grand butterfly of a person's life unfold, it will be due to all of those changes, all of those influences by many others including yourself.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
What If It Were You
Today I am back from a great vacation that was good to have. It was full of everything you would expect and all of the other things that life throws at us as well. We made a trip to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania to visit the historical battlefield from the U.S. Civil War. Other locations were visited as well, we passed the Blacksburg, Virginia site of the horrible shootings and other many things observed and enjoyed.
I also had the unfortunate opportunity to witness a head-on accident between a car and motorcycle. Myself and a few others got out, called emergency officials and assisted in any way that we could. I can not tell you if the motorcyclist survived his injuries. From what I observed, he would have been quite lucky if he did. My prayers and thoughts go out to him and his family as well as those also involved in the accident.
It surprised me observing all of this how many people simply left the scene. Many apparently not wanting to get involved, too busy to be concerned with the event that occurred. I direct this last statement to those that were direct witness to the accident. As busy as our lives are, we still need to have concern for our fellow human. It makes me wonder if these are the type of people one could depend upon for anything.
Life is taken away from us in many unexpected ways. It is something that a large majority of us have no control over. Yet for the living, how we respond to the death of another says much about our own character. A small level of compassion can go such a long way in the comforting of those that remain. As I have heard said, "prayers are for the deceased, sympathy is for the living."
Take a moment to think about how you might respond in an emergency. Even though it is tough to know exactly what that is, try to. Doing so now could make a difference in a real situation. As I would hope, if I were in need, out there are people willing to care and take action. Be a person of action to help others.
I also had the unfortunate opportunity to witness a head-on accident between a car and motorcycle. Myself and a few others got out, called emergency officials and assisted in any way that we could. I can not tell you if the motorcyclist survived his injuries. From what I observed, he would have been quite lucky if he did. My prayers and thoughts go out to him and his family as well as those also involved in the accident.
It surprised me observing all of this how many people simply left the scene. Many apparently not wanting to get involved, too busy to be concerned with the event that occurred. I direct this last statement to those that were direct witness to the accident. As busy as our lives are, we still need to have concern for our fellow human. It makes me wonder if these are the type of people one could depend upon for anything.
Life is taken away from us in many unexpected ways. It is something that a large majority of us have no control over. Yet for the living, how we respond to the death of another says much about our own character. A small level of compassion can go such a long way in the comforting of those that remain. As I have heard said, "prayers are for the deceased, sympathy is for the living."
Take a moment to think about how you might respond in an emergency. Even though it is tough to know exactly what that is, try to. Doing so now could make a difference in a real situation. As I would hope, if I were in need, out there are people willing to care and take action. Be a person of action to help others.
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Virginia Tech in Memorium
Trying to make sense of the senseless is a very difficult thing to do. The recent events at Virginia Tech underscore how cruel life can be. The unexpected nature of life throwing pain and sorrow at each of us in varying degrees will make us question the senseless.
The responsibility of this tragedy lay with the person whom committed it. People that were directly effected and died much too soon. Your faith and beliefs will provide you with the ability to find some comfort. You will learn about yourself, devastated families will learn about themselves and others remotely effected will learn as well.
How one moves on from an incident such as this will be worked out individually among all of the survivors. Just know that life will continue and you must move on beyond it. This does not mean to lose the great memories of those victims of a senseless act. There will be heart ache and grief for many that will eventually subside. I only hope that each of the families directly effected, the suvivors that are healing right now and those traumatized can find some amount of strength in the days to come.
In memoriam for those that lost their life, I list the victims. My prayers and words of strength to their families.
Ross Abdallah Alameddine, 20
Christopher James Bishop, 35
Brian Bluhm, 25
Ryan Clark, 22
Austin Cloyd, 18
Jocelyne Couture-Nowak
Daniel Perez Cueva, 21
Kevin Granata, 45
Matthew Gwaltney, 24
Caitlin Hammaren, 19
Jeremy Herbstritt, 27
Rachael Hill, 18
Emily Jane Hilscher, 19
Jarrett Lane, 22
Matthew La Porte, 20
Henry Lee, 20
Liviu Librescu, 76
G.V. Loganathan, 51
Partahi Lombantoruan, 34
Lauren McCain, 20
Daniel O'Neil, 22
Juan Ortiz, 26
Minal Panchal, 26
Erin Peterson, 18
Michael Pohle, 23
Julia Pryde, 23
Mary Read, 19
Reema Samaha, 18
Waleed Mohammed Shaalan, 32
Leslie Sherman, 20
Maxine Turner, 22
Nicole White, 20
All of these people were beautiful and wonderful. With the loss of each one, the stars will shine a little brighter and the sun a little brighter as each one of them will be shining down upon each of us.
The responsibility of this tragedy lay with the person whom committed it. People that were directly effected and died much too soon. Your faith and beliefs will provide you with the ability to find some comfort. You will learn about yourself, devastated families will learn about themselves and others remotely effected will learn as well.
How one moves on from an incident such as this will be worked out individually among all of the survivors. Just know that life will continue and you must move on beyond it. This does not mean to lose the great memories of those victims of a senseless act. There will be heart ache and grief for many that will eventually subside. I only hope that each of the families directly effected, the suvivors that are healing right now and those traumatized can find some amount of strength in the days to come.
In memoriam for those that lost their life, I list the victims. My prayers and words of strength to their families.
Ross Abdallah Alameddine, 20
Christopher James Bishop, 35
Brian Bluhm, 25
Ryan Clark, 22
Austin Cloyd, 18
Jocelyne Couture-Nowak
Daniel Perez Cueva, 21
Kevin Granata, 45
Matthew Gwaltney, 24
Caitlin Hammaren, 19
Jeremy Herbstritt, 27
Rachael Hill, 18
Emily Jane Hilscher, 19
Jarrett Lane, 22
Matthew La Porte, 20
Henry Lee, 20
Liviu Librescu, 76
G.V. Loganathan, 51
Partahi Lombantoruan, 34
Lauren McCain, 20
Daniel O'Neil, 22
Juan Ortiz, 26
Minal Panchal, 26
Erin Peterson, 18
Michael Pohle, 23
Julia Pryde, 23
Mary Read, 19
Reema Samaha, 18
Waleed Mohammed Shaalan, 32
Leslie Sherman, 20
Maxine Turner, 22
Nicole White, 20
All of these people were beautiful and wonderful. With the loss of each one, the stars will shine a little brighter and the sun a little brighter as each one of them will be shining down upon each of us.
Friday, April 13, 2007
Today & Tomorrow
I will be vacationing for a few days and will write again upon my return. Until then, I leave a quote for you to think about today and dream about tomorrow.
“Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in, forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day, you shall begin it well and serenely...” Ralph Waldo Emerson
“Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in, forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day, you shall begin it well and serenely...” Ralph Waldo Emerson
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Spring Is Near
We are approaching the end of a winter season in the northern hemisphere. The spring of a new season is coming quickly. Maybe not quickly enough for some and the 'weather man' may contradict it. Yet spring is coming as sure as time continues on.
Doug Larson, an English middle-distance runner who won gold medals at the 1924 Olympic Games in Paris said, “Spring is when you feel like whistling even with a shoe full of slush.” It is this optimism that brings you through the rough times. It strengthens you to take full advantage of the better times that await.
When we wallow in despair and anger, we weaken our mind and body. If this carries over into those times when life isn't quite so bad, then we are not in a position to take advantage of opportunity. Keep your head up, work through the coldness of winter and prepare for the spring of a new life.
Change will occur with the coming season. As you see buds of new opportunity, ready your mind and attitude to change with it. There will be great things happening for you when you create movement this coming spring time.
Doug Larson, an English middle-distance runner who won gold medals at the 1924 Olympic Games in Paris said, “Spring is when you feel like whistling even with a shoe full of slush.” It is this optimism that brings you through the rough times. It strengthens you to take full advantage of the better times that await.
When we wallow in despair and anger, we weaken our mind and body. If this carries over into those times when life isn't quite so bad, then we are not in a position to take advantage of opportunity. Keep your head up, work through the coldness of winter and prepare for the spring of a new life.
Change will occur with the coming season. As you see buds of new opportunity, ready your mind and attitude to change with it. There will be great things happening for you when you create movement this coming spring time.
Friday, April 06, 2007
Hope For Tomorrow
The Entombment of Christ by Carravagio.For Christians around the world, today is Good Friday. The day that remembers the crucifixion and death of Jesus at Calvary. This is a holy day observed by most Christian religions.
Mainstream Christian churches view Christ's crucifixion as a voluntary and vicarious act, and one by which, along with resurrection on the third day, death itself was conquered.
Others religions have their holy days as well, each of us with some central faith in purpose and meaning of our lives. Even non-religious people have their beliefs in some type of reasoning. We must have and hold onto the realities of life but we also have to create faith within ourselves. One that will allow us to look into the unknown, the future or to even set a goal for our life.
I normally do not bring my religious beliefs into full view within my writings. My wish is to have something to say to everyone of every dimension. To offer words of encouragement and hope to anyone that happens upon my site. Today though, I proudly display my religion and faith. For me, this weekend is about hope and faith in a greater tomorrow.
"It was very early on the first day of the week and still dark, when Mary of Magdala came to the tomb. She saw that the stone had been moved away... and came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple... Peter set out with the other disciple to go to the tomb. They ran together. Simon went right into the tomb. Then the other disciple also went in; he saw and he believed. Till this moment they had failed to understand the teaching of scripture that he must rise from the dead." (John 20)
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
Brand You
Recently I read an article regarding job loss and how you can 'bounce back'. I have had friends lose their jobs and seen the various results of it. Myself, I have been blessed to work at the same company for over 20 years. This is no small feat given the job arena these days.
In fact, today's generation can expect to change career jobs 3 or more times in their working life. Much of this is due to new opportunity or the inevitable 'downsizing' that many companies regularly go through. Call a layoff whatever you want, it is still a layoff and people lose jobs and lives are thrown into turmoil.
So what can you do if it happens? The first thing you can do is to 'anticipate your dismissal' by staying tuned to what is going on around you. This does not mean being paranoid about your job performance and rumors. It does mean watching the direction of the company, understanding what is happening at a much higher level. Is the company doing well in sales, in the market place. Is your job vital to the longterm growth of the company. Can you position yourself to be an asset as opposed to an expendable if a layoff occurs? Are you working on improving the market brand called 'you' - more later.
But the inevitable happens and you find yourself on the outside looking in. Just know that you are not alone. Many people go through this so don't be embarrassed to talk about it. Go ahead and 'embrace the situation' because the loss of the job is out of your control now. Its okay to get angry as it is a part of your own healing process. Just get over it and move on, you have a life ahead of you to live.
So now what do you start doing? Well, start by 'choosing your referrals carefully' before jumping into the resume and job application process. If your former employer (direct supervisor) and you are on good terms, ask them what they would say if a potential employer called. If its bad, then you should find someone else to act as a referral.
Remember, you are currently in a sales job and the only brand you have to sell is 'you'. Tom Peters calls it Brand You and its your life and career we are talking about. A good way to think about it is to look at some of the top performers that are known by a single name. Madonna, Sting, Bono, Cher and the list goes on. The name is said and you know what and who that person is. You need to define yourself and sell yourself as you would the world's greatest product.
Now the resume, 'list all jobs on your resume' - even the ones you may have been fired from. But just list the start /end dates and not why you left the job. Use your interview to explain why you left a particular job.
And finally, 'spend your time between jobs wisely' and not in self pity or wild abandon. If you were laid off due to lack of skills, then take the time to learn some new skills. It will certainly help during a new job interview to state, "I have taken the following classes during this time to help improve my skill sets." And know what your skill sets are, you're going to be asked. Knowing your own pros and cons goes back to BRAND YOU and what you can offer to a potential new company.
In fact, today's generation can expect to change career jobs 3 or more times in their working life. Much of this is due to new opportunity or the inevitable 'downsizing' that many companies regularly go through. Call a layoff whatever you want, it is still a layoff and people lose jobs and lives are thrown into turmoil.
So what can you do if it happens? The first thing you can do is to 'anticipate your dismissal' by staying tuned to what is going on around you. This does not mean being paranoid about your job performance and rumors. It does mean watching the direction of the company, understanding what is happening at a much higher level. Is the company doing well in sales, in the market place. Is your job vital to the longterm growth of the company. Can you position yourself to be an asset as opposed to an expendable if a layoff occurs? Are you working on improving the market brand called 'you' - more later.
But the inevitable happens and you find yourself on the outside looking in. Just know that you are not alone. Many people go through this so don't be embarrassed to talk about it. Go ahead and 'embrace the situation' because the loss of the job is out of your control now. Its okay to get angry as it is a part of your own healing process. Just get over it and move on, you have a life ahead of you to live.
So now what do you start doing? Well, start by 'choosing your referrals carefully' before jumping into the resume and job application process. If your former employer (direct supervisor) and you are on good terms, ask them what they would say if a potential employer called. If its bad, then you should find someone else to act as a referral.
Remember, you are currently in a sales job and the only brand you have to sell is 'you'. Tom Peters calls it Brand You and its your life and career we are talking about. A good way to think about it is to look at some of the top performers that are known by a single name. Madonna, Sting, Bono, Cher and the list goes on. The name is said and you know what and who that person is. You need to define yourself and sell yourself as you would the world's greatest product.
Now the resume, 'list all jobs on your resume' - even the ones you may have been fired from. But just list the start /end dates and not why you left the job. Use your interview to explain why you left a particular job.
And finally, 'spend your time between jobs wisely' and not in self pity or wild abandon. If you were laid off due to lack of skills, then take the time to learn some new skills. It will certainly help during a new job interview to state, "I have taken the following classes during this time to help improve my skill sets." And know what your skill sets are, you're going to be asked. Knowing your own pros and cons goes back to BRAND YOU and what you can offer to a potential new company.
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