Showing posts with label work. Show all posts
Showing posts with label work. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Friday, May 21, 2010
Some Thoughts On Working
There's the songs; 'working for the weekend', 'livin' on what their given 'cause I'm workin' for a livin', which probably sums up most people's view of work.
Most of us work because we need a paycheck. Others more driven (for the most part) have work that pays and they enjoy. Of course there are those that luck into something that they enjoy and pays. There are people who's job defines them; they would be lost souls without that work structure. There are some who put work before friends, family and any kind of personal life. I'm sad for those. They don't take to heart the adage, "No one was their death bed wishing they had spent more time at the office."
The question is, do you identify with your work? Are you expressing God's will, being fruitful with the talents you've been gifted with? Dorothy Sayers: "It is only when work has to be looked on as a means to gain that it becomes hateful; for then, instead of a friend, it becomes an enemy from whom tolls and contributions have to be extracted." Many of us I think are experiencing this, maybe not to the level of hateful, but we do feel our jobs to be an enemy that extracts from us.
Sayer's again: "Work is not, primarily, a thing one does to live, but the thing one lives to do. It is, or it should be, the full expression of the worker’s faculties, the thing in which he finds spiritual, mental and bodily satisfaction, and the medium in which he offers himself to God.”
I have to wonder about this. I have a passion for writing, someone else maybe for painting, someone else fixing cars. Few, I think, are doing for income something they live to do. Most are in positions of doing something to live. I would love to sit home, research and write for a living. Were we all to do those things that were an expression of our faculties, we would probably be in a financially impoverished society. The result of that would be all but the very few just struggling to survive. I remember a man calling in to Dr. Laura, that had quit his job as a banker. He hated the job, so took a lesser paying one that he liked. It was causing hardship on his family, and was creating an emotional rift within his marriage. Dr. Laura advised him we don't necessarily have to like our work, but that work is there to provide other things. Providing for his family should be his priority, not doing what he liked.
It's a good thing, within reason, we are forced into working at things we don't so much like. I've been soldier, sailor, lifeguard, librarian, delivery driver, customer service rep, roughneck, to name a few. Most of those were to stay alive (lifeguard and librarian were waaay fun though). I have to define work as something else than a job.
My relationship with God defines my work. I have a moral obligation to provide the best quality I can to whatever company I work for. It, like religion, is all about service. Work, as CS Lewis points out, is to provide leisure time. "We wage war in order to have peace; we work in order to have leisure." There hasn't always been leisure time for most people for most of civilization. Jews and Christians provided us with Sabbath days, leisure days to rest and worship, giving us those much focused on days off. No leisure days before that. As we become a more secular society, the rest and relaxation part takes precedent, at our peril as a society. My secular friends will of course disagree, but I'll put aside my winning argument until later.
Actually, my work is God's work all the time. Since God informs my behavior and thoughts, I'm working, in a sense all the time. I get physical breaks. As a Christian, and people know that I am, my actions are always a testament; people don't want to hear Christian talk about God; big turn off. So in a way, Sayers is right. Work is something I live to do, if I understand I'm serving all through God's will. I witness God's goodness though my job, through work, through whatever I volunteer for. Whatever I do in that light, brings me "spiritual, mental and bodily satisfaction, and the medium in which he [I] offers himself [myself] to God.”
My job, as stressful and frustrating as it is sometimes, does provide me the leisure to rest and worship.
The Bible has a lot of observations about work.
If I keep always in my heart and mind, my work is my testament of my love of God, then my work is my fulfillment of God's gifts given me.
Most of us work because we need a paycheck. Others more driven (for the most part) have work that pays and they enjoy. Of course there are those that luck into something that they enjoy and pays. There are people who's job defines them; they would be lost souls without that work structure. There are some who put work before friends, family and any kind of personal life. I'm sad for those. They don't take to heart the adage, "No one was their death bed wishing they had spent more time at the office."
The question is, do you identify with your work? Are you expressing God's will, being fruitful with the talents you've been gifted with? Dorothy Sayers: "It is only when work has to be looked on as a means to gain that it becomes hateful; for then, instead of a friend, it becomes an enemy from whom tolls and contributions have to be extracted." Many of us I think are experiencing this, maybe not to the level of hateful, but we do feel our jobs to be an enemy that extracts from us.
Sayer's again: "Work is not, primarily, a thing one does to live, but the thing one lives to do. It is, or it should be, the full expression of the worker’s faculties, the thing in which he finds spiritual, mental and bodily satisfaction, and the medium in which he offers himself to God.”
I have to wonder about this. I have a passion for writing, someone else maybe for painting, someone else fixing cars. Few, I think, are doing for income something they live to do. Most are in positions of doing something to live. I would love to sit home, research and write for a living. Were we all to do those things that were an expression of our faculties, we would probably be in a financially impoverished society. The result of that would be all but the very few just struggling to survive. I remember a man calling in to Dr. Laura, that had quit his job as a banker. He hated the job, so took a lesser paying one that he liked. It was causing hardship on his family, and was creating an emotional rift within his marriage. Dr. Laura advised him we don't necessarily have to like our work, but that work is there to provide other things. Providing for his family should be his priority, not doing what he liked.
It's a good thing, within reason, we are forced into working at things we don't so much like. I've been soldier, sailor, lifeguard, librarian, delivery driver, customer service rep, roughneck, to name a few. Most of those were to stay alive (lifeguard and librarian were waaay fun though). I have to define work as something else than a job.
My relationship with God defines my work. I have a moral obligation to provide the best quality I can to whatever company I work for. It, like religion, is all about service. Work, as CS Lewis points out, is to provide leisure time. "We wage war in order to have peace; we work in order to have leisure." There hasn't always been leisure time for most people for most of civilization. Jews and Christians provided us with Sabbath days, leisure days to rest and worship, giving us those much focused on days off. No leisure days before that. As we become a more secular society, the rest and relaxation part takes precedent, at our peril as a society. My secular friends will of course disagree, but I'll put aside my winning argument until later.
Actually, my work is God's work all the time. Since God informs my behavior and thoughts, I'm working, in a sense all the time. I get physical breaks. As a Christian, and people know that I am, my actions are always a testament; people don't want to hear Christian talk about God; big turn off. So in a way, Sayers is right. Work is something I live to do, if I understand I'm serving all through God's will. I witness God's goodness though my job, through work, through whatever I volunteer for. Whatever I do in that light, brings me "spiritual, mental and bodily satisfaction, and the medium in which he [I] offers himself [myself] to God.”
My job, as stressful and frustrating as it is sometimes, does provide me the leisure to rest and worship.
The Bible has a lot of observations about work.
"Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates."
"Six days do your work, but on the seventh day do not work, so that your ox and your donkey may rest and the slave born in your household, and the alien as well, may be refreshed."
"He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work as craftsmen, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen, and weavers—all of them master craftsmen and designers."
"He who works his land will have abundant food, but he who chases fantasies lacks judgment."
"All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty."
"The sluggard's craving will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work."
"Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income."
"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men."
If I keep always in my heart and mind, my work is my testament of my love of God, then my work is my fulfillment of God's gifts given me.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Five Minute Management Course/Starting Your Work Week
Management Course
Lesson 1:
A man is getting into the shower just as his wife is finishing up her shower, when the doorbell rings.
The wife quickly wraps herself in a towel and runs downstairs.
When she opens the door, there stands Bob, the next-door neighbor Before she says a word, Bob says, 'I'll give you $800 to drop that towel.'
After thinking for a moment, the woman drops her towel and stands naked in front of Bob, after a few seconds, Bob hands her $800 and leaves.
The woman wraps back up in the towel and goes back upstairs.
When she gets to the bathroom, her husband asks, 'Who was that?'
'It was Bob the next door neighbor she replies.
'Great,' the husband says, 'did he say anything about the $800 he owes me?'
Moral of the story:
If you share critical information pertaining to credit and risk with your shareholders in time, you may be in a position to prevent avoidable exposure.
Lesson 2:
A priest offered a Nun a lift.
She got in and crossed her legs, forcing her gown to reveal a leg.
The priest nearly had an accident.
After controlling the car, he stealthily slid his hand up her leg.
The nun said, 'Father, remember Psalm 129?'
The priest removed his hand. But, changing gears, he let his hand slide up her leg again.
The nun once again said, 'Father, remember Psalm 129?'
The priest apologized 'Sorry sister but the flesh is weak.'
Arriving at the convent, the nun sighed heavily and went on her way.
On his arrival at the church, the priest rushed to look up Psalm 129. It said, 'Go forth and seek, further up, you will find glory.'
Moral of the story:
If you are not well informed in your job, you might miss a great opportunity.
Lesson 3:
A sales rep, an administration clerk, and the manager are walking to lunch when they find an antique oil lamp.
They rub it and a Genie comes out.
The Genie says, 'I'll give each of you just one wish.'
'Me first! Me first!' says the admin clerk. 'I want to be in the Bahamas , driving a speedboat, without a care in the world.'
Puff! She's gone.
'Me next! Me next!' says the sales rep. 'I want to be in Hawaii , relaxing on the beach with my personal masseuse, an endless supply of Pina Coladas and the love of my life..'
Puff! He's gone.
'OK, you're up,' the Genie says to the manager.
The manager says, 'I want those two back in the office after
Lunch.'
Moral of the story:
Always let your boss have the first say.
Lesson 4
An eagle was sitting on a tree resting, doing nothing.
A small rabbit saw the eagle and asked him, 'Can I also sit like you and do nothing?'
The eagle answered: 'Sure, why not.'
So, the rabbit sat on the ground below the eagle and rested. All of a sudden, a fox appeared, jumped on the rabbit and ate it.
Moral of the story:
To be sitting and doing nothing, you must be sitting very, very high up.
Lesson 5
A turkey was chatting with a bull.
'I would love to be able to get to the top of that tree' sighed the turkey, 'but I haven't got the energy.'
'Well, why don't you nibble on some of my droppings?' replied the bull. They're packed with nutrients.'
The turkey pecked at a lump of dung, and found it actually gave him enough strength to reach the lowest branch of the tree.
The next day, after eating some more dung, he reached the second branch.
Finally after a fourth night, the turkey was proudly perched at the top of the tree.
He was promptly spotted by a farmer, who shot him out of the tree.
Moral of the story:
Bull Shit might get you to the top, but it won't keep you there...
Lesson 6
A little bird was flying south for the winter. It was so cold the bird froze and fell to the ground into a large field.
While he was lying there, a cow came by and dropped some dung on him.
As the frozen bird lay there in the pile of cow dung, he began to realize how warm he was.
The dung was actually thawing him out!
He lay there all warm and happy, and soon began to sing for joy.
A passing cat heard the bird singing and came to investigate.
Following the sound, the cat discovered the bird under the pile of cow dung, and promptly dug him out and ate him.
Morals of the story:
(1) Not everyone who shits on you is your enemy.
(2) Not everyone who gets you out of shit is your friend.
(3) And when you're in deep shit, it's best to keep your mouth shut!
THUS ENDS THE FIVE MINUTE MANAGEMENT COURSE
Lesson 1:
A man is getting into the shower just as his wife is finishing up her shower, when the doorbell rings.
The wife quickly wraps herself in a towel and runs downstairs.
When she opens the door, there stands Bob, the next-door neighbor Before she says a word, Bob says, 'I'll give you $800 to drop that towel.'
After thinking for a moment, the woman drops her towel and stands naked in front of Bob, after a few seconds, Bob hands her $800 and leaves.
The woman wraps back up in the towel and goes back upstairs.
When she gets to the bathroom, her husband asks, 'Who was that?'
'It was Bob the next door neighbor she replies.
'Great,' the husband says, 'did he say anything about the $800 he owes me?'
Moral of the story:
If you share critical information pertaining to credit and risk with your shareholders in time, you may be in a position to prevent avoidable exposure.
Lesson 2:
A priest offered a Nun a lift.
She got in and crossed her legs, forcing her gown to reveal a leg.
The priest nearly had an accident.
After controlling the car, he stealthily slid his hand up her leg.
The nun said, 'Father, remember Psalm 129?'
The priest removed his hand. But, changing gears, he let his hand slide up her leg again.
The nun once again said, 'Father, remember Psalm 129?'
The priest apologized 'Sorry sister but the flesh is weak.'
Arriving at the convent, the nun sighed heavily and went on her way.
On his arrival at the church, the priest rushed to look up Psalm 129. It said, 'Go forth and seek, further up, you will find glory.'
Moral of the story:
If you are not well informed in your job, you might miss a great opportunity.
Lesson 3:
A sales rep, an administration clerk, and the manager are walking to lunch when they find an antique oil lamp.
They rub it and a Genie comes out.
The Genie says, 'I'll give each of you just one wish.'
'Me first! Me first!' says the admin clerk. 'I want to be in the Bahamas , driving a speedboat, without a care in the world.'
Puff! She's gone.
'Me next! Me next!' says the sales rep. 'I want to be in Hawaii , relaxing on the beach with my personal masseuse, an endless supply of Pina Coladas and the love of my life..'
Puff! He's gone.
'OK, you're up,' the Genie says to the manager.
The manager says, 'I want those two back in the office after
Lunch.'
Moral of the story:
Always let your boss have the first say.
Lesson 4
An eagle was sitting on a tree resting, doing nothing.
A small rabbit saw the eagle and asked him, 'Can I also sit like you and do nothing?'
The eagle answered: 'Sure, why not.'
So, the rabbit sat on the ground below the eagle and rested. All of a sudden, a fox appeared, jumped on the rabbit and ate it.
Moral of the story:
To be sitting and doing nothing, you must be sitting very, very high up.
Lesson 5
A turkey was chatting with a bull.
'I would love to be able to get to the top of that tree' sighed the turkey, 'but I haven't got the energy.'
'Well, why don't you nibble on some of my droppings?' replied the bull. They're packed with nutrients.'
The turkey pecked at a lump of dung, and found it actually gave him enough strength to reach the lowest branch of the tree.
The next day, after eating some more dung, he reached the second branch.
Finally after a fourth night, the turkey was proudly perched at the top of the tree.
He was promptly spotted by a farmer, who shot him out of the tree.
Moral of the story:
Bull Shit might get you to the top, but it won't keep you there...
Lesson 6
A little bird was flying south for the winter. It was so cold the bird froze and fell to the ground into a large field.
While he was lying there, a cow came by and dropped some dung on him.
As the frozen bird lay there in the pile of cow dung, he began to realize how warm he was.
The dung was actually thawing him out!
He lay there all warm and happy, and soon began to sing for joy.
A passing cat heard the bird singing and came to investigate.
Following the sound, the cat discovered the bird under the pile of cow dung, and promptly dug him out and ate him.
Morals of the story:
(1) Not everyone who shits on you is your enemy.
(2) Not everyone who gets you out of shit is your friend.
(3) And when you're in deep shit, it's best to keep your mouth shut!
THUS ENDS THE FIVE MINUTE MANAGEMENT COURSE
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
A Little Hard Work Never Killed Anyone, Son -Every Good Dad
Statistics report that in 2000, 5,915 people died at work, including those that had a heart attack at their desk. Lumberjacks have the most dangerous, and the second most is airplane pilots (small planes, not passenger jets..whew!). Following that are structural metalworkers, miners, drillers. Third most common cause of death on the job is murder; in 2000, 677 workers...of those fifty were policemen, and 205 were salesmen. Falls at work account for 12% of work related deaths; these are usually roofer and structural metalworkers. The most common cause of work related death is auto accidents, 23% of the total. The single most dangerous job is Alaskan crab fishermen working the Bering Sea ('The Deadliest Catch'). --From "The Book of General Ignorance" -John Lloyd and John Mitchinson
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