Being versatile does not mean being indifferent.
For many post college graduates, we are faced with a job market that reads us for quality, for difference, but mostly for versatility. Being capable of doing many things competently means you are definitively a versatile person. Competency is being able, but it is more than that. It is being able to do something satisfactorily. This something - be it a task or a product - must be done to the judgement of another. This other person is superior not only in position, but also in completing the same task or product (you, as an employee, must try to believe that second part *it helps).
Now you might wonder, where am I going with this? The formatted process appropriately titled "growing up" does not ask us to be versatile. You follow the routine because it is what you are taught. The routine
has a list: do your chores, go to school, play a sport or an instrument,
or both, do some community service, respect your parents, or whoever is
in charge. So for over twenty years of your life you are learning a
routine. The routine does not ask you to be versatile. Sometimes it
asks you to be indifferent. Indifferent to needing to feel included.
Indifferent to eating certain foods because you are told that you have
to eat them. Indifferent to hurtful remarks from other students or other people in general. You are taught that your feelings of inadequacy might be well-founded if you do the "wrong" things and might be overrated if you do the "right" things.
During our teenage years, we begin to realize that those we respect as "superior" do not always do a satisfactory job. We see faults. If I saw my mom do a task that I was taught by her not to be a satisfactory way to accomplish the task and I told her; she'd remarked in a tired manner, "well Hannah, when you have kids, you can do it better, but until then deal with it." You learn as a teenager or young teenager that not only are things not going to go your way (you should have learned that when you were a small kid), but that those who are "in charge," don't have all the answers. In fact, sometimes, they don't have any answers or reasons behind why they do something. After your teenage years, you enter the young adult years. You learn that there are reasons, mostly financial to why you do or don't do something. You learn that sometimes you cannot conquer all the tasks that you have set aside for yourself to accomplish. The pressure never ceases as you are learning to cope with your feelings of inadequacy. You learn about the job market and the workplace. Two of the most common and most noted items in our world are not truly defined or taught until our early twenties. You learn that in order to survive that you must be devoted to your tasks, more so, to accomplishing them in a way not commonly seen or more quickly than another would do so. The reason being that you need to be noticed. You need to be versatile and you need to be thought of.
Thought of, in the workplace, in a positive light is your key to success. However, in order to truly grow, you must never become "indifferent" to your tasks. Being unconcerned equates to negligence. If you find yourself being indifferent to your daily tasks either at your workplace or in your life, you must talk with people. You must talk to people that you do not know. You do not have your close friends around you once you graduate college. You do not have the college environment around you, which made you free to do what you wanted, when you wanted to. You must take orders again and you must do them well. It is not like your mom telling you to clean your room and you say you will (only it takes you like 5 weeks to do so). You are in the workplace and must do something to the order of another individual who might have a completely different philosophy on everything! So talk to everyone and anyone about everything. Talk about your favorite fish, your worst day; write in a journal - write down everything. The pressures will appear. The pressure to "make something of yourself" or to "do something great" - when you realize that you can be versatile, you won't have feelings of inadequacy (or at least the feelings will be more manageable). You will realize your strengths which all are greater than your strongest weakness. Because let's face it, you are here still. Your strength has to be greater than all your weaknesses combined because you are still living.
So recognize those strengths. Take a minute. Think about something that just happened. You usually think about how it made you feel...be versatile...think about the start and what dictated the feeling to arise then think about why you or the other person ended it. What was your strength that got you through it? It can be as simple as not re-stocking the toilet paper and someone getting upset, or it can be way more complex. When you think about what dictates the certain feeling to arise, you will say because I don't like it when this happens as an effect of this. The cause and effect is a process that you have to think about for everything in life. In my opinion, cause and effect does not set it till your twenties. Being indifferent to the effect is your greatest downfall! So recognize your weaknesses and how your strengths counteract them. When you truly think about all the pressures you are facing as a post college person, recognize that you were just recently prepared for your start in the workplace. You have a "superior" person who judges all your moves, and more often than not, does NOT give you the benefit of the doubt. The biggest advice I can give you, besides not starting your own business, is to never become indifferent to your tasks.
The current job I am at, I absolutely love! However, I recently realized most of the reasons as to why my previous job was not right for me. By completely changing to a new job environment, I recognized my strengths. I don't think that you need to change your current job as a young post college graduate to find a job where you can recognize your strengths, but you do need to recognize your strengths so that you can always seek the most efficient and most versatile way to complete a task or product.
I wish I could tell you that learning how to master the workplace is as easy as the first time you dispute a grade with your college professor, but it is not. Just do not become indifferent. You are so much more than indifference. You are the difference. You would not have been hired, and never will be hired until you recognize that simple statement: You are the difference.
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Sunday, September 1, 2013
Guidance: He always said if this is the hardest thing that we have to go through we are going to be more than fine in life
Ephesians 3:16-19
"I Pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge - that you may be filed to measure of all the fullness of God."
This year I have truly put my faith in the Holy Spirit. As I reflect on all the good things that I received, I come to the realization of how limitless the spirit of God really is. He is so good to me! In order to really look at how my life has benefited from the Holy Spirit and God, I have to travel back in time to June 29th, 2012, when I jumped on a plane to Houston, TX. I had just finished taking the LSAT about a week and half earlier, and I was eager to see Josh. The plane arrived late in the evening with all my luggage.
Earlier that week, my parents had informed me that I either move out or start paying rent. I had come home to study for the LSAT for about a month and a half. After the exam, I needed to decide what I was going to do. So I decided to pack my bags and move back to CO.
As, Mr. Bob Roth elaborately stated in one of his articles titled, Are You Raising A Self-Sufficient Student?, ..."children who are more mature listen carefully, analyze information, see other points of view, use good judgment, see the big picture, make sacrifices, help their friends and do the right thing. These students respect their parents and value their opinions and suggestions. Self-sufficient students display a maturity beyond their age." In my parents views, self-sufficient means also being independent financially. I didn't want to pay my parents rent, nor did I want to stay in a house as an unwanted invitee, so I quickly packed up my items.
Now my parents are generous. I grew up knowing that generosity comes with sacrifice. I was taught to save so that I could always provide myself with the basics. Saving my money taught me to cherish the simple moments like the sunshine, the wind rustling the tree leaves, an embrace of a loved one that you have not seen for a while, and the like. Most moments that we cherish and memories that we have do not center around specific things, but rather people. What I mean is that, in the end, no matter how things or items you are able to purchase, how much stuff you can accumulate, the moments with the people, nature, and animals are the only things that you truly collect. You should savor all the moments in which you have stepped out of your life and thought about who you are and who you've been so you can become closer to who you should be.
I have so many moments that I cherish, but I want to go over specifically my moments within this past year. Getting back to June 29th 2012, I stepped out of the Houston Airport Baggage Claim late in the evening, in search of a person I had never met. Josh was not able to arrive until the next morning. So he had a friend pick me up. I will never forget how relieved I was to see Rusty waving. He had parked behind the second lane pickup stop, not realizing how much luggage I had till he saw it spew all over the paved median. I had packed my entire closet so that I could attempt to move back to CO. I just stood there laughing at myself - of course, you should never pack more than you can carry, but then again how are you going to move across country completely financially independent. I tell you how, cheaply. You spend your savings on two extra luggage bags to be tossed onto a plane. I knew why Josh was friends with Rusty he is a great easy going guy and that honestly was exactly who I needed to pick me up from that crazy busy Houston Airport.
The next morning, started off great! I met Josh's mom and B-Man. His mom and Bernie are amazing. I am forever grateful to that wonderful day that they arrived to pick me up and take me to the airport to see Josh. I will never forget seeing him walk out of the arrival area. He was so happy to see me! You see earlier that evening Josh drove from 1am after working about an eight hour shift to Denver arriving around 4am to the Denver airport. He boarded the plane at 6am and arrived around 11am. Can you imagine? God protected him all the way to the airport. As I think of all that could have happened, all that did happen was way better than I could have ever imagined it!
Later that afternoon, I met almost everyone at Pappadeaux's. Josh's mom side of the family is so lively and sweet, oh! and most importantly, funny! The weekend became even more sweet when I met Josh's Dad and Janie. His dad always carries a smile and laughs so heartfully. In fact, all Josh's Aunts and Uncles on Janie's side were full of smiles, kind and encouraging words and fun stories. Everyone that I met had witty anecdotes mixed with loving comments - everyone including Josh's friends were full of just goodness.
Josh was born into the Jackpot when it comes to family. But most importantly, I had hit the Jackpot of Guys when it comes to Josh. As I reminisce on all the stories from his family and friends, it seems like Josh got the best from all his family and friends.
After that weekend, I was so excited to move back to CO. I "temporarily" moved in with Josh, which was never the plan, but God had a plan. I tried to find work as soon as possible. I rushed into a job that was futile and plainly not right, but God decided to open the door to a job, where I was warmly welcomed. The job was business based. I was blessed with a business trip to Chicago and learned all about setting up a business - extremely important. God was just paving the path for me. The living situation for Josh and I was hard. We had a roommate situation that was not ideal, but Josh always had faith and hope. I cannot tell you how important that is. Josh is the most faithful person I know. He believes that everything is always going to work out. He always said if this is the hardest thing that we have to go through we are going to be more than fine in life. We are fine, thank God and thank all those who lovingly helped us.
What Josh and I have been through is nowhere near hard, but I had just left all my comforts. I left my family in Wisconsin, and I had left knowing that I was termed "financially independent." I did not know how different it would be to not be able to call my dad or mom and say how tough things. If I did call my dad, I would get the answer, "you will figure it out. This is only going to help you grow." I kept fighting that statement. Thinking, "how does being financially independent, but not stable help you grow?" Finally, in December, I moved out to my own place. I had new challenges, but I was proud that I could provide for myself. I was proud that I could buy Christmas presents. God provided for me and in return, I gave back to him. I wanted to be able to give to others and I wanted to have as many moments filled with unconditional love as possible.
Every great memory that I have with Josh revolves around the two of us doing and making things possible so that we can enjoy being surrounded by all those that we love and cherish. From the walks, the free summer concerts, the holidays, the birthdays, the weddings, the bike rides, trips to visit those that we love, the car rides, to the little things like the pictures of the sunsets that he takes, the grocery store trips, sitting out in the warm sun together, God provided all those experiences for us to enjoy together. I am so thankful for God and he really is limitless. There are so many experiences even within the past month like asking God to see Cary one more time and I got the chance before she passed, asking God to keep Josh safe so that I could see him for his 29th Birthday in 2012, asking for the chance to see my sister this past summer, and even asking God to help me throw a birthday party that Josh would enjoy for his 30th. He gave me all of Josh's family and friends.
Everytime I have prayed to God and said God please help me, I have no idea how to do this. I don't know what to do. God always provides and he provides me more than I could ever imagine. I sit down to write a blog today, and I feel so thankful that all the people whom I have had the beautiful opportunity to meet within this past year are so blessed and I pray that you are given an abundance because you truly have made an impression in my life - a very good impression. Thank you again for your sincere kindness, genuineness, and love. I pray that Josh and I will someday soon be able to give and provide just as generously as you have taught us so that the cycle never ends.
"I Pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge - that you may be filed to measure of all the fullness of God."
This year I have truly put my faith in the Holy Spirit. As I reflect on all the good things that I received, I come to the realization of how limitless the spirit of God really is. He is so good to me! In order to really look at how my life has benefited from the Holy Spirit and God, I have to travel back in time to June 29th, 2012, when I jumped on a plane to Houston, TX. I had just finished taking the LSAT about a week and half earlier, and I was eager to see Josh. The plane arrived late in the evening with all my luggage.
Earlier that week, my parents had informed me that I either move out or start paying rent. I had come home to study for the LSAT for about a month and a half. After the exam, I needed to decide what I was going to do. So I decided to pack my bags and move back to CO.
As, Mr. Bob Roth elaborately stated in one of his articles titled, Are You Raising A Self-Sufficient Student?, ..."children who are more mature listen carefully, analyze information, see other points of view, use good judgment, see the big picture, make sacrifices, help their friends and do the right thing. These students respect their parents and value their opinions and suggestions. Self-sufficient students display a maturity beyond their age." In my parents views, self-sufficient means also being independent financially. I didn't want to pay my parents rent, nor did I want to stay in a house as an unwanted invitee, so I quickly packed up my items.
Now my parents are generous. I grew up knowing that generosity comes with sacrifice. I was taught to save so that I could always provide myself with the basics. Saving my money taught me to cherish the simple moments like the sunshine, the wind rustling the tree leaves, an embrace of a loved one that you have not seen for a while, and the like. Most moments that we cherish and memories that we have do not center around specific things, but rather people. What I mean is that, in the end, no matter how things or items you are able to purchase, how much stuff you can accumulate, the moments with the people, nature, and animals are the only things that you truly collect. You should savor all the moments in which you have stepped out of your life and thought about who you are and who you've been so you can become closer to who you should be.
I have so many moments that I cherish, but I want to go over specifically my moments within this past year. Getting back to June 29th 2012, I stepped out of the Houston Airport Baggage Claim late in the evening, in search of a person I had never met. Josh was not able to arrive until the next morning. So he had a friend pick me up. I will never forget how relieved I was to see Rusty waving. He had parked behind the second lane pickup stop, not realizing how much luggage I had till he saw it spew all over the paved median. I had packed my entire closet so that I could attempt to move back to CO. I just stood there laughing at myself - of course, you should never pack more than you can carry, but then again how are you going to move across country completely financially independent. I tell you how, cheaply. You spend your savings on two extra luggage bags to be tossed onto a plane. I knew why Josh was friends with Rusty he is a great easy going guy and that honestly was exactly who I needed to pick me up from that crazy busy Houston Airport.
The next morning, started off great! I met Josh's mom and B-Man. His mom and Bernie are amazing. I am forever grateful to that wonderful day that they arrived to pick me up and take me to the airport to see Josh. I will never forget seeing him walk out of the arrival area. He was so happy to see me! You see earlier that evening Josh drove from 1am after working about an eight hour shift to Denver arriving around 4am to the Denver airport. He boarded the plane at 6am and arrived around 11am. Can you imagine? God protected him all the way to the airport. As I think of all that could have happened, all that did happen was way better than I could have ever imagined it!
Later that afternoon, I met almost everyone at Pappadeaux's. Josh's mom side of the family is so lively and sweet, oh! and most importantly, funny! The weekend became even more sweet when I met Josh's Dad and Janie. His dad always carries a smile and laughs so heartfully. In fact, all Josh's Aunts and Uncles on Janie's side were full of smiles, kind and encouraging words and fun stories. Everyone that I met had witty anecdotes mixed with loving comments - everyone including Josh's friends were full of just goodness.
Josh was born into the Jackpot when it comes to family. But most importantly, I had hit the Jackpot of Guys when it comes to Josh. As I reminisce on all the stories from his family and friends, it seems like Josh got the best from all his family and friends.
After that weekend, I was so excited to move back to CO. I "temporarily" moved in with Josh, which was never the plan, but God had a plan. I tried to find work as soon as possible. I rushed into a job that was futile and plainly not right, but God decided to open the door to a job, where I was warmly welcomed. The job was business based. I was blessed with a business trip to Chicago and learned all about setting up a business - extremely important. God was just paving the path for me. The living situation for Josh and I was hard. We had a roommate situation that was not ideal, but Josh always had faith and hope. I cannot tell you how important that is. Josh is the most faithful person I know. He believes that everything is always going to work out. He always said if this is the hardest thing that we have to go through we are going to be more than fine in life. We are fine, thank God and thank all those who lovingly helped us.
What Josh and I have been through is nowhere near hard, but I had just left all my comforts. I left my family in Wisconsin, and I had left knowing that I was termed "financially independent." I did not know how different it would be to not be able to call my dad or mom and say how tough things. If I did call my dad, I would get the answer, "you will figure it out. This is only going to help you grow." I kept fighting that statement. Thinking, "how does being financially independent, but not stable help you grow?" Finally, in December, I moved out to my own place. I had new challenges, but I was proud that I could provide for myself. I was proud that I could buy Christmas presents. God provided for me and in return, I gave back to him. I wanted to be able to give to others and I wanted to have as many moments filled with unconditional love as possible.
Every great memory that I have with Josh revolves around the two of us doing and making things possible so that we can enjoy being surrounded by all those that we love and cherish. From the walks, the free summer concerts, the holidays, the birthdays, the weddings, the bike rides, trips to visit those that we love, the car rides, to the little things like the pictures of the sunsets that he takes, the grocery store trips, sitting out in the warm sun together, God provided all those experiences for us to enjoy together. I am so thankful for God and he really is limitless. There are so many experiences even within the past month like asking God to see Cary one more time and I got the chance before she passed, asking God to keep Josh safe so that I could see him for his 29th Birthday in 2012, asking for the chance to see my sister this past summer, and even asking God to help me throw a birthday party that Josh would enjoy for his 30th. He gave me all of Josh's family and friends.
Everytime I have prayed to God and said God please help me, I have no idea how to do this. I don't know what to do. God always provides and he provides me more than I could ever imagine. I sit down to write a blog today, and I feel so thankful that all the people whom I have had the beautiful opportunity to meet within this past year are so blessed and I pray that you are given an abundance because you truly have made an impression in my life - a very good impression. Thank you again for your sincere kindness, genuineness, and love. I pray that Josh and I will someday soon be able to give and provide just as generously as you have taught us so that the cycle never ends.
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