Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Friday, July 25, 2008
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
what you don't expect
A little story about life.
It was my first day at my new job and I was a bit overwhelmed. And yes, it was only the morning, I hadn't even gotten to work yet. There were higher expectations with this new position, more people to work with, a more highly structured company and longer working hours. I had no idea what to expect to be honest, but if you talked to me at the time, I welcomed the change. As much as I looked forward to the newness, I wasn't prepared. And that is generally the nature of new stuff.
So, there I am, adjusting minute by minute. I got to deal with, for the first of many times, public transportation and all of it's wonders. I get off in downtown San Francisco, which is organized chaos on a weekday. Everyone knew where they were going and what they were doing, except for maybe myself.
Regardless, I head to my building. I stop in the lobby to make sure I'm going to the correct floor, which causes the doorman to notice me. He asks where I'm going and confirms the floor.
Mind you, it's also my new company's first day in San Francisco as well; they had just relocated their office from a different city. I expected to walk in on disorganization for my first day. So, as I'm riding up the elevator, I try to calm my nerves and tell myself it really will be okay. The elevator car pulls up to my floor, stops, the doors swing open and...
...there's a bunny handing out roses. Someone was dressed up as a bunny, welcoming all the employees to the new office.
That day and that situation really go to show that sometimes you get what you don't expect. It's like that saying "practice random acts of kindness and senseless acts of bunny" or something along those lines. But seriously, sometimes we are blessed enough to have things thrown into our paths that remind us that it's all going to be okay. Single moments have the power to change the course of our mood or our day. For that I am grateful. Now I have that moment to look back on as something great and I have a good story to tell about my first day at work.
Consider what you didn't expect in your own life; share them here in the comments. We all have them; it's just a matter of recognizing them.
It was my first day at my new job and I was a bit overwhelmed. And yes, it was only the morning, I hadn't even gotten to work yet. There were higher expectations with this new position, more people to work with, a more highly structured company and longer working hours. I had no idea what to expect to be honest, but if you talked to me at the time, I welcomed the change. As much as I looked forward to the newness, I wasn't prepared. And that is generally the nature of new stuff.
So, there I am, adjusting minute by minute. I got to deal with, for the first of many times, public transportation and all of it's wonders. I get off in downtown San Francisco, which is organized chaos on a weekday. Everyone knew where they were going and what they were doing, except for maybe myself.
Regardless, I head to my building. I stop in the lobby to make sure I'm going to the correct floor, which causes the doorman to notice me. He asks where I'm going and confirms the floor.
Mind you, it's also my new company's first day in San Francisco as well; they had just relocated their office from a different city. I expected to walk in on disorganization for my first day. So, as I'm riding up the elevator, I try to calm my nerves and tell myself it really will be okay. The elevator car pulls up to my floor, stops, the doors swing open and...
...there's a bunny handing out roses. Someone was dressed up as a bunny, welcoming all the employees to the new office.
That day and that situation really go to show that sometimes you get what you don't expect. It's like that saying "practice random acts of kindness and senseless acts of bunny" or something along those lines. But seriously, sometimes we are blessed enough to have things thrown into our paths that remind us that it's all going to be okay. Single moments have the power to change the course of our mood or our day. For that I am grateful. Now I have that moment to look back on as something great and I have a good story to tell about my first day at work.
Consider what you didn't expect in your own life; share them here in the comments. We all have them; it's just a matter of recognizing them.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Who is your neighbor?
I've been observing much about human nature lately, thanks to the wonderfulness of a commute on BART each day. Believe me, the experience has made me think a lot about how we act and interact and has also been teaching me again the lesson of patience (which is a whole different conversation).
This particular instance is from a month or so ago...
A lot of people are very confused by the system: which train to catch, which station we're on, etc. One day a couple rushed onto the train, pulling their rolling luggage behind them. They had decided on the last minute that this must be the right train for where they're going. But then, once inside, realized they were wrong, turned to get off, and were met with the doors swiftly shut in their faces.
Now, I don't know where they were trying to go or where they were coming from. But it seemed they were embarking on vacation (luggage in tow and all) which I know is a whole frenzied rush, and coupled with trying to take BART to the airport, which I've heard can be frustrating.
Next stop comes, they disembark, obviously still looking around trying to get a handle on where they are and how to get where they're trying to go. However, instead of asking someone on the full train or on the platform they got off on, they timidly cross to the other side, hoping for the best I suppose.
It got me thinking about this thing in human nature that makes many of us avoid asking a stranger for help. This couple was obviously confused, and yet decided to keep doing what they're doing, traveling in the wrong directions seeking their destination. A short conversation would have helped them completely but it didn't happen.
So then consider the thought of "who is your neighbor?" Who should you be helping, no matter how small the assistance? The idea applies to those you live next door to or down the street from, in the name of building a strong community. But I think it also applies to our fellow man as well. Everyone should be considered your neighbor, everyone is worthy of your help if you can help them.
I wish that more people felt comfortable asking help from others, even if they are strangers. And I hope that each of us, including myself, will be willing to help someone who looks like they can use a little bit of help.
This particular instance is from a month or so ago...
A lot of people are very confused by the system: which train to catch, which station we're on, etc. One day a couple rushed onto the train, pulling their rolling luggage behind them. They had decided on the last minute that this must be the right train for where they're going. But then, once inside, realized they were wrong, turned to get off, and were met with the doors swiftly shut in their faces.
Now, I don't know where they were trying to go or where they were coming from. But it seemed they were embarking on vacation (luggage in tow and all) which I know is a whole frenzied rush, and coupled with trying to take BART to the airport, which I've heard can be frustrating.
Next stop comes, they disembark, obviously still looking around trying to get a handle on where they are and how to get where they're trying to go. However, instead of asking someone on the full train or on the platform they got off on, they timidly cross to the other side, hoping for the best I suppose.
It got me thinking about this thing in human nature that makes many of us avoid asking a stranger for help. This couple was obviously confused, and yet decided to keep doing what they're doing, traveling in the wrong directions seeking their destination. A short conversation would have helped them completely but it didn't happen.
So then consider the thought of "who is your neighbor?" Who should you be helping, no matter how small the assistance? The idea applies to those you live next door to or down the street from, in the name of building a strong community. But I think it also applies to our fellow man as well. Everyone should be considered your neighbor, everyone is worthy of your help if you can help them.
I wish that more people felt comfortable asking help from others, even if they are strangers. And I hope that each of us, including myself, will be willing to help someone who looks like they can use a little bit of help.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Believe Something Big(ger) Series
For those attending the Sunday night service:
We have a new element to the current series "Believe Something Big(ger)" in the form of another blog. This series is being taught at CrossWinds both during the morning services and the evening services.
Many of us know that there are thoughts and questions that go beyond just the message, and the additional blog is a way to enter into discussion with others. I'm encouraging all of us to use that resource as something to continue to flesh out what the messages touch on. Please make use of it and be a voice in the conversation.
Website is www.believesomethingbigger.blogspot.com
We have a new element to the current series "Believe Something Big(ger)" in the form of another blog. This series is being taught at CrossWinds both during the morning services and the evening services.
Many of us know that there are thoughts and questions that go beyond just the message, and the additional blog is a way to enter into discussion with others. I'm encouraging all of us to use that resource as something to continue to flesh out what the messages touch on. Please make use of it and be a voice in the conversation.
Website is www.believesomethingbigger.blogspot.com
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
"Money can't buy happiness"
In the past few days I've been seeing studies about the "general happiness of the world" posted on Yahoo! news. Apparently some association has been monitoring the responses of residents of a number of countries when questioned about their personal happiness levels. First of all, it's interesting that someone has decided to measure the moods of people; it is such a subjective thing to measure.
Within the first paragraph, or even in the teaser blurb, there is also something mentioned about the economy being bad. It is presented often as "in spite of" a slowing economy, people are still happy.
So it led me to wonder, what does that really show?
When I thought about it beyond just data, and an odd study, I thought about the nature of happiness and the economy. Maybe it just "scientifically" proves that happiness is not tied to money or possessions. Most people have heard the saying "money can't buy happiness" and maybe believe it, maybe don't. I've also heard it addressed in the church a lot as well, that followers of Christ should be seeking other things to find true happiness.
Seeing those studies reminded me that happiness and possessions don't go hand-in-hand. Science just seems to be catching up with general opinion.
Within the first paragraph, or even in the teaser blurb, there is also something mentioned about the economy being bad. It is presented often as "in spite of" a slowing economy, people are still happy.
So it led me to wonder, what does that really show?
When I thought about it beyond just data, and an odd study, I thought about the nature of happiness and the economy. Maybe it just "scientifically" proves that happiness is not tied to money or possessions. Most people have heard the saying "money can't buy happiness" and maybe believe it, maybe don't. I've also heard it addressed in the church a lot as well, that followers of Christ should be seeking other things to find true happiness.
Seeing those studies reminded me that happiness and possessions don't go hand-in-hand. Science just seems to be catching up with general opinion.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)