Our lives, mine and yours, are the result of all the day to day choices we have made.  Some were good choices, some were bad, some excellent, some devastating.   Each choice changed our lives forever.

I took a job last month because without it I would not be able to pay rent this month, good choice, right?  It seemed so at the time.  I was excited and I worked very hard to make it into the best job I’d ever had.  Trouble is, other people chose to make things difficult.  I have felt over-worked and under-appreciated, put down and pushed away.  So, I’ve made a new choice.

I’ve prayed for either a break at work (something positive that would tell me to stay there as things got better) or a new job to come my way.  I was pondering my dilemma a few weeks ago when a new friend approached me at church and told me about her workplace.  She made it sound like such a wonderful, peaceful, fulfilling situation that I later went on-line to check it out.  Now, 3 weeks later, I’ve been invited to work there.  I’ll start training next week!

So, while my present job has gone from difficult to ridiculous, my new job is looming on an ever-brightening horizon.  I can’t wait to get there today to fill out Pre-Hire paperwork.  (I’ll see if they ask me to fill out the government questionnaire that I talk about below in ‘Short Handed’). 

The new workplace is large, open, very clean and tastefully decorated.  While there for typing test and interview last week I noticed beautiful murals of oceanside wonderlands on the walls, comfortable chairs and lots of smiling people everywhere.  All conversations sounded upbeat and friendly, no angry looks, barked orders or whispering while glancing around to see who might be listening.  There was even a large, open and inviting break room with an abundance of food and drink items available including a large pan of lasagna and other freshly made (possibly home-made) dishes.

This company has been growing since its inception more than 10 years ago and it’s shown amazing growth in the last year while so many others have gone under.  This is the kind of corporation I want to be part of, a ‘better idea’ company, if you will.

My job will be to answer the phone and take orders for religious materials.  I’ll have a computer prompt to aid me and I’ll be able to do the job quickly and efficiently while conversing with people from all over the world.  No telemarketing what-so-ever, the caller will simply be calling the number on his/her television screen to order the product offered there.  No muss, no fuss.

No more fast-walking up and down hallways, stressed out, trying to get everything done while trying to please too many people.  I can ‘sit this one out’ and save my achy feet and breaky back!  Writing on a computer screen for hours is something I do anyway but now I’ll be paid for it.  It’s a win-win choice.

What about you?  Are you happy and productive in your work place?  Are co-workers friendly and helpful?  How heavy is your work load?  Can you get everything done without rushing or feeling like you didn’t have time to do things well?  Can you truly enjoy your life after work? 

I made a choice to change my workplace and what I do for a living.  Soon I’ll be able to see the ‘ripple effect’ as other areas of my life also change for the better.

Remember:  Today is a Good Day to Have a Great Day by Making Better Choices!  If your life isn't what you want it to be then Move Up, Move Out and Move On!

How many times lately have you heard phrases like:  “I’m sorry, we’re short handed today so it’ll be about 30 minutes to an hour before your order is ready!”

Everywhere I go, from the Allergy Clinic where I get shots twice a week to a pizza place, all of them have claimed recently that they are ‘short handed’.  And usually, they’ll go on to say that some of the staff didn’t come in today, ya-da, ya-da, ya-da. 

What is going on?  I know myself (because I was without a job for 10 long weeks) that there are plenty of willing-to-work people out there who are looking for jobs.  Why aren’t they being hired?

At my new job there aren’t enough of us to get all the work done.  Daily each of us is asked to complete this or that chore that the previous shift didn’t finish or to split the chores of another full time position.  We do the best we can, often skipping much needed breaks, to try to get it all done.  Again I ask why?

I don’t mind washing the dishes if that’s my job for the day but when it’s added to all the duties that are already expected of me, it becomes a burden.  Whether the company won’t hire enough workers to fill all the necessary positions or they’ve hired incompetent, lazy people who don’t even care enough to call in when they don’t show up for work on time, it’s all wrong!

Why are companies hiring less people while demanding that the same work be done each day?  I assume that MONEY is the big reason – they want to make more while paying out less in salaries.  I guess they figure that because there are so many of us unemployed, they can push each worker to the breaking/quitting point because there’s always someone coming in the door to take his/her place.

And, something else is happening!  At hiring, I had to fill out several papers having to do with whether or not I’ve ever gotten government assistance of any kind and asking if I have felony charges against me.  It turns out that companies can get some kind of government assistance or tax break if they hire people that can answer YES to these kinds of questions.  Does that make sense to you?

If you hire someone that has been on or is currently on government subsidies and/or has committed a felony, aren’t you hiring an undesirable worker – one that you can pretty much count on to do less than what is expected  of him/her and who will probably cause trouble among the other workers as well?  Yet companies ARE hiring these people right and left because they think it increases their margin of monetary gain.  Looks like eventual disaster for all concerned to me.

My reality is that I’m an undesirable worker because I’m older, honest and hard-working. The company doesn’t get any government breaks for hiring me.  I’m punished for all the wrong reasons.  I barely got a job and at that job I’m over-worked, underpaid and under-appreciated.  I’m on my feet for 8 hours while others do only a portion of their work assignments then hide and sit out the rest of the shift.  Because I’m a conscientious person and I hate to see the recipients of our labors lacking in basic services, I do things that someone else was hired and paid to do, simply because it needs to be done, usually costing me my much-needed break time.

So there we have it!   Our country is in a mess with no good end in sight!!!

Hatred: Where does it come from?  Why does it exist?  Why do we have to experience the pain of it and fight it daily?

I have a co-worker that seems to absolutely HATE me.  She comes to me daily (even on her days off) to rail at me, making sure that I know just how much she is intimidated by my presence.  She has accused me of a myriad of sins – from stealing the glue to telling everyone that I will be taking over her job, all the while she has been threatening to ‘go to the highest level’ to take away my job.  Last night I said ENOUGH.

No, I didn’t say it to her.

Every time she has insisted on talking to me I have faced her, looked her straight in the eyes, smiled at her, and spoken to her quietly and respectfully.  I haven’t gotten upset or shown any anger whatsoever.  I have not defended myself (nothing to defend) or crumbled under her vehemence.  Yesterday she got so angry she said something like, “I’m under the blood of Jesus where you can’t hurt me” and I thought to myself that I wish she could see that I’m NOT hurting her or threatening her in any way, she is doing it all herself, re-acting only to what is in her own mind.

Later, after I got home, I called our boss.  I politely asked her if I could make some changes in my job.  I asked to be released from a certain department so that I could work more hours/days in the other two I was hired for.  She asked why?  I said that I’d rather not say.  She said I would have to take a cut in pay.  I agreed to that because it’s a small price to pay to cut the stress.

So, today, we’ll see what happens.  Yesterday I knew it would be hard for me to face the hateful person again today but now she has NO authority over me.  I can do my other job, help her and everyone else all that I can and continue to smile.  It will be interesting to see what SHE does.

Look around you!  Think about the words you are about to say and make sure that there’s no anger or ill feeling there.  Be kind in word and deed.  Smile and say I love you.  Freely hug and freely you will be hugged.  Enjoy the people around you so that they can enjoy you.  Speak well of everyone.  Let’s all live a better, happier life, one day at a time!  Let's eradicate the disease HATRED!

What’s going on in your world today?  Do you have a good job?  Are your bills paid on time with money to spare?  Are you happy with who you are, what you’re doing and the people around you?

My new job has been a blessing and a trial.  It is physically challenging to vacuum long hallways and common areas, set up the tables for dinner, wash and put away all the dishes for more than 40 people plus setting up the tables for breakfast then cleaning the kitchen and dining areas.  I can handle all of that because I also get to spend time with the residents, serving their drinks, dinner plates and deserts plus personally feeding 3 of them who can’t help themselves.  Also, two days a week I’m the Activities Director which means I get to talk with groups of them, share musical events, and do Art/creative projects.  I am so enjoying getting to know each and every one of them.  What beautiful people they are!  

The money I make is good but hey, is it ever enough?  I may have to cut some corners here and there but I can do that.  My life can be boiled down to what is absolutely necessary and ONLY that, if need be.

My circle of friends is growing as I get to know staff members, residents and others who’ve crossed my path and life is getting better because I am fulfilling my role in this world.  I’m happier now with who I am and where I’m going in life.  I’m looking forward to good times and I’ll be a little stronger when sadness and strife come ‘round again.  GOD is good and I’m trying to be.

Now for you, dear reader, what areas of your life can you improve?  How can your tomorrows be brighter?  Do you trust in the ONE who can bring you all that you need and the good things in life you want?  If we’re there WITH HIM, HE is there FOR US!

Remember, as my dear departed friend Bill Fowler used to say, “Today is a GOOD DAY to have a GREAT DAY!”  Stay warm and well.