thank you thursdays

Top Ten Tuesdays, Working Wednesdays, and now Thank You Thursdays.

Why? Because at least once a week, I want to reflect back and give thanks. I need to do that more. Regain perspective and hope.


This week:
Thankful for family. We're figuring it out.

Family takes real work = understatement of the year.

We wanted to book a professional photographer for our family picture this past week because it's the first time our whole family has been together in the same place for more than 10 hours since.... a couple of years now? But it was Christmas weekend and every photographer was booked so we pulled something together on our own in the living room, last minute. True Yun family-style. Wouldn't have it any other way. We figure things out as we go.

Everyone. Christmas Eve 2011

Mom and the kids (homygosh i'm a giant. seriously.)

Just the guys: me, Dad, John at Princeton Battlefield. Where men stand and fight.

and... i just noticed my hair...

my sister's reaction to my new haircut:
"Ermmm......so where did you get your hair cut again?"

... i'm figuring that out too.

that game

I play that game all the time. And whenever I do, the end result is the same. Imagine for a minute: a game where you can know the outcome every single time because it's the same every time. What would that be like?

You know that game.... The Blame Game. Blame - not to be confused with Credit.

It's the one game where I usually start it, and I am the one who can end it any time I choose. It's really up to me.

How to start The Blame Game:
Think: If only ______
Ask: What is wrong with her/him?
Dwell on: Why me?

How to keep the game going:
Claim: He/she/they/you should have _______
Defend: You don't know me.
Explain: You don't understand...

How to end the game:
Take: Full responsibility. No matter what.

Apologize and forgive if necessary.
... it's usually necessary


It's kind of like yelling at the curb after tripping over it. It was already there.


"And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not perceive the plank in your own eye?" - Luke 6:41

full

A friend was sharing with me earlier that he was just tired. Not your everyday, "I could've slept a bit earlier" tired, but... tired. You know, tired.

Tired from working. Tired from worrying. Tired from over-thinking things. Tired from smiling on the outside when you're gasping for breath on the inside. Tired from trying to steer the reins of life and taking control. Tired from trying to prove yourself. That tired.

I'm starting to understand Jesus more and more:

Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep good company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly.
- Matthew 11:28-30 (The Message translation)

I'm thankful that despite my tired condition, I am filled with this unexplainable peace from God.

My heart is full. My soul, at rest.

Working Wednesdays: Co-Workers

A bit of a misnomer, since for now, I have most Wednesdays off from work... but I digress....

Co-workers: Besides my roommates, the people I see most throughout the week.

Usually the first people I see every morning, my co-workers are usually the ones to ask, "How's it going today?" and often the first ones we get to debrief with about what we did last night. "So, what did you last night? What did you do over the weekend?" and bouncing off ideas of what to do next: "What are you up to this weekend?"

I don't think I know anybody who exclusively talks about work-related things at the workplace. Topics of conversation with co-workers include relationship talk, why other co-workers behave(d) a certain way, dreams about our future, explaining how our families are like, why you studied that major in school, describing our hometowns, etc.

The truth is that for most of us we consider life outside of work "real life". So work then becomes this bubble that we desperately try not to mix in with everything else. Work often becomes a departure from "everything else", so it oddly becomes the space in which we can reminisce, reflect and reference our "real lives".

Our relationships with our co-workers may start off as strictly professional, but they usually morph into sounding boards for other aspects of our lives so we can get refocused and re-inspired after work.

The actual work itself can be enjoyable. But even the most enjoyable work - even if it's your "passionate interest" can get old = human nature. That whole, "I love my job! I wake up every morning excited to see what's in store!" .... true - but c'mon now, only on some days.

I had this conversation the other day about the difference between college life and working life (I still live in a college town). Why are college students so fickle and emotional rollercoasters? They're all over the place. It's because their environments are not designed for stability and consistency. That's not necessarily bad - because that makes for the perfect breeding ground for idealism, exploration and creativity.

Something that people get tripped up over in the working life? How structured and mundane and "same old same old" it can get. And one of the key things to getting through the work week? Solid co-workers that you can connect with on a human-level and just be yourself around - especially when your work can make you feel like you're a small gear in a big unrelenting impersonal machine.

What's more important when I'm on a road trip? The actual destination? The weather? Road conditions? Rest stop availabilities? Type of car I'm driving? More than those, it's the passengers I'm with. If life is more about the journey than the destination itself, then what makes for a good journey is good company.

Why do I do what I do? I can say "for God". True. But how did my idea, expression and understanding of God even come into being? Rubbing lots of shoulders with lots of people. Because there were people in my life who got me to where I am today to even allow me to do what I do. Others. It's what keeps me going.

Enjoy and appreciate your co-workers. The reciprocation makes work worth it.