Sunday, March 6, 2011
Working Wednesdays: Collective Meltdown
It's our "busy season" until May or so.
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.
open wide
At the dentist's office:
Dentist: "Open wide... looks like you've got a couple of cracked molars, a developing cavity, and there's heavy wear on your teeth. You grind your teeth at night."
Me: "I do? I had no idea..."
Whoa... first dentist visit in over a year and I have a mouthful of goodies to show for it. And all this time, I actually thought I was doing OK. This is the human condition. We just don't know ourselves very well and it takes someone with a bright light, mirror and a fine-pointed tool to reveal the decay.
This past week, after 20-odd years of brushing my own teeth, I actually learned the proper technique of keeping my teeth clean from the dental hygienist. It's kind of like learning to blow my nose the right way for the first time a few years ago. No joke. Mimicry and following examples will only go so far without proper instruction.
That's the only way to get it right - being willing to admit at any given moment that there is a better way than my own. Then opening my life for examination.
I read this verse today and was reminded that I just don't know myself on many levels, and that someone above me, who is in a better position to judge, can make a better call than I can.
Proverbs 16:2
"People may be pure in their own eyes,
but the Lord examines their motives."
Brush twice. Floss. Every day.
Dentist: "Open wide... looks like you've got a couple of cracked molars, a developing cavity, and there's heavy wear on your teeth. You grind your teeth at night."
Me: "I do? I had no idea..."
Whoa... first dentist visit in over a year and I have a mouthful of goodies to show for it. And all this time, I actually thought I was doing OK. This is the human condition. We just don't know ourselves very well and it takes someone with a bright light, mirror and a fine-pointed tool to reveal the decay.
This past week, after 20-odd years of brushing my own teeth, I actually learned the proper technique of keeping my teeth clean from the dental hygienist. It's kind of like learning to blow my nose the right way for the first time a few years ago. No joke. Mimicry and following examples will only go so far without proper instruction.
That's the only way to get it right - being willing to admit at any given moment that there is a better way than my own. Then opening my life for examination.
I read this verse today and was reminded that I just don't know myself on many levels, and that someone above me, who is in a better position to judge, can make a better call than I can.
Proverbs 16:2
"People may be pure in their own eyes,
but the Lord examines their motives."
Brush twice. Floss. Every day.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Working Wednesdays: Uniforms
I always learn a lot from working. I've been working nearly non-stop, earning wages since I was 11 years old. That's more than half my whole life.
In order: I've worked as a paper boy, neighborhood babysitter, Japanese-style tutor, sushi waiter, men's dress clothes salesman, a professional soldier, gourmet food salesman, security guard, elementary school teacher, library bookshelver, personal assistant to an author, and now I work in an office as part of "client services" (an all-around office assistant/clerk).
This will be my first "Working Wednesdays" post - thoughts, lessons learned, memorable moments and occasional venting from the working life. Most posts will probably be reflective of my current job, and some will be reminiscent of life-long principles learned from previous jobs.
Today, on uniforms:
As soon as you put on a uniform, you represent something outside of yourself. Everything you do, neglect to do, say or forget to say doesn't only reflect you, but the whole company. Putting on a uniform is symbolic, a responsibility, privilege, and burden all wrapped up in a polo shirt. Think about cops. A cop pulled me over in the state of ____ a couple of months ago - I was speeding, and he was a total jerk. Therefore, my impression of ALL the cops in that state? All jerks. Of course that's not true, but that's just the way we think - in categories, labels and neat generalizations. It's easier that way, to stereotype; we don't have to take the extra effort to get to know people as individuals.
Uniforms come loaded with expectations. If I see a paramedic in uniform and need medical attention, guess who I'm going to for help? There's no such thing as "off-duty" when you're in uniform. Another way I've seen this is, in the food courts. Whenever I see the Sbarro guy eating at Teriyaki Boy across the way, I can't help but judge the poor guy and think, "Traitor!" It's stupid, I know, but that dang uniform screws up my perception of people.
Uniforms are also social shields, they work for and against you. When wearing a uniform, you can say/do things that you normally wouldn't do. There's a sense of empowerment and protection that comes with wearing a uniform. The uniform enables me to stay "professional" and even aloof to customers' emotional outbursts. On the other hand, people feel entitled to treat a uniformed person as some kind of emotionless entity, and there are no holds barred in treating someone in uniform as a whipping boy.
In some ways, I'm thankful I don't have to wear a uniform to work these days. Though I'll admit, sometimes I do miss the convenience of not having to worry what I'll wear for the day. So, bottom line of the day? The best part of uniforms for me... not having to do as much laundry.
Stay cool, people. Stay cool.
In order: I've worked as a paper boy, neighborhood babysitter, Japanese-style tutor, sushi waiter, men's dress clothes salesman, a professional soldier, gourmet food salesman, security guard, elementary school teacher, library bookshelver, personal assistant to an author, and now I work in an office as part of "client services" (an all-around office assistant/clerk).
This will be my first "Working Wednesdays" post - thoughts, lessons learned, memorable moments and occasional venting from the working life. Most posts will probably be reflective of my current job, and some will be reminiscent of life-long principles learned from previous jobs.
Today, on uniforms:
As soon as you put on a uniform, you represent something outside of yourself. Everything you do, neglect to do, say or forget to say doesn't only reflect you, but the whole company. Putting on a uniform is symbolic, a responsibility, privilege, and burden all wrapped up in a polo shirt. Think about cops. A cop pulled me over in the state of ____ a couple of months ago - I was speeding, and he was a total jerk. Therefore, my impression of ALL the cops in that state? All jerks. Of course that's not true, but that's just the way we think - in categories, labels and neat generalizations. It's easier that way, to stereotype; we don't have to take the extra effort to get to know people as individuals.
Uniforms come loaded with expectations. If I see a paramedic in uniform and need medical attention, guess who I'm going to for help? There's no such thing as "off-duty" when you're in uniform. Another way I've seen this is, in the food courts. Whenever I see the Sbarro guy eating at Teriyaki Boy across the way, I can't help but judge the poor guy and think, "Traitor!" It's stupid, I know, but that dang uniform screws up my perception of people.
Uniforms are also social shields, they work for and against you. When wearing a uniform, you can say/do things that you normally wouldn't do. There's a sense of empowerment and protection that comes with wearing a uniform. The uniform enables me to stay "professional" and even aloof to customers' emotional outbursts. On the other hand, people feel entitled to treat a uniformed person as some kind of emotionless entity, and there are no holds barred in treating someone in uniform as a whipping boy.
In some ways, I'm thankful I don't have to wear a uniform to work these days. Though I'll admit, sometimes I do miss the convenience of not having to worry what I'll wear for the day. So, bottom line of the day? The best part of uniforms for me... not having to do as much laundry.
Stay cool, people. Stay cool.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
seriously...
I'm blown away how I have come to know such caring, concerned people in my life.
Three things all my relationships with people have in common:
1. My first impression of that person was eventually done away with. (The depth to an individual's character and peculiar growth is indescribable) And whatever new impressions I form of someone are constantly challenged.
2. They made/make the effort to love me for who I am and not for what I do/did.
3. They reached out to me first... and they're much better about keeping in touch than I am.
I read a psychologist's report stating that one of the earliest, most profound realizations a person makes as a young child is that other people are not like her/him. It's that realization I make every season and in every relationship, which deepens my understanding of love. Love of people, and ultimately, the amazing love of God. While I was at the greatest distance and difference from God, He loved me anyway.
I certainly don't deserve these people or their love. Not to say that any of us are without flaws, but this is where love grows. In the realness, nastiness, frustrations, rawness and creative weakness of people - the canvas in which God paints His grace.
I certainly don't deserve these people or their love. Not to say that any of us are without flaws, but this is where love grows. In the realness, nastiness, frustrations, rawness and creative weakness of people - the canvas in which God paints His grace.
seriously, it's not about me...
thank GOD!
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
ReConnect
Getting back to the US, traveling, and going through wedding season has been loads of fun. And it also has been an important time of reconnecting with people.
Even going through my Facebook "friends" is a testament to this. How many FB "friends" do you have on your list, but when looking back, you realize you don't even remember half of them or haven't talked to them in a long time? My aim is not to stay close with every single person I ever meet or be Mr.Popular, but keep in touch with those I've built significant relationships with.
A friend recently told me that "Well, that would make you a typical guy, Joe."
Keeping in touch with people is kind of like the way I learned to march in the Marine Corps. On longer marches (can be more than 10 miles at a time), we'd sometimes just get in one long, single-file line and trudge along at a 3mph pace. If one person in that line loses track or starts slowing down, then the whole line starts to fall behind, bunch up, and get stretched out. That's not good, because on a march, we're on a mission. If the line gets too spread apart because Marines are getting too tired or complacent, then when there's a need for the Marines to gather together quickly, it takes more time and effort to do so versus when everyone is keeping the line and formation tight all along the way.
We even have a "ditty" to ensure we're keeping the line well-connected:
The leader will shout: "AT&T!"
Yea, maybe. But I've decided I'm not giving into that.
Keeping in touch with people is kind of like the way I learned to march in the Marine Corps. On longer marches (can be more than 10 miles at a time), we'd sometimes just get in one long, single-file line and trudge along at a 3mph pace. If one person in that line loses track or starts slowing down, then the whole line starts to fall behind, bunch up, and get stretched out. That's not good, because on a march, we're on a mission. If the line gets too spread apart because Marines are getting too tired or complacent, then when there's a need for the Marines to gather together quickly, it takes more time and effort to do so versus when everyone is keeping the line and formation tight all along the way.
We even have a "ditty" to ensure we're keeping the line well-connected:
The leader will shout: "AT&T!"
Everyone else: "Reach out and touch someone!"
(everyone runs to grab the Marine's shoulder in front of them - sometimes it requires a lot of sprinting to catch up).
The group is always moving forward - it takes hard work to continue on with the mission. The less focus we have in keeping close to each other, the harder we have to work to "catch up".
(everyone runs to grab the Marine's shoulder in front of them - sometimes it requires a lot of sprinting to catch up).
The group is always moving forward - it takes hard work to continue on with the mission. The less focus we have in keeping close to each other, the harder we have to work to "catch up".
In the same way, relationships are too important to just sideline - growth isn't automatic! It takes a real mutual effort for relationships to progress. Simply, as people change, the relationship between both parties must change as well. Otherwise, there will be a disconnect that will only get wider and wider with time and neglect.
It's been a great month of "catching up" with family and friends. I am committed to reconnecting with people I've lost touch with and keeping in touch with those I love.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
ReLax
Last week, I got all my traveling done. I flew into New Jersey to see my family and a couple of friends, flew into Seattle for friends' wedding, stopped by Chicago to catch up with some folks there, then got back into Ann Arbor. It was just awesome catching up with family and friends. A lot has changed and between some friends, we had to get to know each other all over again. I'm starting to understand the significance of what Abe Lincoln said: "Never fall behind on your correspondence".
Although traveling to four cities and three different time zones across the US in 9 days was exhilarating and tiring, it was actually refreshing. The key thing that set the pace of my trip was the message I heard on Sunday, the morning after I landed in New Jersey.
Although traveling to four cities and three different time zones across the US in 9 days was exhilarating and tiring, it was actually refreshing. The key thing that set the pace of my trip was the message I heard on Sunday, the morning after I landed in New Jersey.
The message preached was on the importance of rest - not just doing other things in place of our usual busy-ness, but real rest.
It's been over one month since I returned to the States and I was eager to get back into the swing of things. I should've taken the advice I received and eased into transitioning. I jumped right into serving. It was good on one hand, reconnecting with lots of people, but it was just too much and I definitely overestimated myself.
It was as if I had been used to running at 100 feet above sea level where the air is nice and dense and thick. Then, I was suddenly transported to 1,000 feet above sea level and was trying to run at the same pace in the thinner air - it's much more difficult to do.
It's been over one month since I returned to the States and I was eager to get back into the swing of things. I should've taken the advice I received and eased into transitioning. I jumped right into serving. It was good on one hand, reconnecting with lots of people, but it was just too much and I definitely overestimated myself.
It was as if I had been used to running at 100 feet above sea level where the air is nice and dense and thick. Then, I was suddenly transported to 1,000 feet above sea level and was trying to run at the same pace in the thinner air - it's much more difficult to do.
The past couple of weeks, though full, have been much better. I've had the opportunity to just rest and relax. A good friend told me recently a good piece of advice: "Try to set a pace of life and ministry in which you can see yourself going for the next 10 years."
That doesn't mean complacency and a stagnant life, but one that is focused and full.
Learning to make the most out of every opportunity, especially the brief moments of rest.
Learning to make the most out of every opportunity, especially the brief moments of rest.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
ReAffirm
A dozen Facebook photo albums and a million words still would not do justice to what I've learned and experienced in my year overseas planting an international church. But I'm certain I will regularly reference my year in Indonesia through future posts.
I am back in the United States. Back from one year spent in Indonesia.
Number one question I've been asked in Ann Arbor since I've been "back":
"Is it weird being back?" Hm... I'm guessing this may be an alternative question to "So how was it?"
To answer the question: Yes and no. Yes, there are some things I need to readjust and reacquaint myself with but simply, a year isn't long enough for me to forget American culture that easily. The weirdest part for me is that I returned exactly a year, to the day, from the time that I left America. In the church, the same things are going on: summer missions team is going at it full force, Excel Academy has started, LIFE groups are kicking it. Even the town is similar: the Ann Arbor Art Festival is underway, the weather is the same. So it almost feels like I've never left.
I have been spending a lot of time reconnecting with people and reaffirming my experiences, blessings, and lessons learned by sharing testimonies and finding listening ears to boast about God's goodness this past year.
Being thrown back into the reality of Ann Arbor life, especially since there are many things that are similar to years past, it seems like I've never left. So it is good that I am asked daily about my experiences in Indonesia, lest I forget too quickly. In order to solidify different convictions and lessons, I need to continue to reaffirm the positives and negatives about this past year - that they actually happened, and that they really are good, but not painting an unrealistic picture at the same time.
I am back in the United States. Back from one year spent in Indonesia.
Number one question I've been asked in Ann Arbor since I've been "back":
"Is it weird being back?" Hm... I'm guessing this may be an alternative question to "So how was it?"
To answer the question: Yes and no. Yes, there are some things I need to readjust and reacquaint myself with but simply, a year isn't long enough for me to forget American culture that easily. The weirdest part for me is that I returned exactly a year, to the day, from the time that I left America. In the church, the same things are going on: summer missions team is going at it full force, Excel Academy has started, LIFE groups are kicking it. Even the town is similar: the Ann Arbor Art Festival is underway, the weather is the same. So it almost feels like I've never left.
I have been spending a lot of time reconnecting with people and reaffirming my experiences, blessings, and lessons learned by sharing testimonies and finding listening ears to boast about God's goodness this past year.
Being thrown back into the reality of Ann Arbor life, especially since there are many things that are similar to years past, it seems like I've never left. So it is good that I am asked daily about my experiences in Indonesia, lest I forget too quickly. In order to solidify different convictions and lessons, I need to continue to reaffirm the positives and negatives about this past year - that they actually happened, and that they really are good, but not painting an unrealistic picture at the same time.
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