Each day of the week that I'm going into work, I stop at one of my favorite coffee shops - The Seattle Drip. I've been going there for some time now. Years actually, thanks to a tip from my best friend & sister Andie! You can't meet better people, or get better coffee in my opinion.
Every time I pull up, I'm greeted with a cheerful smile, and feel genuinely appreciated for showing up to buy coffee. And the employees are great listeners. Whether I'm having a rough start, or a calm morning, I always find someone who seems happy to see me, fixes me the perfect cup of coffee, and listens to whatever meaningless or meaningful chatter I'm putting out there.
I've felt a lot of inspiration from this group over the years. There is always a flier for a community event up for the customers to preview (right now it's Sandi Patti). Every Christmas, there are reminders about donating to the less fortunate. This week it's a reminder to donate to Southern Pines Animal Shelter! Jake (an employee there) and his dog will participate in the Doggie Dash on Saturday to benefit the shelter. Nevermind the employees who share tidbits of their own lives & generosity that remind me to be more generous than my greedy heart would be on its own.
If you've not been to The Seattle Drip, go there! Ask for a Jenn Special and tell 'em Kristin sent you. You won't be disappointed!
Friday, November 21, 2008
Thursday, November 20, 2008
A Giving Heart
As you can probably tell by now, when I latch on to a subject, I hold on for dear life. Let's beat the horse dead........and then maybe beat it some more.
I'm still thinking about the turkeys from my previous post. I've been thinking about the turkeys and the injustice for 3 days now. And then this morning, an epiphany. Maybe I need to quit grumbling about the darn turkeys, and do something instead.
You're probably thinking what is her problem? It's just turkeys. But after a convicting Bible Study this week and a reminder of that conviction at my favorite coffee shop (The Seattle Drip - if you don't go there you really should), I've decided I need to regroup.
Why am I waiting on others to help remedy or alleviate the grave injustices of the world? Instead of harping on the turkeys, maybe I should donate mine to a needy family, or to the fellow who lost his job and instead of continuing to groan about it later on, days later in fact, make radical changes for the better.
I took my first step down this road sooner than I realized. Totally God's doing. While I was still grumbling about the turkeys earlier this week, I decided after downing about a zillion bottles of water, to recycle them. And upon arriving at home that night, managed to round up a whole bag of plastic containers that could be recycled. Help the planet...way to go! And this morning, a very kind worker at The Seattle Drip, asked for a donation to the Southern Pines Animal Shelter who is hosting a run this weekend - 1 mile, you and your dog! Which reminded me that I used to be a regular donator of food and funds to this amazing establishment. The key - USED TO BE. What has happened? So I quickly emptied my purse of all its funds (which I'm sad to say was 6$ in coins and a few ones) for the greater good. As I continued to drive to work, I couldn't help but think of all the opportunities there are to help or volunteer in our community, and I pass on them all the time. What about Habitat for Humanity? What about visiting the elderly in the hospital? What about donating that food you always used to for the animal shelter?
Pray that I will get my act together and focus on what is really important in life. And just maybe, reduce the time I spend on grumbling about pitiful crap, and get out there and help. Help the planet, help mankind, and help my soul.
I'm still thinking about the turkeys from my previous post. I've been thinking about the turkeys and the injustice for 3 days now. And then this morning, an epiphany. Maybe I need to quit grumbling about the darn turkeys, and do something instead.
You're probably thinking what is her problem? It's just turkeys. But after a convicting Bible Study this week and a reminder of that conviction at my favorite coffee shop (The Seattle Drip - if you don't go there you really should), I've decided I need to regroup.
Why am I waiting on others to help remedy or alleviate the grave injustices of the world? Instead of harping on the turkeys, maybe I should donate mine to a needy family, or to the fellow who lost his job and instead of continuing to groan about it later on, days later in fact, make radical changes for the better.
I took my first step down this road sooner than I realized. Totally God's doing. While I was still grumbling about the turkeys earlier this week, I decided after downing about a zillion bottles of water, to recycle them. And upon arriving at home that night, managed to round up a whole bag of plastic containers that could be recycled. Help the planet...way to go! And this morning, a very kind worker at The Seattle Drip, asked for a donation to the Southern Pines Animal Shelter who is hosting a run this weekend - 1 mile, you and your dog! Which reminded me that I used to be a regular donator of food and funds to this amazing establishment. The key - USED TO BE. What has happened? So I quickly emptied my purse of all its funds (which I'm sad to say was 6$ in coins and a few ones) for the greater good. As I continued to drive to work, I couldn't help but think of all the opportunities there are to help or volunteer in our community, and I pass on them all the time. What about Habitat for Humanity? What about visiting the elderly in the hospital? What about donating that food you always used to for the animal shelter?
Pray that I will get my act together and focus on what is really important in life. And just maybe, reduce the time I spend on grumbling about pitiful crap, and get out there and help. Help the planet, help mankind, and help my soul.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde
So I'm not one for being the flag waver for unjustice in the world. Only my own small grumblings that don't really matter in the grand scheme of things. But this week I'm feeling the pain of my own life's ambitions. Of course, right now our economy is bad. Everyone is tightening the belt. Our new slogan at work is "Cut Expenses". Normally, I'm not the kind of person who gets upset by cutting expenses. In fact, I love to find places to cut the fat. However, I've also been on the flip side of this equation, twice, which is why right now I'm having a hard time making peace with the issue at hand.
Cut expenses. I'm on board. But let's really eliminate wasteful spending. Let's really cut some fat, especially where the company as a whole won't feel it. And don't limit the cuts to a handful of areas. Across the board. I agree. But last week we cut ONE employee, in ONE department. Now, I'm happy I still have a job to come to -- because I've been that guy cut last week........no warning.....no notice...just kaput....no more job...no more income...how are we going to eat...that kind of cut. But this week, we are still giving out Thanksgiving turkeys. REALLY!?!?!?!?!? Are we REALLY cutting expenses? I'm just thinking that the cost of all these turkeys, would have kept the nice fellow with a family in a job for at least one more week if not possibly 2 at his current wages. I so relate to the poor soul who is now unemployed and waiting on his umemployment check (which never arrives quickly).
Maybe at this point you're asking what this post has to do with it's title. Only the fact that I spent several years in business school, learning to be cold, callussed, cutthroat and quick about making decisions that are best for the company, including saving $$$. After which I decided to dedicate another year, on a more advanced degree, reaffirming what I spent the last 4 years learning. Only to begin a job, where everything I learned became applicable........until 4 more years later when I became expendable. Expendable because I was single, with no family, and had enough education to begin again.
Quick, cutthroat, th.th.th.that's all folks!
Ok. But I was single...without a family...and educated.......and the person who got to keep his job was none of those things. It was quick, it did feel cold, but the company did make the best decision, not only for the corporation, but for the people who were dedicated to working there.
I have the utmost respect for my current employer. But this is one decision where I'm kind of frustrated and angry. Was this really the best decision, when it came to cutting expenses, to feed the rest of the ungrateful flock, while we leave one man down, during the holidays, with a family and no job. Just FOOD for thought.
Cut expenses. I'm on board. But let's really eliminate wasteful spending. Let's really cut some fat, especially where the company as a whole won't feel it. And don't limit the cuts to a handful of areas. Across the board. I agree. But last week we cut ONE employee, in ONE department. Now, I'm happy I still have a job to come to -- because I've been that guy cut last week........no warning.....no notice...just kaput....no more job...no more income...how are we going to eat...that kind of cut. But this week, we are still giving out Thanksgiving turkeys. REALLY!?!?!?!?!? Are we REALLY cutting expenses? I'm just thinking that the cost of all these turkeys, would have kept the nice fellow with a family in a job for at least one more week if not possibly 2 at his current wages. I so relate to the poor soul who is now unemployed and waiting on his umemployment check (which never arrives quickly).
Maybe at this point you're asking what this post has to do with it's title. Only the fact that I spent several years in business school, learning to be cold, callussed, cutthroat and quick about making decisions that are best for the company, including saving $$$. After which I decided to dedicate another year, on a more advanced degree, reaffirming what I spent the last 4 years learning. Only to begin a job, where everything I learned became applicable........until 4 more years later when I became expendable. Expendable because I was single, with no family, and had enough education to begin again.
Quick, cutthroat, th.th.th.that's all folks!
Ok. But I was single...without a family...and educated.......and the person who got to keep his job was none of those things. It was quick, it did feel cold, but the company did make the best decision, not only for the corporation, but for the people who were dedicated to working there.
I have the utmost respect for my current employer. But this is one decision where I'm kind of frustrated and angry. Was this really the best decision, when it came to cutting expenses, to feed the rest of the ungrateful flock, while we leave one man down, during the holidays, with a family and no job. Just FOOD for thought.
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