I'll Still Dread the Job AFTER the 4th of July

'Happiness is like a butterfly which, when pursued, is always beyond our grasp, but, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you.'

Nathaniel Hawthorne

As we near the end of the 4th of July holiday weekend, you may begin thinking about the job, and dreading that inevitable return on Monday. I'm here to help you take the edge off.

One of many things I've utilized to temper that hate-hate relationship I have with the job is to spread my own brand of what my children call 'lame' sunshine in my own way. I have nicknamed all of my group members except for the one who came with her own already in place. Here goes:

Fearless leader, Out of Office/Auto Reply - These 2 names I assigned to the manager whom I like, for a change. Whenever I send her an e mail and she is present, I get this 'out of office/auto reply' response.

My Girl - My Girl is assistant to the manager and often has to serve in the uncomfortable position of being a buffer between the manager and employees. She probably doesn't know it, but she's also my therapist and vice-president of the all-you-can-eat Brownie Club. I am the club's president.

One Sheet - Our office job results in the use of lots and lots of paper, except for this guy, one of my oldest and dearest friends. He is like a brother to me, always a gentleman, a church man, a family man; and always spreading good cheer. It's amazing that he confines all of a day's work to One Sheet, no more than 2, at the end of any given day.

Fassie aka Ms. Thang-a-lang - This is the black history expert of the group. And when I say she's fast, I mean she has a seductive quality about her that the men find hard to resist. I like giving her the evil eye when I see her socializing in the workplace. What the heck? She can't help it. The men are captivated.

The Question Man - This guy is so bright and seems to quickly grasp difficult concepts in a comprehensive and highly technical job; and he's relatively new. He earned his name by asking questions that he has already thoroughly researched. It can be annoying and endearing. Get well soon!

Lil Kim - Like Fassie, Lil Kim balances being a college student with gainful employment. She is intelligent and oh so quiet. In other words she's absolutely nothing like the rapper!

Daughter-in-law - I picked her especially for my son. She is a no nonsense girl who doesn't take any junk from anyone. She'd be just perfect for my time-to-get-out-of-my-house son.

Aretha aka En Vouge - This girl commands respect with quiet dignity and class. She slices the rudest customers down to size and leaves them whimpering like puppies. Unfortunately most of the callers are too unintelligent to even know they've been 'dissed'.

My Child - This one earned the name because she reminds me so much of my own child. She absolutely detests that I would even say this, and that makes her more dear. She is brilliant, well-educated and knowledgeable on many subjects without being a snob. I like these qualities, because I, too, possess the same qualities; BUT I can be a real -ss about it.

My Cherie Amour - She is another of the smart young girls. She smiles and hugs me every day. I admire her greatly for successfully battling some major health challenges.

The Sisterhood:

My Sunshine - She is so dear to me and always so cheerful! Along with the other two sisters (below), she helps us to keep the young girls in line. I plan to devote a full blog just to her, because she is special to me personally.

Ms. T/Smileawhile - T came on board with her nickname already in place. She, too, spreads her own brand of cheer with her smile AND with her culinary skills.

Miss Cleo (Call me now for a psychic reading) - Don't let the nickname fool you. It has nothing to do with psychic anything. KB will have to reveal this one herself!

So you may hate the job, but find somebody to love there. It is possible. It is

'doable'. And until God moves you out, it can make that job bearable!

Peace!

Shine!

When I was growing up in the church and even now, there's an upbeat song that we do called 'This Little Light of Mine. I'm Gonna Let it Shine.' I was always encouraged by my parents and by the church to shine in my work AND play. It surely helps keep the attitude from deteriorating into a badttitude. Feel me?

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When my brother and I were growing up in the 1970's, our father's favorite Earth, Wind and Fire song was 'Shining Star'. Remember that repetitive refrain at the end? 'Shining star for you to see what your life can truly be!' Yeah!


Here's Barack Obama's take on shining:
'Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We a re all meant to shine, as children do. We are born to make mani fest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us, it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.'
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Wow! I couldn't have said it better myself, except to add Shine on People, Shine!

Life is a Bowl of Cherries and No Pits

No matter how bad things seemed, this was always my father's cheerful response. He was a great man who suffered from severe illnesses and NEVER complained.

Over the past 2 weeks here's what has happened to me:

My number one uncle died after a lengthy illness. His funeral was befitting a dignitary, as he touched MANY lives as an educator, counselor and principal.

My always self-centered mother made this particular gathering all about her, even from a wheelchair.

The gas light in my car came on.

I was pounded with past-due bills and other similarly threatening letters.

What's a pro-peace blogger to do?

Well, I start off listening to classical music. I especially like Borodin, Rimsky-Korsakov, you know, the Russians. And then I thank God for the best darned brother in the world. He can tell a funny joke a day with no repeats. My delivery sucks, but here goes:

A Georgia boy gained entrance into the hallowed halls of Harvard. (Notice that alliteration?) And since Georgia is my home, this story is not outside the realm of possibility). He walked up on two Ivy league, sweatered types and asked:

'Howdy. Do either of you know where the cafeteria is at?' To which one Ivy leaguer quipped, 'It would be behind the preposition.'

The country boy's response?: 'Oh, I'm sorry. Do you know where the cafeteria is, asshole.?'

Praying and living in Peace!

Think Happy Thoughts!

Hi there! Are you feeling what I'm feeling? I don't know. Lately I've felt a little lame and out of sorts. There's a negativity that is permeating the universe, and I'm feeling it in traffic, at home, at work and sometimes even at church.

I just want you to know that there are ways to combat this negativity. My late father used to advise: think happy thoughts. WHAT? How does one do this? I'll tell you how --- with daily practice and INTENSE concentration.

Know what I do? I sing. I laugh. I pray. I imagine that I'm somewhere I really want to be. Instead of thinking about those career failures, I think about how much those failures have enhanced me, preparing me for exactly where I'm going to be in a positive way. Hey, the possibilities are endless. Start practicing right now. You can do it.

Praying for Peace!