Qualifications vs Quality

Every once in a while you come across someone so vile that they make you want to resort to things that should only be confined to the realms of the mind. It is unfortunate when these persons seem to be attracted to front line customer service employment. I am often left pondering whether for these persons, the root of their misguided discontent is; having the job, doing the job or for whom the job is done.

It appears that most of these persons want what they cannot have. It is not that what they want is out of reach (although in all honesty it sometimes is) but rather that most persons are not prepared to do what is necessary to attain it. I could deplete a forest for a list of these persons that feel underpaid, overworked, under-ranked etc.

It amazes me that most (not all) of the persons grumbling about salary and job conditions are that ones that are simply not willing do better. It is said that you should not give a man fish but instead teach him how to fish. This adage however does little for the persistent unqualified complainer who would instantly sell the reel, trade the line and tomorrow request that they be upgraded to beef.

Equally appalling is the person with the degree and the job that never seemed possible. These are the ones with self-imposed cataracts resulting from continuous nasal staring. These are the self-appointed experts on everything yet in reality hold a masters of arrogance, ignorance and combined stupidity.

As amazed as I often am with the persistent unqualified complainer, I can barely find the words to sum mate my regards for the over-educated underdeveloped patron whom never misses the opportunity to display obtuse vocal talent.

This year is about me

I have determined that this year will be great. I am committed to my refusal to shed new tears over old griefs. I have devised a basic game plan as to how I will play and although I have appreciate that I will deviate as need be, my happiness will not be detoured.

This year, though I be the captain of my destiny but I will not go down with this ship. A captain's duty is to see that everyone is assisted before assisting him/herself, I however have decided that I will put myself first in every angle of my life. You call it selfish, I call it survival, my happiness will prevail.

This year I refuse to be the aspirin while someone else gets to be the ecstasy. If my number cannot be remembered when its time to have fun, pretend its been changed when its time to share pain and heartache.

This year I have resigned the post of saviour. If I cannot be a part of the entourage during the time of 'ballin' and 'living it up', then I can't throw on my cape and grab my bank card when need comes knocking at the doorstep. Sorry, not this year.

This year I have traded the minivan for a motorcycle, more mileage less riders, and to ride you must sit very close.

This year my heart has been relocated to the palms of my closed hands since I've learnt that wearing it on my sleeve attracts unnecessary attention. My fingers will however remain appropriately spaced to allow generous yet monitored access.

This year I will always remember that the most important priority is me and when in doubt I will take whichever action is necessary to preserve the most important priority.

Resolve to experience a Renaissance

As I sit watching the hours pass for me to bid adieu to the year 2007 and welcome the year 2008, I can only reflect on this past year.

I've promoted a few associates to friends and demoted a few associates to time-fillers.

I've learnt a few lessons while I've shed a few tears.

I've climbed a few mountains only to discover that they were merely hills, and I'm all geared up to conquer the ones that lie ahead.

I've learnt that my strength comes from within, not from the voices and personalities that surround me.

The journey hasn't been a perfect one but it has been one that I will remember. I strongly believe that what doesn't kill will only make me stronger, therefore everything I've experienced thus far can only serve as multi-vitamins to fortify me throughout whatever lies ahead.

As far as resolutions go, I don't believe in them. I believe in renaissance. I believe that rather than just setting goals, I should make plans and that my plans should lead to the accomplishment of goals.

I know that there are still a few habits, vices and people that I can do without, but somehow its the presence of these that makes me who I am. Should I dare to be different? Would you appreciate less?

But what I will say is that I expect 2008 to be great. Not because of any expected events or occurrences, but because I seek to make every day better than the last and because I live to hold no regrets.

That's what friends are for

One of the most priceless things in the world is friendship and for that reason I have resolved that true friendship is something worth fighting for and holding on at almost any cost.

But the deeper question is, what is friendship?

Friendship is being able to call someone in the middle of the night because you can't sleep, and knowing there will be conversation on the other end of the line (no matter how insignificant it is).

Friendship is knowing that you will be laughed with but never at whenever you fall flat on your face.

Friendship is knowing that compliments are not a hidden set-up for humiliation, and criticism is not borne from jealousy and contempt.

Friendship is the name that comes to mind when you need comfort as (sometimes invisible) tears are running down your cheeks.

Friendship is knowing that no matter how deep you fall there will always be someone to throw you a rope and not remind you about it later.

Friendship creates a warmth that can melt icicles from the coldest heart.

Friendship is something worth fighting for even when pride is on the line. Indeed it is one of the most difficult things to lose and even more difficult to regain. Anyone that is willing to sit by idly and let it go without a fight was never a friend at all.

Ignorantly speaking...

I've been told before that ignorance is bliss and this is an adage to which I have come to subscribe. I've found that although knowledge is power, sometimes its the absence of that knowledge that enables us to live more powerfully.

It is the lack of some knowledge that allows us to trust, love, risk, and live with the blind hope that things will go as we want them to. Spouses put their all into making their relationships work when they believe that it really is working. Add the knowledge of infidelity into the mix and suddenly the relationship is second guessed at every step along the way. Friends confide and rely on the emotional support in those they trust, that is until they suspect that the trust has been compromised.

When we are oblivious to the risks around us we are able to manoeuvre with a priceless confidence that is indescribable. We are able to enjoy life and experience unbridled joy. However the moment the veil is removed exposing the unthinkable, we retreat into our armour protected shells and live only within the confines therein.

So do I want to know that there is a possibility of risk, or that my spouse has drawn the surgical lines on my heart, or that my friends are are tabloid shopping my secrets? Of course I do, after all ignorance may be bliss but after a while bliss can become stupidity!

Forever?

The word 'forever' is an adverb meaning; "without ever ending; eternally" or "continually; incessantly; always". To put it more commonly, forever is for an indefinite period of time.

By not it must be empirically clear to everyone that nothing last forever - everything has an end. Trees are torn down to build homes, storms and fires come along and destroy the homes. We live to a certain age then we die, we obtain wealth then lose it or pass it on. The friendships we enjoy today can be eroded into adversity tomorrow. Bottom line, everything has an end.

If we understand that everything has an end, and we can accept this as a certainty, then why do he have such a difficult time accepting the end. When relationships end, we usually feel that life is over, yet we knew it could not last forever. When our loved ones die, we theatrically express our sadness, yet we knew they could not be with us forever. When our employment comes to an end, we start to distribute blame which is sometimes coupled with rage, even though we knew that it could not last forever. For some reason the end is never easy to accept.

One of the reasons the end is never easy to accept is that its timing often takes us by surprise. The solution to this is to simply live each day to its fullest while preparing for the end. Your job won't last forever, so what did you do with the income you earned yesterday? Your lives and relationships won't last forever, so how many memories are you building today. By enjoying life now and preparing for tomorrow, you give yourself a peace of mind that just might defeat the odds and last forever. The key is not to regret the end, but to make happiness last forever.

Are you afraid of the dark?

People fear what they don't understand, hate what they can't conquer, Guess it's just the fury of man...

Those are the slightly altered words from the lyrics of Rap Artist Nas in his song, "Hate me now". Rarely are truer words spoken.

I have come to realize that most of the things I have been afraid of were the things that I did not understand. Afraid to trust, afraid to love, afraid to get close to particular people, afraid of places, afraid of certain things, and the list can go on and on. But once I took the required time to learn about and understand the subject of my fear, I was able to face it and overcome it. The humorous thing is that once we overcome our fears, we often look back and wonder why we were in such bondage in the first place. As far as hate goes, we often hate those things that we can defeat. This transcends into some people hating us when they realize that they cannot break us and they find themselves powerless in our presence. I guess it's only fair to say that in hate there is fear.

But what if all fears are not meant to be faced. Perhaps fear is really just our natural instincts doing their job. Sometimes we are more protected by not overcoming these fears, the result of which is usually undergoing a difficult rebuilding exercise when our the reasons behind our fears are confirmed. Picking ourselves up from drastically traumatic relationships, recovering from excruciating physical injuries or the tender task of reconstructing self-esteem. Tragically, usually when we face our fears only to be left disappointed, we often become as bitter as a rancid lemon, thus giving birth to hate.

How do we handle this? We learn to pick our battles carefully. We learn not to chase our fears but rather to face only those that confront us. We learn to trust ourselves and listen with the correct dosage of heart and mind. We learn that sometimes the best way to face our fears, is to leave them where they are, that is at least until we first understand them.