As of late the concept of friendship has haunted me. With the explosion of Facebook and it's categoric label of "friends" it leaves one to wonder. Is a friend defined as anyone with an email address? Doesn't the very nature of friendship require a certain level of loyalty, integrity, and a willingness to go above and beyond? To be considered a friend, shouldn't the person be someone you contact when things are rough or joyous, or heck perhaps to just say Hi? Watering down the definition of friend is not a healthy way to feel important. I have numerous friends, many of the 20+ year range. I think that speaks to the type of friend and in turn the type of person I am.
Today I received a conformation that I am a good person and that I give of myself for those who are my friends. Quite frankly I give of myself to anyone in need really and some who don't need. I called a friend the other day to inquire about needing some help with something. Him and I had spoke on this issue numerous times in the past and he had always said he would be there for me. So I called last week, trying ensure I gave him enough time to work out the details. I respect the fact that he is extremely busy. It turns out that 9 months was not enough lead time for him. He was very apologetic and he knew I would understand, which I did. I was disappointed and discouraged, but once again knew he was not blowing me off, he is busy. Today I spoke with him again and he informed that if I give him a confirmed time frame he will work me in. He is willing to "cancel another commitment to help out a friend". I was astonished and blown away. I will admit his act of generosity was unexpected and caught me off guard. I was a little emotional. He told me that he spent some time thinking about it and asked a few people close to him about the situation (refer to a previous Blog regarding the concept of asking questions) and he felt he had no other choice but to accommodate me in whatever way he could. Why? Because in his words "You've helped me out in the past and we had good times in and out of school. All that, so don't worry, I'll make it work" and "I talked to some people about it, and they gave me good advice. Gata keep important people first! Also, don't feel like you pressured me or anything. That is totally not it! This is completely a personal thing that I think is important."
So I will take away from my conversation that I am on the right track and keep working hard at being a good, honest person who looks out for whomever needs it. I believe helping people and giving of ones self is greatest feeling in the World.
Future blog to follow this topic will be in reference to reminding ourselves why
My Two Cents
Jamie
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Monday, January 14, 2008
Living Out Of A Suitcase
Just trying to keep sane these days. So much going on.
My parents are away and I am dog sitting. All the routines are thrown out of whack. Living out of a suitcase and never quite feeling at home.
It's funny how bound we are to our routines. The most simple of changes can throw us out of orbit. We go through our days without realizing how little control we have. I know you are thinking, whoa big fellar, I have control over me! Really, you do? Funny, how some of us are a complete mess if things are not exactly as they expect them to be.
Even the dog is a mess. She is so lost without her normal daily routine. My Dad is retired, so the dog gets plenty of rides and has company. In recent months my Dad has not been very healthy, so the dog is getting even more attention from an owner who is home all the time. Now my parents have up and gone to Mexico and dog is confused. We are off to work each day and she is home on her own. When we are home she out of sorts.
I don't think it is healthy to be so tied to a routine (this coming from a goalie, HA). Seriously, though if you are governed by a routine then you are adding stress to your life. Because if any little thing attempts to tweak that routine in any way, we tend to become frantic and potentially stressed about how it will all work. I myself have been working very hard over the last number of years to avoid being to tied to a routine. I have found it much easier to manage any given day. Being able to adjust to whatever the day brings has allowed me to take my focus off the unimportant and turn my focus to the important. The way something gets done is NEVER more important then the fact that is getting done.
For most people who know me they will probably laugh at the above statements. But, sadly, that is only because most people I have known for many years and they remember the old me. So too that I urge anyone who cares to keeps their relationships fresh to always give someone the credit they deserve for making themselves a better person.
Strive to be a better person. It requires hard work and shedding of old routines.
My Two Cents
Jamie
My parents are away and I am dog sitting. All the routines are thrown out of whack. Living out of a suitcase and never quite feeling at home.
It's funny how bound we are to our routines. The most simple of changes can throw us out of orbit. We go through our days without realizing how little control we have. I know you are thinking, whoa big fellar, I have control over me! Really, you do? Funny, how some of us are a complete mess if things are not exactly as they expect them to be.
Even the dog is a mess. She is so lost without her normal daily routine. My Dad is retired, so the dog gets plenty of rides and has company. In recent months my Dad has not been very healthy, so the dog is getting even more attention from an owner who is home all the time. Now my parents have up and gone to Mexico and dog is confused. We are off to work each day and she is home on her own. When we are home she out of sorts.
I don't think it is healthy to be so tied to a routine (this coming from a goalie, HA). Seriously, though if you are governed by a routine then you are adding stress to your life. Because if any little thing attempts to tweak that routine in any way, we tend to become frantic and potentially stressed about how it will all work. I myself have been working very hard over the last number of years to avoid being to tied to a routine. I have found it much easier to manage any given day. Being able to adjust to whatever the day brings has allowed me to take my focus off the unimportant and turn my focus to the important. The way something gets done is NEVER more important then the fact that is getting done.
For most people who know me they will probably laugh at the above statements. But, sadly, that is only because most people I have known for many years and they remember the old me. So too that I urge anyone who cares to keeps their relationships fresh to always give someone the credit they deserve for making themselves a better person.
Strive to be a better person. It requires hard work and shedding of old routines.
My Two Cents
Jamie
Why Won't Anyone Just Talk To Each Other
It seems to be a reoccurring theme these days. More and more people appear to think they know everything there is to know about everything.
I for one DO NOT believe I know much of anything about anything, which is why I ask questions. Questions...novel idea isn't it? The most frustrating part of this crazy mess is how people can spend a lifetime "deciding" things a happen a certain way without any shred of evidence to back up their theory. Let's take this one step further into crazy town. Not only do people make a decision about something without knowing the facts, they also CHOSE the worst possible scenario!! That is flat out crazy thinking from the mayor of crazy town!
Why would you chose to assume that the reason something happened the way it did in a way that leaves you feeling slighted in some way? Is the goal to feel terrible about oneself and in turn defame the character of the person or persons involved? It appears self destructive behavior is the new norm for what drives a person's motives. I am dumbfounded.
I guess I am not of the same school 0f thought. I myself (and this doesn't make me special, it is just who I am) prefer to give someone the benefit of the doubt and make an attempt to understand the circumstances before making a decision about something. It is true that times the only conclusion is to understand I can do no more. Resolve my end of the issue and try not to carry the baggage of others. Until they are ready to be serious about self assessment then it is not a fair comparison.
All this sounds cryptic I am sure, but rest assure it is really quite simple. When faced with a difficult and potentially volatile situation, stop, assess and understand. If you still don't understand be sure you have asked enough pertinent questions and keep it from being a personal issue. Once you have exhausted the process of being accountable to the all parties involved and still no resolve is possible, you cut the cord and understand the issue is owned by the other party or parties. Ownership. Discovering what issues you own and which ones the other parties own is crucial to finding peace in unresolved issues.
Remember you cannot help someone who doesn't want help or thinks they don't need help. Until they can take ownership of their own issues it is impossible to work through an issue. The idea of forced understanding is folly.
My Two Cents
Jamie
I for one DO NOT believe I know much of anything about anything, which is why I ask questions. Questions...novel idea isn't it? The most frustrating part of this crazy mess is how people can spend a lifetime "deciding" things a happen a certain way without any shred of evidence to back up their theory. Let's take this one step further into crazy town. Not only do people make a decision about something without knowing the facts, they also CHOSE the worst possible scenario!! That is flat out crazy thinking from the mayor of crazy town!
Why would you chose to assume that the reason something happened the way it did in a way that leaves you feeling slighted in some way? Is the goal to feel terrible about oneself and in turn defame the character of the person or persons involved? It appears self destructive behavior is the new norm for what drives a person's motives. I am dumbfounded.
I guess I am not of the same school 0f thought. I myself (and this doesn't make me special, it is just who I am) prefer to give someone the benefit of the doubt and make an attempt to understand the circumstances before making a decision about something. It is true that times the only conclusion is to understand I can do no more. Resolve my end of the issue and try not to carry the baggage of others. Until they are ready to be serious about self assessment then it is not a fair comparison.
All this sounds cryptic I am sure, but rest assure it is really quite simple. When faced with a difficult and potentially volatile situation, stop, assess and understand. If you still don't understand be sure you have asked enough pertinent questions and keep it from being a personal issue. Once you have exhausted the process of being accountable to the all parties involved and still no resolve is possible, you cut the cord and understand the issue is owned by the other party or parties. Ownership. Discovering what issues you own and which ones the other parties own is crucial to finding peace in unresolved issues.
Remember you cannot help someone who doesn't want help or thinks they don't need help. Until they can take ownership of their own issues it is impossible to work through an issue. The idea of forced understanding is folly.
My Two Cents
Jamie
Thursday, January 10, 2008
BLOG vs. Work!
Don't you hate it when work gets in the way the important things in life....like BLOGGING!
It's funny, I have been very excited about starting this blog and was pumped to have a place to throw out my thoughts and perhaps entertain some people. Who am I kidding, as if anyone is actually reading my blog! LOL
Anyway, I have been having a hard time getting the time to write while at work. A big change from the normal around here. But I suppose that is better than the alternative. So, to all you loyal readers, "a cricket chirps in the distance", I do apologize for not writing more consistently.
I brought it on myself. In a meeting with the boss earlier this week, I mentioned a piece of software that would help him keep better track of our projects and tasks! Stupid, stupid, stupid. So he now has an open door to all that is my daily work. It sure keeps me from shirking my jobs when I am don't feeling like doing them, naturally this isn't the norm for me, but I like to have options. My work ethic prevents me from truly shirking any of my responsibilities anyway. Back to the boss; he is on his annual mission prior to his two week vacation in February. Every year in January he goes all postal on us about our work load and wants to ensure we know what needs to be done while he is gone. So what about the other 10 months of the year when he is shacked up in his office without a clue about what we are doing? Periodic checks with the standard question "So, what are you working on?", which is easily answer with clever misdirection and stylish flare. The plan for his holidays will be the same...in the first day or so Dave and I will work diligently at accomplishing the few tasks we are given and then use the remainder of the bosses holiday to take things at our own pace. Never fails, he will check that we accomplished his requests and we will be heroes.
Don't get me wrong, Dave and I have plenty to do and work daily at accomplishing tasks and goals. But realistically, when you verbalize the list it seems insignificant. Could be my years of retail grocery (which I miss dearly) giving my false worry. In retail the list is never shorter than a mile long and it can grow exponentially at the blink of an eye. The Information Technology world is much more planned out and scheduled, not enough chaos for me, I suppose.
I may not get a chance to post as often as I like and I have been working on some create topics, but I need time to get it out of my brain and into a understandable form for others to enjoy.
So for now, keep the faith and I will keep posting. Tell all your friends, I want to create a following! LOL That's funny. Well I leave you with a smile on my face.
My Two Cents
Jamie Cinq-Mars
It's funny, I have been very excited about starting this blog and was pumped to have a place to throw out my thoughts and perhaps entertain some people. Who am I kidding, as if anyone is actually reading my blog! LOL
Anyway, I have been having a hard time getting the time to write while at work. A big change from the normal around here. But I suppose that is better than the alternative. So, to all you loyal readers, "a cricket chirps in the distance", I do apologize for not writing more consistently.
I brought it on myself. In a meeting with the boss earlier this week, I mentioned a piece of software that would help him keep better track of our projects and tasks! Stupid, stupid, stupid. So he now has an open door to all that is my daily work. It sure keeps me from shirking my jobs when I am don't feeling like doing them, naturally this isn't the norm for me, but I like to have options. My work ethic prevents me from truly shirking any of my responsibilities anyway. Back to the boss; he is on his annual mission prior to his two week vacation in February. Every year in January he goes all postal on us about our work load and wants to ensure we know what needs to be done while he is gone. So what about the other 10 months of the year when he is shacked up in his office without a clue about what we are doing? Periodic checks with the standard question "So, what are you working on?", which is easily answer with clever misdirection and stylish flare. The plan for his holidays will be the same...in the first day or so Dave and I will work diligently at accomplishing the few tasks we are given and then use the remainder of the bosses holiday to take things at our own pace. Never fails, he will check that we accomplished his requests and we will be heroes.
Don't get me wrong, Dave and I have plenty to do and work daily at accomplishing tasks and goals. But realistically, when you verbalize the list it seems insignificant. Could be my years of retail grocery (which I miss dearly) giving my false worry. In retail the list is never shorter than a mile long and it can grow exponentially at the blink of an eye. The Information Technology world is much more planned out and scheduled, not enough chaos for me, I suppose.
I may not get a chance to post as often as I like and I have been working on some create topics, but I need time to get it out of my brain and into a understandable form for others to enjoy.
So for now, keep the faith and I will keep posting. Tell all your friends, I want to create a following! LOL That's funny. Well I leave you with a smile on my face.
My Two Cents
Jamie Cinq-Mars
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
The New Year.....hmmm, What Is In Store For 2008?
So here we are another New Year come and gone. Did everyone ring in the new year they way they hoped? It seems that the "new year's eve event" has become a bit of a chore.
This year more than others, I found. I have never been a big public party kind of guy for New Years. I prefer a smaller, more low key style. Not that having a great time isn't the goal, but simply prefer to adhere to the K.I.S.S. theory. Keep It Simple Stupid. And of course the segway to the New Year's eve lip lock applies too.
Keeping it simple just means, picking a place, showing up, enjoying some company, watch the TV to count down the seconds and share some hugs and kisses when it all happens. That's it. No worrying about what to wear, what to bring, who's bringing what, nothing stressful.
So this year we opted to follow the plans of last four years, head over to the same friend's house and ring in the new year. We had an addition to the festivities this year. Another couple joined us and it was a welcome addition to, what is shaping up to be a New Year's tradition. It was a very good evening and I believe we all had a good time. Must have been...I returned AFTER 3am!!! Just so you know, no drinking and driving, all drivers were very responsible.
I hope everyone had a good New Year's eve and they are looking forward to 2008. I am expecting a year of change, good change. I know our friends have some new babies joining us this year and they will add new blessings for us to be thankful for. Really hope everyone I care about finds some peace in their lives regarding whatever issue plagues them the most. I will pray for them to act on the guidance they receive, rather than wait for the solution to fall in their laps. The new year is upon us and has begun as quickly as the previous ended. Act now and make the changes you want to see happen in your life. Keeping in mind that the solution may not be what you expect it to be, so maintain an open mind to different options that will yield the same result. Our minds are like a parachute....they only work when they are open. The most difficult thing to do is to realize our plan may not be the most effective way to find the change we are seeking. Work hard to assess and re-assess to ensure your plan is NOT too narrow minded to actually achieve your goals for 2008. Set yourself up for success not failure.
As I sit here and read my words again, I am compelled to mention the Lord. He wants us to be happy and to find happiness. He reminds me that inviting Jesus into your heart to live with you will open doors to your life that may have been previously closed. He will show you opportunities to be stronger, more courageous, find peace and be happier. He cannot "give" you strength, courage, peace or make you happy. But He will help you understand yourself better, He will guide you to places within yourself that you never knew were there. With this guidance you will discover the World around you is filled with many opportunities to achieve great things. We are all unique, yet the same. In likeness of Him, yet unique. He is not one thing to all of us, instead He is all things to each of us, individually. He wants each of us to have a very personal relationship with Him. Speak to Him, even if it is for the first time. He has been waiting all your life for you to say hello. There is no "right" way to pray to God. Formal or informal, just say hello, He is always available and never on vacation.
You are NEVER alone with Jesus alive in your heart. Never will you need to feel you are walking through this crazy World alone when you have Jesus as a friend. Make him your friend today. Invite Him to be a part of your life. He won't turn you down.
Take care everyone, say a prayer today for anyone or everyone.
Give Jesus a call....
My Two Cents
Jamie
This year more than others, I found. I have never been a big public party kind of guy for New Years. I prefer a smaller, more low key style. Not that having a great time isn't the goal, but simply prefer to adhere to the K.I.S.S. theory. Keep It Simple Stupid. And of course the segway to the New Year's eve lip lock applies too.
Keeping it simple just means, picking a place, showing up, enjoying some company, watch the TV to count down the seconds and share some hugs and kisses when it all happens. That's it. No worrying about what to wear, what to bring, who's bringing what, nothing stressful.
So this year we opted to follow the plans of last four years, head over to the same friend's house and ring in the new year. We had an addition to the festivities this year. Another couple joined us and it was a welcome addition to, what is shaping up to be a New Year's tradition. It was a very good evening and I believe we all had a good time. Must have been...I returned AFTER 3am!!! Just so you know, no drinking and driving, all drivers were very responsible.
I hope everyone had a good New Year's eve and they are looking forward to 2008. I am expecting a year of change, good change. I know our friends have some new babies joining us this year and they will add new blessings for us to be thankful for. Really hope everyone I care about finds some peace in their lives regarding whatever issue plagues them the most. I will pray for them to act on the guidance they receive, rather than wait for the solution to fall in their laps. The new year is upon us and has begun as quickly as the previous ended. Act now and make the changes you want to see happen in your life. Keeping in mind that the solution may not be what you expect it to be, so maintain an open mind to different options that will yield the same result. Our minds are like a parachute....they only work when they are open. The most difficult thing to do is to realize our plan may not be the most effective way to find the change we are seeking. Work hard to assess and re-assess to ensure your plan is NOT too narrow minded to actually achieve your goals for 2008. Set yourself up for success not failure.
As I sit here and read my words again, I am compelled to mention the Lord. He wants us to be happy and to find happiness. He reminds me that inviting Jesus into your heart to live with you will open doors to your life that may have been previously closed. He will show you opportunities to be stronger, more courageous, find peace and be happier. He cannot "give" you strength, courage, peace or make you happy. But He will help you understand yourself better, He will guide you to places within yourself that you never knew were there. With this guidance you will discover the World around you is filled with many opportunities to achieve great things. We are all unique, yet the same. In likeness of Him, yet unique. He is not one thing to all of us, instead He is all things to each of us, individually. He wants each of us to have a very personal relationship with Him. Speak to Him, even if it is for the first time. He has been waiting all your life for you to say hello. There is no "right" way to pray to God. Formal or informal, just say hello, He is always available and never on vacation.
You are NEVER alone with Jesus alive in your heart. Never will you need to feel you are walking through this crazy World alone when you have Jesus as a friend. Make him your friend today. Invite Him to be a part of your life. He won't turn you down.
Take care everyone, say a prayer today for anyone or everyone.
Give Jesus a call....
My Two Cents
Jamie
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