Light, Love, Hope

We should all take pride in our work.  Yet, there is a slacker in every office.  It’s quite irritating when you’re working and doing all that is required of you – and more – and there they sit doing everything else BUT working.  They clearly have work that is begging to be done, but they are not interested in earning an honest day’s pay.  Instead, they slack off and brag about slacking off.

There is a sense of entitlement.  I’ve heard that word mentioned with the up and coming generation; that they have a sense of entitlement.  It’s not just that generation, though.  I’ve seen it in people my age, too.  I used to work with a girl who refused to do her work, and yet some how she managed to keep her job.  Her work then became MY work as it was passed on to me!  They knew I would take charge whereas she would not.   She and I were friends at one point, but her constant laziness and laughing about how I got to do her work changed all of that.

When did people stop taking pride in their work?

For me, I am anything but a slacker.  I take my work very seriously, and I jump right on anything that needs to be done.  You don’t ever have to ask if I’ve done so and so.  It’s done.  I have been picked at about notes on the outside of file folders on cases I’m working on.  But, I make notations every step of the way so people don’t have to question what happened.  It’s right there on the front of the folder in detail!

If you’re reading this and you’re a bit of a slacker, be honest with yourself and realize that laziness will not ever pay off.  In the long run, it won’t!  Have a little pride, get yourself together, and work HARD!  People are watching how you carry yourself, they are paying attention to your work ethic, and they are realizing the type of person you truly are!

You will not be able to skate through life forever a slacker.

Consider yourself warned!

I sit at my desk with the sunlight pouring through the window.  The leaves of a green plant seem to illuminate as it soaks up the light, even arching itself toward the light source.

I’ll be honest.  While I’ve written daily and attempted to share light, love, and hope with the world, I have been struggling.  While details aren’t necessary at this time, just know that it’s hard, so very hard to be positive and optimistic when you feel bad in every way possible.  Emotionally, I cry, deep from the core of my being.  Physically, my body aches and longs for relief; to sleep would be a welcomed reprieve.  Spiritually, I beg my God for help and healing.

I realize I’ve written all throughout this site that your positive or negative attitude is a choice you make daily.  While I still believe that, it is extremely hard to remain positive when you have deep issues going on concerning your health.  It truly affects every aspect of your life; work, family, friends.  It’s hard to live with something so debilitating.  You just don’t have a good quality of life like this at all.  And the kicker:  the insurance company has denied the hysterectomy.  My doctors are working on it at this time and are requesting a peer to peer review, but we are just a short time away from the surgery date.  I’m facing having to pay a large sum out of pocket for the surgery because I truly NEED it despite what the insurance company is saying.  It is disheartening when you spend thousands of dollars for good insurance, and yet when you need them the most, you’re denied.

With all that has happened recently, I’ll admit that my light has almost been snuffed out.  While I’ve been told to remain positive, it’s easier said than done.  The people saying it are good people, and they mean well.  I believe it with my whole heart.  They don’t mean to rip me to shreds with their words, yet I’m so incredibily sensitive at this time.  My nerves and feelings appear to be worn outwardly, and any little thing causes a sting or pain to race through my body.

I’m trying to pull myself up by my boot straps; another saying people love to throw at you.  I force a smile, even through the physical pain I feel.

I am trying.  And that is all that I can do at this time while praying for the Light of The World to wash over me and illuminate me like the sunlight upon the leaves of the green plant that sits on my desk.

The holidays will be upon us very soon.  Lots of stores have already started decorating and lining their shelves with Christmas ornaments, trees, and stockings.  In mid-October, it’s hard for me to settle on what gifts I’d like to give my family and friends.  I’m not really in the Christmas spirit when it’s still 90 degrees in the south!

I have come to realize that the greatest gift is not something you can buy in a store, though.  The gift of your time is far more important and will leave a lasting impression on the ones you give it to.

If you are still lucky enough to have your parents on this earth, think of how thrilled their hearts would be if you carved out time from your busy schedule to visit them.  I’ve always been a “Daddy’s Girl,” so I can’t go very long without at least talking to my father on the phone.   It just doesn’t feel right if too much time has passed and we haven’t spoken!  Just last night he called to find out how our recent trip went, and we had a really nice conversation.  He always puts me on speakerphone, which is something I have not always enjoyed, but it does give my mother a chance to get in on the conversation, too.  So, I do understand why he does it, plus I talk for a very long time if something is on my mind, so it probably saves his hand and arm from going to sleep.  Ha!

We take family time very seriously.  This Summer, we rented a cabin and all went for a long weekend in the mountains of Georgia.  My parents had the main floor all to themselves since it’s easier for them instead of climbing stairs to the second level.  My children had the basement with the pool table and other games, while my husband and I had the second level.  The cabin was big enough that we all could spread out but were still close enough to enjoy family time together.

If this isn’t a tradition in your family, why not consider it and see how it goes.  You’re bound to make memories that will last a lifetime, and your hearts will be full due to the time you all spend together.   You don’t have to limit yourself to just a few hours on holidays, unless you prefer it that way.  My family and I have always been close, so we enjoy our time together.

The greatest gift you can give someone is the gift of your time.