MONDAY THOUGHTS: ON THE JOB

I had a chance to just contemplate, pray, be grateful, be thankful, rest...work...feel...walk...see. 

Eight days on the sea...serving and being served. Entertaining and being entertained. 

Appreciating and being appreciated. 

Learning, observing, thinking, and embracing my late mother's resilience, work ethic, wisdom and grace---and seeing it all in my daughter. 

I was a part of something living and wonderful, and am sure it will birth more lovely experiences.

Truth is beautiful...and loud...and healing...and always wins. 

Good music is a blessing. 

Helping to make it is divine.

God will let you see just how thankful you should be if you aren't. 

He'll jump start your discernment, and let you see past what others want you to see and believe. 

He'll give you compassion toward those who wish you harm, or have harmed you. 

All of the time, He gently reminds you that He sees you, loves you, is still speaking, knows what you've been through, and will fight for you. 

He'll stand up in you, and give you confidence to carry out the tasks he has provided.

Stay cool. Be patient. God will open doors---and windows. 

He will orchestrate things just to show you how resilient and full of grace you are. 

He will let people see you, not the picture others have painted of you. 

He'll make the corrections, and right the wrongs.

You don't have to know what people are thinking, have thought, are saying, or have said about you. Even if it's all good, acknowledge that it's nice to be appreciated, but don't get cocky or comfortable-- be motivated to do and be better. 

Even if it is neither true nor favorable, and explains shady behavior that periodically comes your way, STILL focus on the task at hand.

ALWAYS know who your supervisor is, and be thankful if he or she is fair and impartial, and recognizes the value of your contributions to the work. 

 Let your performance speak for you. 

Perform well, and it will, and should fully explain why you're on the job--even as others question, protest, critique. 

What you represent, whether correct or perceived, to someone who has no stake in the principal thing is not your problem. 

Some people only think their opinions and input concerning you, matters. 

You can identify them by the tightening of their jaws when they see you in place. 

Just do your job. 

Imps can show up in your space, sit on your desk, and "mean mug" you all day long, but it won't diminish your skill. 

As a matter of fact, you can use deliberate distractions as a sort of motivational entertainment, as you continue to work. 

The things that people go out of their way to do to get you off of your game communicate one thing--like Mary, and unlike her busy sister Martha, you have chosen and are actually in the "good place".

If you like your job, your work space is a sanctuary that is comfortable, nurturing, cohesive, intimate, educational, inspiring and brings out the best in you. Fellow Mary-types, on the job, get it, and cultivate the environment. They're occupying the space, too, so tearing it down, introducing stress, or destroying the harmony is never an option. 

Martha-types, on the job, are only adept at being self-absorbed, needy, intrusive nuisances. 

They do contribute something, but not anything that would be missed if it wasn't there. 

Important people don't have to make an announcement, or scheme to be seen. 

Neither do secure people.

Know your role on the job. Understand that insensitive individuals may show up for a myriad of reasons. Maybe they're curious. Maybe they're nosy. Maybe they're arrogant. Maybe they've been invited. Stay focused. 

Even if others don't consider what you do as viable work, and disrespectfully endeavor to make your work space their hangout, keep working. 

Know who you are. Be careful not to ascribe power or authority to the wrong people. 

Shun pride, but DO know your worth. 

People can only try to make you look bad, but it's your response to their attempts that will empower or wreck you. 

People who have your back, won't let you spiral out of control. 

There are those who can't let it be known publicly that they have your back. It's complicated, but they're kinda good to have around, too.

Never be surprised, however, who will throw you under the bus to cover their own butts. When dealing with them, you document, document, and document, and stay versatile. 

There's always something to hang on to. 

Change your perspective, and you'll find that you can be impressive under the bus, on the side, on top, and in the back, too. 

Don't EVER dumb down, lie, hide, quit, disappear, or shrink to appease anyone. 

No one is insignificant, but it is always the insecure or deceived individual who attempts to inflate him or herself in your presence. 

Don't be rattled. Don't ascribe boogeyman status to someone who wouldn't know their way around your job with GPS, a compass or a map. 

Ignore the heck out of them, and ALWAYS do your best. 

Someone said you have to ignore some people so much that they begin to seriously question their own existence. 

Your grandmother probably said it this way, "Baby, don't pay them no mind". 

Don't blow opportunities, and for Heaven's sake, don't let others blow them for you...and if by chance there's good, clean fun to be had, by all means, have it.

"Woosah...shine".