Pat on the back and a punch in the face...

So I've started to notice that people's true colors show through when you have a big event in your life or something major changes. You realize who your true friends are and who is really just along for the ride. Why do so called "friends" only keep in contact when its convenient? I don't really understand people sometimes. You might support them through the hardest times and always be there for them when they need you the most, but when they get through those hard times and find a bit of happiness and overcome their problems, you get left high and dry and later down the road those people fall back into the same cycle of going through hard times, looking for support and just like that they forget you even existed. I'm not saying I know a lot of people like this, but enough to make me think twice about what the word "friend" means. I think we far too often throw it around and use the term loosely, but we should reserve that title for the very best of people who are consistent, reliable, honorable, and loyal to the true meaning. I realize now that if you have 1 or 2 true "friends" you should consider yourself very lucky...

One man's loss is another man's gain...

So last week I was pretty burnt from work. I guess it really wasn't too bad, but I had just come back from the honeymoon and wanted to stay in that state of mind. On Friday I moaned and complained to myself about how I wanted a 3 day weekend and I wished that I didn't have to come to work on Monday and that I could move to The Caribbean and do nothing, Etc. I'm sure we all have had these thoughts, especially the one about moving to the Caribbean, but yesterday my perspective changed a bit. I was at church at my new ward in Glendale and the guys took turns going around and introducing themselves and telling us a little bit about them. About half of them stood up stated their names and ended by saying "And if you know anyone who is hiring please let me know..." I was pretty overwhelmed by how many people who were out of work. There was even one guy who stood up holding a baby and said "I will take anything I can get right now..." It was quite an eye opener for me. I hate to say it, but it seems that it takes a room full of unemployed people to make me realize how lucky I am to have a job at all. I should be grateful that in today's economic climate that I am employed and able to provide for myself and wife. I will definitely think twice before I dread coming to work on a Monday...

Big Bad Business...

So the more I work and the more I look at how this industry is and was and will be, I realize that being a bigger business is not always the best thing. I think perhaps in my line of work, staying small and being more personal with clients and employees might be better. I feel too often that businesses have the thought that if we continue to grow and get bigger and hire more people and take on more clients and expand and grow and dominate that it will best for everyone. It might be good for the company, but I think that somewhere along the way you lose something that is very difficult to simulate when you are this giant corporation. Being personal, is one of the best things that can make a company strong. Knowing everyone's name, last name, wife's name, etc. These are the things that strengthen the loyalty of the workers and the integrity of the company. I think the problem stems from greed and not living within our means. Going too far with a thought and dream and causing it to spiral out of control and losing the reason you got into the work you do. I feel that working hard, taking in just enough to thrive and be successful is the key to a happy workplace and environment...

Greeting Cards...

So as my wife and I opened up all of our presents from our wedding, the best part of the night for me were the cards and the thoughtful words people had written in them. It's an amazing and overwhelming feeling to read the support and love that so many people have for Chloe and I. We would take turns reading and each and every time I thought to myself; " Wow, I really need to tell people more often how much I truly appreciate them." I saved all of them and we are looking forward to pulling them out and reading them in the future. If ever I feel down, alone, and insignificant I need to look no further then those cards.

The thought and realization that I had is that even the greatest and most expensive gifts do not even come close in comparison to the kind, thoughtful, raw, sincere, and loving words a person can share with another. Human expression is one of our greatest gifts and I feel it is far too often neglected and abused. What a difference a simple "Thank you", "Hello", or (my personal favorite) a smile can make in a persons life. We never truly know what a person may be going through or how they may be feeling, but if we take the time to express our most sincere love and gratitude, I believe we can give someone the best gift of all and it doesn't cost a dime...