It matters that I learn how to speak up at work. There are a variety of situations in which I can find myself suddenly, or over time, trying to cover or excuse by not speaking up about them. I have found that my instincts and first responses are not always the best ones. By not barking when the workload becomes overwhelming, I recently found myself being one sled dog dragging an ever increasing load through the snow. Thinking I should just keep sweating it out up the hills, and running ahead down the slopes, my thoughts flipped between "I'm such a good dog, look what I can do," to "faster, faster, so I don't get plowed over!"
Barking is not just for growling, snarling, angry worker dogs, it can be the sweet sound from well mannered and loyal friends. A sound that healthy owner-employers know keeps them out of graver danger.
Instead of tuning up my voice each morning with "mi, mi, mi, mi, mi...," I think it is time I rehearse a bark that I can live with. One that is loud enough to protect the boss (and me), but not scare myself into believing I am a "junkyard employee."
So, speak up Dave, speak!
9/17/08
9/4/08
Refusing Contaminated Community
Education matters, but what you discover is not always what you set out to learn...
In my last trip to the church library I was not at all browsing. In typical manly shopping mode (hunt the prey down and obtain it for your own) I knew what I wanted, and was eager to "get to it." I was on a mission to answer a question about a bible passage and had a few minutes while waiting for someone to meet me.
I saw the computer and the signs of instruction on how to access the library inventory screens and I made myself comfortable in the chair that was so inviting. When I sat down, I looked at another sign over the screen of the computer: "Please use hand sanitizer before using the computer". The sign had a neatly drawn arrow that directed my eyes to the cleanser bottle placed on the shelf next to the screen. Are you kidding? Has the power of media struck again teaching us new phobias that demand retaliation against normal living? Are our collective immune systems so fragile that we risk ourselves when we come to church? I thought risking yourself was exactly what going to church was about!
I lost track of my original reason for coming to the library for several minutes as I pondered the well meaning person who believed they were helping when providing the soap and sign. What is next, surgical gloves before shaking hands, head and arm holes in hefty bags before we can hug? I'm not sure I can exist in such a "clean" environment. I need my messy, risky interaction with the people I know and love - and even those I don't know and try to love. If we all wind up wearing diving suits to church, who is it to protect - us or them? Even though God must not like bacteria that harm His children, I don't think He intended us to wear Darth Vader like helmets when reading from the scriptures. I can just hear us: "Luke.... Luke... chapter 6 vs 5" from pulpits across the land.
While not aware of any ailment I would pass on, or of any harmful chemical already on my hands, I did not succumb to pressure of the note, and enjoyed doing my computer search - risking excommunication - with "unclean" hands.
Dave
In my last trip to the church library I was not at all browsing. In typical manly shopping mode (hunt the prey down and obtain it for your own) I knew what I wanted, and was eager to "get to it." I was on a mission to answer a question about a bible passage and had a few minutes while waiting for someone to meet me.
I saw the computer and the signs of instruction on how to access the library inventory screens and I made myself comfortable in the chair that was so inviting. When I sat down, I looked at another sign over the screen of the computer: "Please use hand sanitizer before using the computer". The sign had a neatly drawn arrow that directed my eyes to the cleanser bottle placed on the shelf next to the screen. Are you kidding? Has the power of media struck again teaching us new phobias that demand retaliation against normal living? Are our collective immune systems so fragile that we risk ourselves when we come to church? I thought risking yourself was exactly what going to church was about!
I lost track of my original reason for coming to the library for several minutes as I pondered the well meaning person who believed they were helping when providing the soap and sign. What is next, surgical gloves before shaking hands, head and arm holes in hefty bags before we can hug? I'm not sure I can exist in such a "clean" environment. I need my messy, risky interaction with the people I know and love - and even those I don't know and try to love. If we all wind up wearing diving suits to church, who is it to protect - us or them? Even though God must not like bacteria that harm His children, I don't think He intended us to wear Darth Vader like helmets when reading from the scriptures. I can just hear us: "Luke.... Luke... chapter 6 vs 5" from pulpits across the land.
While not aware of any ailment I would pass on, or of any harmful chemical already on my hands, I did not succumb to pressure of the note, and enjoyed doing my computer search - risking excommunication - with "unclean" hands.
Dave
9/2/08
My TRUTH is bigger than your truth
It matters that we live lives that make clear our convictions - in fact it is impossible to live a day without making them clear. With little thinking even I can realize that what you care about most will at least leak out and even be shot out from the water cannon of your speaking and doing no matter how hard you try to contain it. People will see who you are and what you've decided life is about without a personal publicity campaign.
The question that matters most to me today is: How often do I pick fights and create battle lines in order that I define and clarify my own convictions. Not the battles that naturally come up because my core beliefs demand responses, but those times when I am the moral bully looking for a theological weakling. I wonder how much blood I have shed over the years being a zealot in order to show ME what I believe.
There are plenty of natural opportunities to share the crumbs of truth that I have gathered over the years and I find myself today grieving the error of mixed signals I've sent. To be loving is to engage the truth of the matter in which you find yourself, in the most gentle way possible -without compromising what God requires of you. Sometimes the sword must be drawn, but only after directed words of encouragement repeatedly fail. My truth is only bigger than your truth when it allows you the ability to accept it directly from the its source.Dave
The question that matters most to me today is: How often do I pick fights and create battle lines in order that I define and clarify my own convictions. Not the battles that naturally come up because my core beliefs demand responses, but those times when I am the moral bully looking for a theological weakling. I wonder how much blood I have shed over the years being a zealot in order to show ME what I believe.
There are plenty of natural opportunities to share the crumbs of truth that I have gathered over the years and I find myself today grieving the error of mixed signals I've sent. To be loving is to engage the truth of the matter in which you find yourself, in the most gentle way possible -without compromising what God requires of you. Sometimes the sword must be drawn, but only after directed words of encouragement repeatedly fail. My truth is only bigger than your truth when it allows you the ability to accept it directly from the its source.Dave
9/1/08
The Launch
It matters that we stay in contact, so welcome to the next great experiment in communication for a couple dabbling in the new language of the day. On our way to being proud grandparents - we are already proud parents - the thought of finding a way to learn to speak to children, not even yet born, seems like an important thing to do. The reality of data text talk may be recycling the letter writing efforts my grandmother was so good at. Instead of waiting for the spoken "How are you?" before we answer "I'm fine," the blog let's us answer in faithful expectation that, one day. the question of interest will indeed be asked -at the key board.
So we will "keyboard speak" what matters in our lives. There will be some occasional thoughts "penned" to which a few will read and respond. The little things, the big things, the noble things, and I'm sure the strange things, will trickle and even pour onto this cyber stationary and time will tell if we have launched something of value, or sent a rocket burning off course into the grass.
Ftzzzzz.... The fuse is lit, let's see what fly's.
Dave
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