5.27.2010

New Job

I got a job at the Law Offices of Richard Pena. It's a pretty sweet job. I do the small odd jobs around the place, but pretty much, I just wait until someone tells me to do something, like fix the printer or the copier. I know it may not be the most glamorous job, and is kind of boring for the most part, it's a nice feeling when people see you as the guy who does everything faster. For example, today, the secretary needed to redo the entire email contact list for the entire office, and I offered to help her. She told me that she was working on it for a long time, and expected to still be working on it for a while. I told her I would work on it, and she gave me the notion that even with my help, it wouldn't be done for at least a few weeks. She wanted to manually input every single email address into the system. 

After about an hour of finding the contacts on the computer, making it a .csv file in excel, and then importing it into the boss' computer, the job was done. The secretary, Anita, was a bit shocked, but very pleasantly surprised. She just exclaimed "Wow, you are lightning fast"

I know my job is super menial, and that I have nothing to do with the actual workings of this firm, but it felt nice. And, the boss found out how quick I did it, and he was impressed. Day 3 on the job, and I think I'm making a good impression.

Day 1: fixed a printer by plugging the cable in 
Day 2: didn't really do much....
Day 3: saved the secretary many hours of labor by using excel. 

I hope to have fun this summer

5.02.2010

Stages of Life

Gimme Phase:
When we are born into this world, we are constantly crying for attention and love. We need food so we cry, we need a hug so we cry, we need clean clothes so we cry. When a parent looks down at their child, do they think to themselves "what a horrible child, all they do is ask for their needs, what about my needs?!" No. They think to themselves what a beautiful child I have, and they are going to grow up to be a wonderful son/daughter.
When this becomes a problem:
When the child is no longer a child, and they still want their diaper to be changed. Imagine a 28 year old man wanting his mother to feed him. Something is wrong with that picture.

Use Me Phase:
Put me in the game coach! This is the part of life where we want to be in the spot light. We want to cash in our luck.  We want to be noticed! That girl across the hall, that just seems to be the most beautiful person in the world, we want her to notice us! It is not to be confused with the gimme phase, because it is no longer asking to be provided for, but it is asking to be used so that we can be noticed.
When this becomes a problem:
If the person is not ready for the spotlight, they will either get embarrassed with their confidence completely lost, or they will become prideful and arrogant.

Show Me Phase:
I want to know what is wrong with me so that I can fix it. I want to know the answer. I want to know what to do so I can do it. I want to know it all.
When this becomes a problem:
Knowing does not always transfer into doing. You can know that volunteering is a good thing, but never do it. You can know about the poverty in different countries but have no compassion.

I Surrender Phase:
No matter what happens in life, it is in God's control. No matter what the situation. No matter what the cause. No matter. God has it under control. You become His servant, and He takes care of you. He will give to you, He will use you, and He will show you, but on one condition; that it is all under His supervision and timing.


Being selfish is not wrong, when you are a child.
Being wanted to be used is not wrong, when the coach puts you in the game.
Having desire to know things is not wrong, when a teacher teaches you.

Recently, I've been in three of the four phases. I've been selfish, wanting God to give me everything that I could possible want. I've been wanting to be used in my church/school/work so that I can be noticed and applauded. I've wanted God to show we the mysteries of Him and the wonders of the world so that I could boast and say how "spiritually mature" I've gotten.

I now need to stop, and surrender it all. Nothing in this world can make me happy, except God. Not even a wonderful girlfriend can keep me happy, if God is not in the relationship.