August 31, 2012

  • Unexpected gifts

    Often times, life is filled up with so many routines that we become robotic around them to the point that we don't take notice of the small changes that happen in our everyday lives.  And more than often, I fall victim to this and neglect to see the small happy things that evolve around me everyday, all the time. 

    So that's when blogging kicks in.  It forces me to dialogue what I've done for the day or how I've been doing for the week, both the sad and the good.  Sad to remind me in future times how I've come a long way to arrive at where I am today and that I've probably been through equally worse or worse times before.  Good to remember the sweetness that life brings you when you least expect it.

    I have a bad memory so keeping my Xanga from thirteen was definitely a good idea.

    So the surprise for today was a $5 H&M gift card from a old classmate of mines.  She just happened to walk into Kebe today with a friend / co-worker and handed me and Helen a gift card each.  She said she already used one so she has no use for another one (which I don't really understand) but either way I'm thrilled to have an extra $5 to spend.  For a poor graduate like me, $5 is like a meal for me already.

    Last night I completed a Self Assessment Test called the Career Leader by two Harvard professors.  Reason for my taking is to attend a workshop this morning at SFU that helps you figure out your interests, motivators, and skills.  Apparently my low self confidence in my capabilities within Human Resources and people's negative points of views about my capabilities is offset by my test results.  I'm a 99% match for Human Resources Management as well as Training and Development and my interest is in coaching and mentoring others.  Interesting results eh?

    Relating back to my topic of unexpected gifts, besides a discount for a shopping spree at H&M, Calvin also sent me a facebook link that featured a story of a professor and his class.  And the story goes like this:

    The Mayonnaise Jar

    When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day is not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and two cups of coffee.

    A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him.

    When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and fills it with golf balls.

    He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

    The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured it into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls.

    He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

    The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else.

    He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous “YES”.

    The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.

    “Now,” said the professor, as the laughter subsided, “I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things - God, family,
    children, health, friends, and favorite passions. Things, that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the things that matter like your job, house, and car. The sand is everything else -- the small stuff.” he said.

    “If you put the sand into the jar first,” he continued, “There is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are
    important to you...” he told them.

    “So... pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Worship with your family. Play with your children. Take your partner out to dinner. Spend time with good friends. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the dripping tap. Take care of the golf balls first -- the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.”

    One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented.

    The professor smiled and said, “I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend.”

    So after reading this I was quite warm to the heart because I know that Family, friends, and worship are probably the things that I take to heart the most (even the test says so with my first motivator being "lifestyle-being able to spend time with family, friends, and leisure activities).  This story reminds me to put them first as my priority as opposed to everything else. 

    That's it for now.  I must try harder for my studies now.  I CAN'T  fail my CHRP exam!