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Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Christina and the Yellow Ball
I have some great news to report on our part-time employee and daughter, Christina Vournas. Christina recently signed a National Letter of Intent to play water polo for California State University Monterey Bay in Seaside, California (just north of Monterey). Our office is proud of her and as her dad you know I am too! Although she will be leaving us in August 2009 for college, I am sure she will be back in the office at some point on her breaks from school. Here is a link with press info from the university if you are so inclined. http://www.otterathletics.com/news/2008/12/3/WWP_1203085528.aspx
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Another Year in the Rearview Mirror
It is hard to believe that another year is closing on us. It seems like this one went past much faster than all that have preceeded, and that is not all as bad as it sounds. Not to be a Hallmark card philosopher, but the passing of a year gives time for reflection. If you get a free moment to ponder your world you can ask some good, hard-hitting questions (much harder than those asked on, say, 60 Minutes). Questions like: "Why am I doing things this way?", "What do I want to accomplish this coming year?", and "Am I making a difference in anyone's life but my own?" You don't have to email anyone your responses or even whisper your answers to the person next to you. I tend to answer those questions in my head, and the answers tend to stay there forever but often the actions necessary to effect the answers physically manifest themselves. Somehow, and in some way.
The holidays are a nice season to reflect on these and many other questions. Many of us spend more time with family around the holidays than at other times of the year. The kids are on break from school; the family is in town for a visit; the crew in the office or shop seems to be smiling more, filled with ideas of coming holiday parties and fun times. People are often happier and they show it. It is a time of year for appreciation of others. That makes a healthy environment for self-question and self-answer. It is healthier because we are more relaxed. Yes, I can hear some say that the holidays are not a good time for that. They would argue that the holidays are filled with gift anxiety, busy stores, grumpy shoppers, and financially stressed shoppers, and they have a point. But, I would argue that all those things, the grumpiness, the stress and the anxiety, "belong" to others, and to self-reflect is possible by being in tune with yourself and tuning out the "others" and the stresses of the day.
I spent many years before I entered the coffee business in the federal public sector. I worked for alot of people over those years, many of whom should never have been supervisors. Their manner of dealing with their subordinates left quite a bit to be desired and if they were anything they were mostly organized against change in any way even if it was for a more efficient agency or easier working conditions. Not a tremendously introspective bunch in my recollection. By trying to be more introspective and using this time of year wisely I think I can answer some of my questions and clear the way for action to replace thoughts, and hopefully benefit my own future as well as the futures of those people whose daily activities involve me in some way.
Many of us wish to have a positive influence on today's major problems. I believe it is hard to see tangible results from our individual efforts on the big stuff; problems like malaria, world hunger, and freedom in oppressed countries. That is not to say that we should stop in those efforts, but making a difference in those issues requires, unless you are Bill and Melinda Gates, many, many people joined in a common effort. It is, however, easy to see real results from tackling smaller problems, and working together from that point on the bigger issues. It is easier, for instance, to see results from helping build a Habitat for Humanity home than it is to donate $50 or $500 to stop world hunger. It is also more personal. By helping to solve the problems close to home we extend ourselves, who we really are, in an unselfish and vulnerable way. By solving little problems close to home, the overall problems in the world are lessened to a degree. To those of you who give, my hat is off to you. And in this season, you are living the spirit.
The holidays are a nice season to reflect on these and many other questions. Many of us spend more time with family around the holidays than at other times of the year. The kids are on break from school; the family is in town for a visit; the crew in the office or shop seems to be smiling more, filled with ideas of coming holiday parties and fun times. People are often happier and they show it. It is a time of year for appreciation of others. That makes a healthy environment for self-question and self-answer. It is healthier because we are more relaxed. Yes, I can hear some say that the holidays are not a good time for that. They would argue that the holidays are filled with gift anxiety, busy stores, grumpy shoppers, and financially stressed shoppers, and they have a point. But, I would argue that all those things, the grumpiness, the stress and the anxiety, "belong" to others, and to self-reflect is possible by being in tune with yourself and tuning out the "others" and the stresses of the day.
I spent many years before I entered the coffee business in the federal public sector. I worked for alot of people over those years, many of whom should never have been supervisors. Their manner of dealing with their subordinates left quite a bit to be desired and if they were anything they were mostly organized against change in any way even if it was for a more efficient agency or easier working conditions. Not a tremendously introspective bunch in my recollection. By trying to be more introspective and using this time of year wisely I think I can answer some of my questions and clear the way for action to replace thoughts, and hopefully benefit my own future as well as the futures of those people whose daily activities involve me in some way.
Many of us wish to have a positive influence on today's major problems. I believe it is hard to see tangible results from our individual efforts on the big stuff; problems like malaria, world hunger, and freedom in oppressed countries. That is not to say that we should stop in those efforts, but making a difference in those issues requires, unless you are Bill and Melinda Gates, many, many people joined in a common effort. It is, however, easy to see real results from tackling smaller problems, and working together from that point on the bigger issues. It is easier, for instance, to see results from helping build a Habitat for Humanity home than it is to donate $50 or $500 to stop world hunger. It is also more personal. By helping to solve the problems close to home we extend ourselves, who we really are, in an unselfish and vulnerable way. By solving little problems close to home, the overall problems in the world are lessened to a degree. To those of you who give, my hat is off to you. And in this season, you are living the spirit.
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