Sunday, October 31, 2010
Sunday, October 24, 2010
The Employee
Imagine a poor, sickly person getting a well-paying job at a company with great health benefits and an unbelievable retirement program. How would that person feel? Saved? Grateful? Motivated? Obligated? All of the above.
In time, these emotions would probably settle, replaced with the more mundane, day-to-day attitudes of an employee. After all, the company chose him for a reason, even if those reasons are not entirely clear. So, in order to generate the respectful, initial emotions, he attends a meeting once a week to remind him. Sometimes the meetings need music and inspiring speeches to generate the proper emotions---it’s pretty much the same story every week---but generally he leaves with the proper attitudes in place for another work week.
During the week, however, the attitude of this employee fluctuates depending on the demands of the company and the quality of the continuing benefits. There are no complaints about retirement. That is a sure thing. It’s usually the size of the paycheck or the quality of the health care program that can sometimes create tension between him and the heads of the company. Sometimes the payoff just doesn’t seem equitable to the work.
Also, the work environment is a challenge. There are definitely some personality conflicts between employees, creating a cliquish mentality. Some receive a higher paycheck or seem to have better health coverage. Others seem completely neglected. It’s not exactly a fair system, but no one is about to complain. The company saved them all, it’s none of their business to stick their noses into the way the company is run. Besides, there is a terrific retirement plan waiting for them.
Then one day the employee asks an important question: What does this company do?
The company, as it turns out, installs huge power generators in places that are cut off from civilization, allowing them to have light, resources, and communication. The more the employee grows to understand the work of the company, the less he scrutinizes his paycheck and benefit plan. He has a new motivation to support to the company, work well with the other employees, and get excited about the work. He is also more aggressive against programs that would impede the work, even from within the company.
The employee is soon noticed and promoted to more interesting work. He is given training in new skills, given more authority, even a staff of his own. For motivation, he simply thinks about the good the company is doing in the world, or even visits some of the places where a new generator is being installed or telephone poles are being planted.
He still attends the weekly meetings, but not to muster up emotions or get information about the company, he gets plenty of that during the week. No, he goes to encourage the other employees, to show them what they are a part of, and to warn them against the companies and cultures that are trying so hard to stop the work. And he never takes off the uniform.
-John Barnts (the best Bible teacher I've ever had)
Also. Yes. He does make his own parables. How awesome is that right? :D
In time, these emotions would probably settle, replaced with the more mundane, day-to-day attitudes of an employee. After all, the company chose him for a reason, even if those reasons are not entirely clear. So, in order to generate the respectful, initial emotions, he attends a meeting once a week to remind him. Sometimes the meetings need music and inspiring speeches to generate the proper emotions---it’s pretty much the same story every week---but generally he leaves with the proper attitudes in place for another work week.
During the week, however, the attitude of this employee fluctuates depending on the demands of the company and the quality of the continuing benefits. There are no complaints about retirement. That is a sure thing. It’s usually the size of the paycheck or the quality of the health care program that can sometimes create tension between him and the heads of the company. Sometimes the payoff just doesn’t seem equitable to the work.
Also, the work environment is a challenge. There are definitely some personality conflicts between employees, creating a cliquish mentality. Some receive a higher paycheck or seem to have better health coverage. Others seem completely neglected. It’s not exactly a fair system, but no one is about to complain. The company saved them all, it’s none of their business to stick their noses into the way the company is run. Besides, there is a terrific retirement plan waiting for them.
Then one day the employee asks an important question: What does this company do?
The company, as it turns out, installs huge power generators in places that are cut off from civilization, allowing them to have light, resources, and communication. The more the employee grows to understand the work of the company, the less he scrutinizes his paycheck and benefit plan. He has a new motivation to support to the company, work well with the other employees, and get excited about the work. He is also more aggressive against programs that would impede the work, even from within the company.
The employee is soon noticed and promoted to more interesting work. He is given training in new skills, given more authority, even a staff of his own. For motivation, he simply thinks about the good the company is doing in the world, or even visits some of the places where a new generator is being installed or telephone poles are being planted.
He still attends the weekly meetings, but not to muster up emotions or get information about the company, he gets plenty of that during the week. No, he goes to encourage the other employees, to show them what they are a part of, and to warn them against the companies and cultures that are trying so hard to stop the work. And he never takes off the uniform.
-John Barnts (the best Bible teacher I've ever had)
Also. Yes. He does make his own parables. How awesome is that right? :D
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Man v. Machine
Do you ever feel like you're surrounded and you have no escape? That's how I feel about technology, but more specifically, with computers. Just a couple of minutes ago, I was peacefully studying for my exam. Now I am writing this blog. See what I mean? I have this unquenchable desire to drop whatever I'm doing, run over to the nearest piece of technology, and rapidly press all of it's buttons. It might just be curiosity, but it's getting the better of me. This is just ridiculous.
I think I'm going to go on a computer fast. Until I can control my desire to know who's on AIM, the latest news feed, or someone's status , I don't think I'll be on for a while.
Bye.
I think I'm going to go on a computer fast. Until I can control my desire to know who's on AIM, the latest news feed, or someone's status , I don't think I'll be on for a while.
Bye.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Facebook.
GO AWAY!! YOU'RE RUINING MY LIFE!! ALNALNALSDFJMGVLKAFDMKANMDAFA;LKJ;AF!!!!
-Love Daniel Kang
Sunday, October 10, 2010
10/9/07
I have never talked about this with anyone. I repeat, anyone. However, I believe it is about time to let my thoughts run free like a gazelle in the African wild.
On the 9th of October, my cousin, Anna, passed away. I loved her very much. She was like a sister to me. I had spent almost my entire childhood with her, and in less than a week, she was gone. It was her obnoxious, yet lovable attitude that always made my day. I could always tell when she was home. She would always scream with joy and run down the stairs to greet everyone. Laughter would always permeate throughout our family as she was always the butt of our jokes. O the great times.
In a sense, she was almost like a role-model to me. She was so unique and so talented. And I, on the other hand, was quiet and without any unique ability. She was everything I ever wanted to be, but she was just so different. Once she was gone, I strove to take her place, but it was just too much. It was like trying to make two magnets of the same polarity stay together.
My aunt was a complete mess when Anna passed away. Like every other parent, she cried, and cried, and cried, and cried. Once, I overheard her say that she was afraid to go back home. Just the thought of going back to a place where Anna lived a giant chunk of her life was almost too much for my aunt. Seeing this broke me down. I would have easily taken Anna's place. I simply hate people crying. I hate seeing people in pain. In a sense, you could say that I am a sucker for those commercials that appeal to pity.
One day, someone told me that despite, my family's tragedy, I always looked happy. I looked like as if nothing had ever happened. I was completely caught off guard. I never even realized that I was doing this.At school, I had unknowingly put on a mask to hid my pain. Then it suddenly dawned on me that I had been putting on a mask everywhere I went. I always looked happy and without worries.
I still miss her. I really wish she were here right now.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Roasted Peanuts
As I was casually eating my lightly roasted peanuts while doing my homework, I realized that something felt a little off. Did I forget the one homework that would determine my future? Was I supposed to be somewhere? Was I allergic to peanuts? Luckily, it was none of the above. So what then was causing me this unanswerable distress? As random as it sounds, I realized that it was my grades that was making me worry. Throughout my high school career, I've been able to get nearly straight A's, with an occasional -A or B, with relative ease. Currently, I have, I believe, three B's and four A's. I am aware that it could be worse, but this is not my goal. It's senior year, so theoretically, it should be easier or the same as junior year. I don't even think I have senioritis yet (hopefully I don't). This may possibly make me sound fatter than I really am, metaphorically of course, but this is a serious issue. I will not end my high school year ending poorly. I also forgot to mention that I have a bet on the line. I get a very good reward if I get straight A's! :)
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