Furlough Fear and Furlough Faith

Well, here we go again is all I can say.

It's been a while since I've blogged. This year has been one of the most difficult of my life. Ironically, it has also been the most busy. So, instead of writing all about it publicly as it happened, I've kept a journal and will turn some of the lessons learned into a series of posts at the end of the year.

For now, I'm home after going into the office to sign and submit the required furlough letter.

We went through this over the summer. It happened to amount to only six days, but it was spread across multiple pay periods which ironically ended up being a bigger pay cut than if it had all been in one paycheck. Go figure. Math can get wonky sometimes.

Being in a constant state of indecision brings a lot of anxiety and fear. I've had my share of mine through this entire dilemma. I've also had my share of work. Because I manage the development of dozens of products, those deadlines still had to be met despite the disrupted schedules the furloughs created. Most of us ended working more hours, for less money and with far more drama.

Sigh.

However, in those small moments where I'm by myself - I pray, I listen to scripture and I reflect upon life.

This is an opportunity for faith and growth. This is a chance to pursue new things. This is a chance to see the possibilities that I've been struggling to see because I've been so busy.

So, today I have no idea when the next paycheck will come. But, I do know I've been blessed with dozens of ideas that I've already started to pursue.

Let's see where this road takes us!

Slacker isn't a good word

Slacker isn't a good word for why I haven't been on this blog. I'm always busy and so that isn't an excuse. But, I've honestly forgotten about it. Trying to work full-time and be a part-time entrepreneur has left little room for some things...if only because the task doesn't come to the forefront of my mind.

So, what have I been doing while off this blog. Hmmm. Perhaps a couple of bullets will do:

• Dealing with furlough - yep, I've been furloughed. So, I have 11 fewer days of pay and ....in theory there are 11 fewer days of work. Except that isn't how it has gone. It has wreaked a bit of havoc on the job. We produce a lot of products and so all the schedules are all out of sync and it is creating more work.
• Taking my body back - lots of things have happened this year with health - stress, losses, scares, etc. This summer I've been diligent at swimming my laps at least twice a week and that has been wonderful amongst all the stress.
• Entrepreneurship - I've always wanted to be one, but with full-time work it is very difficult, But, http://www.nudgevillage.com is my website and I've got a few free courses on other sites that have over 500 students taking them! Pretty cool. I've paid a few coaches to teach me a few marketing principles and am finding that I know a lot about marketing. Just need to focus on what my product is, but ....hard to think on things when so much else going on.
• Moving on - time for a change. I've lived in the same place for almost 10 years and in the same area of the country for over 15 years! We'll see what happens. Maybe just a move to a different place. Who knows. Will keep you posted!
• Work - did I reference this above? Yes. It's been quite the year at work. I'm actually the "right hand woman" to a Dean that is setting up a new college in our organization. It is millions of dollars in projects and I get the joy of managing them. There have been many struggles along the way, but in the end I will be a more talented and marketable person, right? Seriously though - major lessons in leadership, management, culture, change, treating people well, risk, etc.
• Most importantly - the family - I'm trying to make time to see family amongst it all because the years are flying by. A few trips across country and even nearby. Family and friends are what it is all about, right? I'm putting my money where my mouth is and taking that time.

So, there it is - a bulleted list of what I should expound upon a bit more and with specific lessons learned and sharing. It does lack a bit of heart, but starting back into this Blogger space slowly.

Now, time to go read your blogs! It's been a while!

The Rich get Richer ...in a good way

Last night I had the opportunity to sit in a large room at our temple. A group of congregations (a stake) were invited to come for a special meeting. The last time we had one such meeting there were a few hundred people there. Last night there were almost 700 people in the room. Wow! I didn't even know it could hold so many people!

Either way, I looked around and realized this was a group of very successful people by the standards of society. They are all smart and talented, have wonderful families, have great jobs and extend service to others on a regular basis. Sure, they all have challenges, but as far as balance in life goes...they are on the right path.

I had seen most of them donating to the Mormon Helping Hands just weeks before - clothing, blankets, money and sweat equity. I've heard of what goes on behind the scenes.

It is a great reminder that whether we are in good times or bad in life, it is important to always be giving and serving to those around us. It is a state of mind, not of bank account.

Truly, if our hearts don't desire to share and serve others when we have nothing....what do we expect to change when we win the lottery? Rich, after all, isn't always about the mighty dollar, but more on the state of mind.

However, I hope that all of these friends stay wealthy and even grow their wealth.

Why?

Because I've seen them share it. I hadn't seen it before, but I've been able to see and hear first hand just how much is going on behind the scenes that I didn't know about. It isn't all about them. They are wealthy in mind, spirit, heart and money.

This is an inspiration for me to step up to the plate and be and do more. Not to get money rich, but to be spirit rich. Sometimes money rich comes in handy, but spirit rich fills the soul and reminds me of God's love. Plus, God somehow takes care of us if we strive to assist Him in being helping hands to those around us.

So, guess I'd better get up off this couch and start doing something because I don't think this particular blog is helping anyone...or if I'm lucky it will be helpful to my one blog reader. Haa.

Happy Sabbath!

Friendship - the Power of Choice

Friendship is a strange thing to me. What attracts me to different people and not others? Many people that are close friends aren't really like me. Others are completely like me. I'm drawn to same, opposite and everything in between. Yet, at the same time, repelled by the same.

I've had interactions lately with people I've gone through "stuff" with - church stuff, work stuff, volunteer stuff, etc. With some of them, I've even cried and shared deep feelings. Yet, it is a very compartmentalized type of friendship - only in the context of church, work or neighbor.

Others extend beyond those boundaries. Maybe being a roommate at some point in life helps. You truly know each others dirty laundry. (-:

Conducting a brief analysis in my brain today, I've temporarily decided that perhaps the difference is in our choosing of the friend, no?

I really like a lot of people that I work with at church and at work. I even like my neighbors. But, we've been put in situations where we must work and collaborate together. We learn to do so and often form great friendships. 

But, often don't go to that next level. I don't try to find ways to meet up with them randomly. I don't text them when there is a piece of good news. 

Hmmm.

Perhaps it comes down to matters of the heart - what levels of heart we get to share when we are with them and how they respond to those intimate soul bearing moments, or maybe what level of judgement we see them place on their own lives and others.

Either way, I'm grateful for friends. Those I've chosen and those that are "organized" into my path of existence.