Sunday, April 19, 2009
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Hard Work
A great man once said, “I have a Dream!”, and it was a good one. All men and women need to have a dream. The greatness of the dream isn’t as important as the dream itself. A person without a dream for something better for themselves, is a person without any hope, and a questionable reason to exist at all.
A dream can be as farfetched as you want. If you want to build a space ship like the “Enterprise” on “Star Trek”, than go for it, as long as you work at, and just don’t sit around talking about over a beer with friends. By working hard towards something, no matter how outlandish it seems, you have given your life purpose, and through your perseverance, you provide hope to others. I can’t think of anything nobler than bring hope to other.
A dream without any hard work is just a fantasy, and a fantasy no matter how wonderful doesn’t do anyone any good, not even the person with the fantasy. If Marten Luther King Jr. had just sat around fantasizing about his dream, just think what sad state of affairs our world would be. He might have had a longer life span, but never truly lived. Thankfully for us all, he put great effort into his dream, and we are all enjoying the fruits of his labor.
The key to a great dream are in 2 four letter words, Hard Work. Some would say people don’t know how to work, let alone hard work, but I have to wonder if it’s because they have been stripped of their reward for hard work. The famous words of our Declaration of Independence, quoted by Marten Luther states, “All men are created equal”, has been twisted to meaningless proportions.
We are all created equal, but it doesn’t mean we are all the same, nor should we be. We are all equal in our right to pursue happiness, but we are not the same in what makes us happy. Some need 5 million in assets to make them happy, and others are happy to have five bucks in the wallet. Injustice comes when people are made to feel bad for having more, or less than others. Why make me eat lobster, when I prefer a hamburger.
The popularity of “Sameness”, otherwise known as Socialism, has left many feeling guilty for wanting more, and to be different. With guilt replacing reward, the main incentive for hard work has been taken away. In the process changing many dreams into just fantasies, and crippling hope in general.
I never knew Martin Luther, nor am I great historian who has studied him, but from reading his speech, I believe his dream was for all people to be equal, not the same. I am sure some will want to debate with me on his meaning of words, but let’s focus on his example of his hard work. Let our hard work be a beacon of light, and hope to others, as we pursue our dreams.
A dream can be as farfetched as you want. If you want to build a space ship like the “Enterprise” on “Star Trek”, than go for it, as long as you work at, and just don’t sit around talking about over a beer with friends. By working hard towards something, no matter how outlandish it seems, you have given your life purpose, and through your perseverance, you provide hope to others. I can’t think of anything nobler than bring hope to other.
A dream without any hard work is just a fantasy, and a fantasy no matter how wonderful doesn’t do anyone any good, not even the person with the fantasy. If Marten Luther King Jr. had just sat around fantasizing about his dream, just think what sad state of affairs our world would be. He might have had a longer life span, but never truly lived. Thankfully for us all, he put great effort into his dream, and we are all enjoying the fruits of his labor.
The key to a great dream are in 2 four letter words, Hard Work. Some would say people don’t know how to work, let alone hard work, but I have to wonder if it’s because they have been stripped of their reward for hard work. The famous words of our Declaration of Independence, quoted by Marten Luther states, “All men are created equal”, has been twisted to meaningless proportions.
We are all created equal, but it doesn’t mean we are all the same, nor should we be. We are all equal in our right to pursue happiness, but we are not the same in what makes us happy. Some need 5 million in assets to make them happy, and others are happy to have five bucks in the wallet. Injustice comes when people are made to feel bad for having more, or less than others. Why make me eat lobster, when I prefer a hamburger.
The popularity of “Sameness”, otherwise known as Socialism, has left many feeling guilty for wanting more, and to be different. With guilt replacing reward, the main incentive for hard work has been taken away. In the process changing many dreams into just fantasies, and crippling hope in general.
I never knew Martin Luther, nor am I great historian who has studied him, but from reading his speech, I believe his dream was for all people to be equal, not the same. I am sure some will want to debate with me on his meaning of words, but let’s focus on his example of his hard work. Let our hard work be a beacon of light, and hope to others, as we pursue our dreams.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Gifts
As a Christian, this is one subject I could easily bring up the gift of Christ, but that seems to be such a turn off for some, so I will reframe from making this a religious story, and just cover the events in one of my recent weeks.
As a person geared more to things of old, like typewriters, instead of computers, I have been kind of slow coming into the 21st century. This all changed 6 months ago, believe it or not, due to a typewriter, but I will save that story for another time.
A few weeks ago I met a young person in one of the forums I now frequent, who was stressing about the need of a typewriter, but no funds. I had an extra typewriter which was in great shape, a fresh ribbon, with its only flaw being a color I hadn’t fallen in love with. Since it was given to me, the only proper thing to do was to give it to someone else who wanted it. I thought I had found this person, and even offered to pay for the shipping.
Over the course of a week, and many emails, I was left with no real decision of acceptance (no address given to send it), or declining. I even gave references of character, with phone numbers to easily check, including my local sheriff, whom I have worked for. Personally I would have accepted a yes or no, without problem, but the wishy, washy, undecidedness took the joy right out of the giving.
This brings me to the very next week. Through another forum discussing keyboards, I asked about availability of a special two piece keyboard for my wife. A couple of quick responses helped me find just what my wife needed. I thanked them very much for the info, and mentioned we are now saving up for one. I then took a couple of days off from the computer, to finish typing out my book (hopefully coming out this fall). Yes, I know shameless plug.
When I got back to check my email, I found one from a gentleman on the forum for keyboards wondering if I had seen his post. In short, he wanted to donate the money for a keyboard for my wife. I was surprised, and flabbergasted, to say the least. I didn’t even know this person, and not being one who has never received a gift from a stranger, I didn’t know what to do. Normally I am the one doing the giving, but if I was to learn anything from the previous week, I had a decision to make.
I politely, humbly, and with great thanks, accepted his gift. I didn’t accept just for my wife and mine’s sake, but also for the person giving us the gift. You see when the other person didn’t except my gift, two people missed out on its joy, them and me. I find great joy in giving, and that was taken away from me.
If you ever want to have fun during Christmas time, or any time, pay for the person’s stuff in the checkout line before you. Or if you want to double the fun, give the money to the checkout person, and let them decide whose stuff it should be used for. You both get the gift of giving. Something tells me, if more found the joy of giving, there would be less need in the world.
As a person geared more to things of old, like typewriters, instead of computers, I have been kind of slow coming into the 21st century. This all changed 6 months ago, believe it or not, due to a typewriter, but I will save that story for another time.
A few weeks ago I met a young person in one of the forums I now frequent, who was stressing about the need of a typewriter, but no funds. I had an extra typewriter which was in great shape, a fresh ribbon, with its only flaw being a color I hadn’t fallen in love with. Since it was given to me, the only proper thing to do was to give it to someone else who wanted it. I thought I had found this person, and even offered to pay for the shipping.
Over the course of a week, and many emails, I was left with no real decision of acceptance (no address given to send it), or declining. I even gave references of character, with phone numbers to easily check, including my local sheriff, whom I have worked for. Personally I would have accepted a yes or no, without problem, but the wishy, washy, undecidedness took the joy right out of the giving.
This brings me to the very next week. Through another forum discussing keyboards, I asked about availability of a special two piece keyboard for my wife. A couple of quick responses helped me find just what my wife needed. I thanked them very much for the info, and mentioned we are now saving up for one. I then took a couple of days off from the computer, to finish typing out my book (hopefully coming out this fall). Yes, I know shameless plug.
When I got back to check my email, I found one from a gentleman on the forum for keyboards wondering if I had seen his post. In short, he wanted to donate the money for a keyboard for my wife. I was surprised, and flabbergasted, to say the least. I didn’t even know this person, and not being one who has never received a gift from a stranger, I didn’t know what to do. Normally I am the one doing the giving, but if I was to learn anything from the previous week, I had a decision to make.
I politely, humbly, and with great thanks, accepted his gift. I didn’t accept just for my wife and mine’s sake, but also for the person giving us the gift. You see when the other person didn’t except my gift, two people missed out on its joy, them and me. I find great joy in giving, and that was taken away from me.
If you ever want to have fun during Christmas time, or any time, pay for the person’s stuff in the checkout line before you. Or if you want to double the fun, give the money to the checkout person, and let them decide whose stuff it should be used for. You both get the gift of giving. Something tells me, if more found the joy of giving, there would be less need in the world.
Friday, April 3, 2009
The Unskilled Technician
An unskilled technician sounds just as likely as responsible government spending. A technician is supposed to be skilled in their given field. If they are not then they are called trainees.
I just got back from a sales meeting where the manufacture was showing those of us in my field the lasted products to make our lives, and the customer’s life easier. The presentation was dry, but the products were a great improvement, enough so, you wonder why they didn’t do it earlier. What caught me by surprise was one of my fellow tradesman. He wanted to know if the new product was idiot proof enough to keep someone from installing a wire without stripping the wire back far enough. To put this into perspective the wire needed to be stripped back between ¼” to ½”. He was worried that his guys wouldn’t strip the wire back far enough, and a couple of other people joined in, worried about the same thing. The question, I have is, if there technician is skilled enough to hook up a couple of dozen wires to a control panel, how can they not be skilled enough to strip the wires back the proper distance.
In the days not to long past we used to have to make our own control center with relays and individually wire them together. Now with today’s electronics what we use to do with dozens of relays, can be controlled with on electronic panel that works much better.
Every day there are new tools coming out in the industries across the board, which are designed to help the unskilled do their job. The tools don’t make things faster or better for those who are skilled, usually it’s just the opposite, but they are here because the skilled work force has been declining at an alarming rate. I don’t know if its laziness, or if people are just not caring, but for some reason people aren’t wanting to learn. Maybe their just too impatience to take the time to learn, or they never experience the simple wonderful joy of learning and improving their ability.
I wish I was talking about just our younger generation, but unfortunately I have noticed parents and grand parents acting the same way.
This is America, the land of the Free and the Proud. Its time we rolled up our sleeves and got to work, and stopped excepting mediocrity from everything, including ourselves.
I just got back from a sales meeting where the manufacture was showing those of us in my field the lasted products to make our lives, and the customer’s life easier. The presentation was dry, but the products were a great improvement, enough so, you wonder why they didn’t do it earlier. What caught me by surprise was one of my fellow tradesman. He wanted to know if the new product was idiot proof enough to keep someone from installing a wire without stripping the wire back far enough. To put this into perspective the wire needed to be stripped back between ¼” to ½”. He was worried that his guys wouldn’t strip the wire back far enough, and a couple of other people joined in, worried about the same thing. The question, I have is, if there technician is skilled enough to hook up a couple of dozen wires to a control panel, how can they not be skilled enough to strip the wires back the proper distance.
In the days not to long past we used to have to make our own control center with relays and individually wire them together. Now with today’s electronics what we use to do with dozens of relays, can be controlled with on electronic panel that works much better.
Every day there are new tools coming out in the industries across the board, which are designed to help the unskilled do their job. The tools don’t make things faster or better for those who are skilled, usually it’s just the opposite, but they are here because the skilled work force has been declining at an alarming rate. I don’t know if its laziness, or if people are just not caring, but for some reason people aren’t wanting to learn. Maybe their just too impatience to take the time to learn, or they never experience the simple wonderful joy of learning and improving their ability.
I wish I was talking about just our younger generation, but unfortunately I have noticed parents and grand parents acting the same way.
This is America, the land of the Free and the Proud. Its time we rolled up our sleeves and got to work, and stopped excepting mediocrity from everything, including ourselves.
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