Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Starting Over or Second Chances

Yesterday I got a call from the Manager of Casey’s General Store. She offered me a job as a cashier. I was so happy that I got the call and called three other people to let them know. Within the hour, I went in and filled out the necessary paperwork for employment. My hours will be 4-11:15 pm Tues – Saturday this week for training.

Of course the salary will be almost half of what I was making before I became unemployed. With the economic in recession and tumbling towards depression, unemployment rate increasing every month, and consumer prices at it’s highest then ever before, I am happy that I am able to get employment. Unfortunately, this will not pay all my bills, but it’s a start.

My first job was at Andris Waunee Farm as a busgirl. I worked most Wednesday, Friday and Saturday night. I enjoyed the work there because I enjoy interacting with people. I was looking at my ring this morning and remembered that I bought this ring for $59 with my first paycheck from Waunee Farm. I am glad I bought this ring, because it bring back wonderful memories which I can cherish for a life time.

This morning as you may have read in Steve’s post, he found out that he is a diabetic. He will be on medication and learn a healthy lifestyle of eating and exercises. Although this is not the news anyone want to hear, but if we all can change our lifestyles then we can live a long life for us and our family.

Recently, there has been a new saying in the media, advertisements, and spiritual messages. That saying is: “I am putting ME back on the list.” When we learn to put ME back on the list by taking care of ourselves first, then we can extend ourselves in serving others.

As we take a good look at ourselves in the mirror, sometimes we asked why am I not happy or I am the luckiest person in the world. What do you see when you look in the mirror? What are the questions will you ask? Do you focus on the negative or the positive?

If we go after our dreams, our purpose in life, then we are able to look in the mirror and see how much we love who we are. If we don’t love who we are after we look in the mirror, then how we see ourselves will reflect on how others see us too.

Many of us have the notion that it takes someone or the material things to make us happy. If only I could be with so and so....If I can win the lottery, then my troubles will go away...If I buy a new car, then people will love and respect me....(reminds you of the what ifs I wrote :-)) These things or person will only provide instant gratification or temporary happiness (conditional). It is not up to someone else to make us happy, it is up to “ME” by loving and accepting who we are as a person.

As you reflect on your life or maybe find yourself in a place of "deja vu", maybe it's your second chance in life to make the right choices. Have you ever had a relationship with someone and moved on and later in life they show up again? It is usually a person that had a significant impact on who you are as a person. That is what I call the circle of life.

When I was young, I had a babysitter named, Hazel. Both my parents worked to make ends meet. I was with Hazel until I was able to stay at home alone. My brothers continued to stay there until it was time for them to move on. The times I visited Hazel were the numbers I could count on one hand. Then one day as I was working as a social work for the elderly population, Hazel's name came up as my client. At one time she served as a babysitter, then I was able to give back by serving to help her with her needs. The full circle of life.

Sometimes the deja vu mean to start over and get a second chance in life. A chance to see if you have learned from your past mistakes. A chance to make the right choices so you are able to love what you see in the mirror.

So what does this have to do with getting a job at Casey’s. It’s finally getting a chance to do what I enjoy doing. Being with people and interacting with them. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed working with my clients in social work. But working at Casey's will enable me to be humble and enjoy relationships with others rather than material things.

If you are going through life that is not where you want to be or going through a deja vu for the second, third or even fourth time in your life, maybe this is your second chance to start over by looking at your situation in a new perspective. Maybe this is your chance to make the right choice that will put you on track to loving that person you see in the mirror.

Why not take the time to look in the mirror and ask yourself questions. No one is looking, no one can hear you. This is the time to answer honestly. When you are able to answer honestly, then pray and listen. Listen to that still small voice. The answer is within you.

1 comment:

  1. Congratulations on your new employment at Caseys!!! This is a very good post. You pose an interesting point when talking about making the right choice which will put me on the track of loving the person in the mirror. Second chances. I wonder what that 2nd chance truly means for me? Only time will tell.

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