It's Monday morning... again, it came like it does every week... It's not that I wasn't prepared for it, I just like being in my bed more. I have released my 7th video today on YouTube, and I must say, I'm pretty excited about it... You should check it out and let me know what you think... Have a great day, may your Monday not be a bad start... Hopefully it's full of awesome amazing wonderful happy surprises that make you smile... Here's the video link for your viewing pleasure.
Happy viewing :)
Monday, April 27, 2015
Thursday, April 23, 2015
Are you valued?
There is much discussion on what it's like to feel undervalued in our lives. From work to our personal events to our kids to our parents, we all seem to know what it's like to feel like we are worthless. But what about the opposite side of that? When was the last time you felt like you were truly valued by the people all around you, not just the ones you hold the closest?
I have had a few jobs, and done different things at each one of them. I always wondered how my little part in the bigger picture made a difference. Did I make a difference to anyone there? Was I valued by my supervisors in any way? Depending on the job and the time, I have wondered this. Even now, I have doubts about it. Where I am at now, I know, for a fact, that I am a big part of what we do here. I know that what I do makes a difference for the people that I work for (my clients that is) and I know that they (my clients) do value what I do. But, this isn't always the case, for me and for many others out there.
When I was 16, I got a job at the local grocery store bringing in carts and sweeping the floors and taking out the track and bagging groceries. Not the most glamorous job I have ever had, but, it was a starting point. I worked endlessly for minimum pay (at that time it was $5.25 an hour.... 20 years ago) for people who saw what I did as the lowest man on the totum pole position. I closed more nights than I should have and I worked for hours in the summer time outside pushing carts. I never really heard thank you from the management team. I mean yes, they would say thank you for doing such a great job scrubbing out the drains in the back room, but, I didn't feel like what I did made a difference. I got to be a cashier the longer that I worked there and that was cooler. Got a raise, yay, and at the end of the day I still felt overworked and undervalued. When I finally quit when I was 19, I moves to the big city to work at a school as financial aid clerk. Wow, talk about a different work environment!! I made a huge difference and what I did was important to the running of the school. I mean, I was a kid, and I had this amazing job and I felt important (mostly) and what I did was important. It was awesome!!
I didn't last long there, about 6 months and then I was fired. Yes, I was fired from a job. So fast forward about a year after that. I was now 21, and in the US Navy. 9/11 had just happened and I was going to the USS John F. Kennedy for the service. My job was to wipe oil off of an engine, sweep and clean the spaces we were in charge of, clean salt water corrosion off of gauge lines, do preventive maintainence on different things, and stand a watch (which consisted of taking reading on gauges of fire pumps in all the pump rooms, 5 of them, and take readings on the air pressure for the air start system on the Emergency Diesel Generators or EDG's) for 4 hours a day, 1 reading on all of these every hour, everyday. We were also in charge of doing a boat report every single day, in port or underway. I failed to see in any way, how what I was doing was making a difference. It was during a time of war, and we did our jobs and because of where I worked in the ship, I just couldn't see it. Even now, I understand why I was there to do that job, but, I fail to see how it helped the mission.
When I got transferred to the West Coast, I became the RPPO for our division (Repair Parts Petty Officer) which meant I got to order parts and write jobs for anything that broke in our division. I was the only female in the division for a while, so naturally, I got (what I call) the bitch work. In the two years that I served on board the USS Boxer, I ordered the wrong part twice. And the reason I still remember this, is because it was such a huge deal that I had messed up and had done something wrong. Not only were the guys surprised that I had screwed up, but so were my male supervisors. Only one of those times did I really get into trouble for it. As the RPPO, I had to just through hoops to get parts, I had to go to other ships for relief valves, I had to get things from the shore parts places. Not only did I have to go get the parts, I had to locate them, write job orders for them, make sure that it was approved and then, I had to get it to the correct shop in a timely manner. One day, the ship was waiting for me to get back so we could get underway. That should give you an idea of how important this job was and how incredibly important it was that I did this job well.
I remember very specifically when I had stayed until long after everyone was already home, coming back from going to a different ship to get a relief valve, my Senior Chief said thank you and good job. I can't tell you how much that meant to me. It was the most rewarding compliment I had been paid in so long. And it was all I needed to hear to keep going for another year before I was paid another compliment. In the military, you are given an evaluation every year. This is where what I did would be noticed. I got the highest eval marks I had ever received as well as an EP (Early Promote). The system only goes to a 5.0. A 3.0 is average. It means you're doing your job well and that you're on your way to making rank. That year, I got a 4.56. I cannot tell you how excited I was. I was also ranked out of the E-5's in our department as number 5. Which means, out of all of the E-5's in our department, only 4 outdid me in job performance. There was over a 50 of us, so being 5th was a great thing for me. I couldn't have been more proud. I knew I was valued and I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that I was important to the mission at hand. I was shit-hot!! It was a great feeling to feel like I mattered to the place I worked. I was on my way to making rank even faster when I made a stupid call, because at 25 you're still making stupid calls, and it all went away.
Devastation is what I felt. Heartbroken at what I had lost, in fact, it hurt so much, that for the first 4 years, YEARS, afterwards, I couldn't talk about it without breaking down and sobbing. It was the worst blow of my professional career that I had ever had. The first two jobs I had after that, I didn't feel like I mattered at all to anyone where I worked. I was as dispensable as anyone could be. The next job, when we had moved to Louisiana, after I had small fry, I wouldn't go so far as to say that I did made a difference, but, to the ones that I worked with, I felt a connection to them. In fact, when faced with even more adversity than I had ever expected, I was able to rely on them more than I thought I would need them, and now, 7 years after I left Sulphur, I still love them and I know that they had made a huge impact on my life.
When I got home, I took a job at Lowe's. It was still being built, and we worked long hard hours everyday getting that store ready. It was so much fun. At first, I was just a cashier. Within a month I was working in the Admin office. This is where we would prepare the deposit for the store, balance the store, and prepare the money for the next day. I loved what I did. Not only did I love what I was doing, but, I know that what I did made a difference. It was a great job! My supervisors were so easy for me to get along with (except the store manager who hated that he told me to get rid of my music and I didn't, because I was not going to spend all day in that room with nothing to listen to. Not even the buzz or hum of the computer) and I couldn't have asked for a better group of people to be around. I loved it so much. I feel like I grew up while I was there too. I was going through a divorce at the time, and I spent a lot of time crying in my office alone. I started dating a guy I worked with and when that didn't work out either, I was once again, left crying in my office a lot. I was there two and half years before I decided to go back to school.
Once in school, I knew I didn't want to be at work anymore. I loved all that I was learning and loved that what I was learning, was changing my whole life for the better. It was that life changing event that makes your eyes open and you feel like you know what's going on for the first time in your life. It was amazing. I started to hate being at work, not because I didn't like working, but, because I wanted to learn more. When I decided to quit and do a work study program, all of my work colleagues were surprised as well as shocked. I mean, who leaves the perfect job to go to school for less money and less hours?!
Miss Charlotte was the most awesome lady I have ever worked for and I am so glad that I got to know her. In life you don't get to choose who your family is, but, I will forever consider her to be my family, that's how much she made me feel like I was worth it. I wouldn't be where I am without her, that's for sure. On my last day, Miss Charlotte brought my a beautiful arrangement of fall flowers and made me feel like I was really going to be missed. I couldn't have asked for a better send off. It was amazing and I cried knowing that I was leaving someone that I loved.
Well, the work study program didn't work quite as well as I had hoped for. It did allow me to learn so much and my teacher was always saying thank you for your work and I loved it. It was well worth the time that I spend there. But, when it came down to it, I needed to get paid and it wasn't happening like I had needed it to. So, I went back to Lowe's. I was to work up front at the Customer Service Desk and I did like that... I'm not going to lie, it was fun. I worked part time, took shifts when I could, got to work almost as much as I did when I was full time. Just had to do it on the weekends now too. I know that the people that I worked for liked having me there, I was a good part of the team, and I enjoyed it. Up to a point that is.
Once out of school, I took a Head Cashier position, and then, the position that I really wanted came up. It was for receiving clerk. I so wanted this job! But, I didn't get it. Instead I took a different position of LTL Stocker. This was, by far, the most thankless, hardest, physically demanding job I had had since being on the Kennedy. I worked so hard at it! I was there doing that for just about exactly a year. And within that year, I had worked so hard in a position that was so unappreciated and made to feel like I was so worthless that when the opportunity came up to work full time as a Massage Therapist, I took it. Instantly, I took it. I was heartbroken when I left. My boss didn't speak to me from the time I turned in my notice until after I left. No one said a word to me when I left that last day, and I cried a lot over this. It was heartbreaking not only because I felt like a piece of shit most days after leaving work, but, because I was leaving, my family that I had been with from a very hard time in my life to that time (I had my family that I lived with, but these people had seem me at my worst and my best and they were, in essence, my family).
There have been good days and bad days working as an LMT. I know what I do makes a difference, yet, hearing it more than once a year is really nice. I love love love my clients. They are the reason that I keep coming to work. I feel like I do something to help others and that makes my life so much more fulfilling. I don't always agree with everyone here, but, I know that my clients depend on me, and I don't want to let them down. They are, after all, the reason I have a job. I am so grateful for the people that I have met and the lives that I feel apart of now. My clients value me... that's a fantastic feeling. However, and I say this with as much kindness as I can, I am not paid what I am worth, by a long shot. In the last few weeks, we have been undergoing a lot of changes in our office, and in the long run, it's going to make this place even better, but, with changes comes a lot of stress. I can say that we are all under a great deal of stress and I have no clue when it's going to even out. I am hoping within another month or so. And at that time, I suspect that my boss and I will talk about a lot of things.
After all of my experience with working and life, it seems strange that so many fail to see that a simple thank you for your hard work will take them so far. It's the one thing that makes you feel like you have value and are appreciated. So, for all of you who have employees, kids, friends, make sure you tell them that what they do is important and that you value the work that they put in. Do it often, you will be surprised that amount of respect they give when you show them a little appreciation and kindness. Words are like gunshots. Once they are out, there is no taking it back. Wounds heal after time, but that scar will remain. Take care of the people who work for you, and they will take care of you. Show them you care, pay them well for what they do. And most importantly, realize that how you treat others is a direct reflection of how you treat yourself. By not valuing the people you're around everyday, they will leave and yes, you will have to find someone else to work, but, they are people too, and they have feelings. And they hurt just as much as you do when someone steps all over your feelings. As an adult, I try to not let it show, but, the heart is mysterious thing, and you would be surprised by the scars that it can carry. Take care of others, they are trying to make it in life, just like you.
I have had a few jobs, and done different things at each one of them. I always wondered how my little part in the bigger picture made a difference. Did I make a difference to anyone there? Was I valued by my supervisors in any way? Depending on the job and the time, I have wondered this. Even now, I have doubts about it. Where I am at now, I know, for a fact, that I am a big part of what we do here. I know that what I do makes a difference for the people that I work for (my clients that is) and I know that they (my clients) do value what I do. But, this isn't always the case, for me and for many others out there.
When I was 16, I got a job at the local grocery store bringing in carts and sweeping the floors and taking out the track and bagging groceries. Not the most glamorous job I have ever had, but, it was a starting point. I worked endlessly for minimum pay (at that time it was $5.25 an hour.... 20 years ago) for people who saw what I did as the lowest man on the totum pole position. I closed more nights than I should have and I worked for hours in the summer time outside pushing carts. I never really heard thank you from the management team. I mean yes, they would say thank you for doing such a great job scrubbing out the drains in the back room, but, I didn't feel like what I did made a difference. I got to be a cashier the longer that I worked there and that was cooler. Got a raise, yay, and at the end of the day I still felt overworked and undervalued. When I finally quit when I was 19, I moves to the big city to work at a school as financial aid clerk. Wow, talk about a different work environment!! I made a huge difference and what I did was important to the running of the school. I mean, I was a kid, and I had this amazing job and I felt important (mostly) and what I did was important. It was awesome!!
I didn't last long there, about 6 months and then I was fired. Yes, I was fired from a job. So fast forward about a year after that. I was now 21, and in the US Navy. 9/11 had just happened and I was going to the USS John F. Kennedy for the service. My job was to wipe oil off of an engine, sweep and clean the spaces we were in charge of, clean salt water corrosion off of gauge lines, do preventive maintainence on different things, and stand a watch (which consisted of taking reading on gauges of fire pumps in all the pump rooms, 5 of them, and take readings on the air pressure for the air start system on the Emergency Diesel Generators or EDG's) for 4 hours a day, 1 reading on all of these every hour, everyday. We were also in charge of doing a boat report every single day, in port or underway. I failed to see in any way, how what I was doing was making a difference. It was during a time of war, and we did our jobs and because of where I worked in the ship, I just couldn't see it. Even now, I understand why I was there to do that job, but, I fail to see how it helped the mission.
When I got transferred to the West Coast, I became the RPPO for our division (Repair Parts Petty Officer) which meant I got to order parts and write jobs for anything that broke in our division. I was the only female in the division for a while, so naturally, I got (what I call) the bitch work. In the two years that I served on board the USS Boxer, I ordered the wrong part twice. And the reason I still remember this, is because it was such a huge deal that I had messed up and had done something wrong. Not only were the guys surprised that I had screwed up, but so were my male supervisors. Only one of those times did I really get into trouble for it. As the RPPO, I had to just through hoops to get parts, I had to go to other ships for relief valves, I had to get things from the shore parts places. Not only did I have to go get the parts, I had to locate them, write job orders for them, make sure that it was approved and then, I had to get it to the correct shop in a timely manner. One day, the ship was waiting for me to get back so we could get underway. That should give you an idea of how important this job was and how incredibly important it was that I did this job well.
I remember very specifically when I had stayed until long after everyone was already home, coming back from going to a different ship to get a relief valve, my Senior Chief said thank you and good job. I can't tell you how much that meant to me. It was the most rewarding compliment I had been paid in so long. And it was all I needed to hear to keep going for another year before I was paid another compliment. In the military, you are given an evaluation every year. This is where what I did would be noticed. I got the highest eval marks I had ever received as well as an EP (Early Promote). The system only goes to a 5.0. A 3.0 is average. It means you're doing your job well and that you're on your way to making rank. That year, I got a 4.56. I cannot tell you how excited I was. I was also ranked out of the E-5's in our department as number 5. Which means, out of all of the E-5's in our department, only 4 outdid me in job performance. There was over a 50 of us, so being 5th was a great thing for me. I couldn't have been more proud. I knew I was valued and I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that I was important to the mission at hand. I was shit-hot!! It was a great feeling to feel like I mattered to the place I worked. I was on my way to making rank even faster when I made a stupid call, because at 25 you're still making stupid calls, and it all went away.
Devastation is what I felt. Heartbroken at what I had lost, in fact, it hurt so much, that for the first 4 years, YEARS, afterwards, I couldn't talk about it without breaking down and sobbing. It was the worst blow of my professional career that I had ever had. The first two jobs I had after that, I didn't feel like I mattered at all to anyone where I worked. I was as dispensable as anyone could be. The next job, when we had moved to Louisiana, after I had small fry, I wouldn't go so far as to say that I did made a difference, but, to the ones that I worked with, I felt a connection to them. In fact, when faced with even more adversity than I had ever expected, I was able to rely on them more than I thought I would need them, and now, 7 years after I left Sulphur, I still love them and I know that they had made a huge impact on my life.
When I got home, I took a job at Lowe's. It was still being built, and we worked long hard hours everyday getting that store ready. It was so much fun. At first, I was just a cashier. Within a month I was working in the Admin office. This is where we would prepare the deposit for the store, balance the store, and prepare the money for the next day. I loved what I did. Not only did I love what I was doing, but, I know that what I did made a difference. It was a great job! My supervisors were so easy for me to get along with (except the store manager who hated that he told me to get rid of my music and I didn't, because I was not going to spend all day in that room with nothing to listen to. Not even the buzz or hum of the computer) and I couldn't have asked for a better group of people to be around. I loved it so much. I feel like I grew up while I was there too. I was going through a divorce at the time, and I spent a lot of time crying in my office alone. I started dating a guy I worked with and when that didn't work out either, I was once again, left crying in my office a lot. I was there two and half years before I decided to go back to school.
Once in school, I knew I didn't want to be at work anymore. I loved all that I was learning and loved that what I was learning, was changing my whole life for the better. It was that life changing event that makes your eyes open and you feel like you know what's going on for the first time in your life. It was amazing. I started to hate being at work, not because I didn't like working, but, because I wanted to learn more. When I decided to quit and do a work study program, all of my work colleagues were surprised as well as shocked. I mean, who leaves the perfect job to go to school for less money and less hours?!
Miss Charlotte was the most awesome lady I have ever worked for and I am so glad that I got to know her. In life you don't get to choose who your family is, but, I will forever consider her to be my family, that's how much she made me feel like I was worth it. I wouldn't be where I am without her, that's for sure. On my last day, Miss Charlotte brought my a beautiful arrangement of fall flowers and made me feel like I was really going to be missed. I couldn't have asked for a better send off. It was amazing and I cried knowing that I was leaving someone that I loved.
Well, the work study program didn't work quite as well as I had hoped for. It did allow me to learn so much and my teacher was always saying thank you for your work and I loved it. It was well worth the time that I spend there. But, when it came down to it, I needed to get paid and it wasn't happening like I had needed it to. So, I went back to Lowe's. I was to work up front at the Customer Service Desk and I did like that... I'm not going to lie, it was fun. I worked part time, took shifts when I could, got to work almost as much as I did when I was full time. Just had to do it on the weekends now too. I know that the people that I worked for liked having me there, I was a good part of the team, and I enjoyed it. Up to a point that is.
Once out of school, I took a Head Cashier position, and then, the position that I really wanted came up. It was for receiving clerk. I so wanted this job! But, I didn't get it. Instead I took a different position of LTL Stocker. This was, by far, the most thankless, hardest, physically demanding job I had had since being on the Kennedy. I worked so hard at it! I was there doing that for just about exactly a year. And within that year, I had worked so hard in a position that was so unappreciated and made to feel like I was so worthless that when the opportunity came up to work full time as a Massage Therapist, I took it. Instantly, I took it. I was heartbroken when I left. My boss didn't speak to me from the time I turned in my notice until after I left. No one said a word to me when I left that last day, and I cried a lot over this. It was heartbreaking not only because I felt like a piece of shit most days after leaving work, but, because I was leaving, my family that I had been with from a very hard time in my life to that time (I had my family that I lived with, but these people had seem me at my worst and my best and they were, in essence, my family).
There have been good days and bad days working as an LMT. I know what I do makes a difference, yet, hearing it more than once a year is really nice. I love love love my clients. They are the reason that I keep coming to work. I feel like I do something to help others and that makes my life so much more fulfilling. I don't always agree with everyone here, but, I know that my clients depend on me, and I don't want to let them down. They are, after all, the reason I have a job. I am so grateful for the people that I have met and the lives that I feel apart of now. My clients value me... that's a fantastic feeling. However, and I say this with as much kindness as I can, I am not paid what I am worth, by a long shot. In the last few weeks, we have been undergoing a lot of changes in our office, and in the long run, it's going to make this place even better, but, with changes comes a lot of stress. I can say that we are all under a great deal of stress and I have no clue when it's going to even out. I am hoping within another month or so. And at that time, I suspect that my boss and I will talk about a lot of things.
After all of my experience with working and life, it seems strange that so many fail to see that a simple thank you for your hard work will take them so far. It's the one thing that makes you feel like you have value and are appreciated. So, for all of you who have employees, kids, friends, make sure you tell them that what they do is important and that you value the work that they put in. Do it often, you will be surprised that amount of respect they give when you show them a little appreciation and kindness. Words are like gunshots. Once they are out, there is no taking it back. Wounds heal after time, but that scar will remain. Take care of the people who work for you, and they will take care of you. Show them you care, pay them well for what they do. And most importantly, realize that how you treat others is a direct reflection of how you treat yourself. By not valuing the people you're around everyday, they will leave and yes, you will have to find someone else to work, but, they are people too, and they have feelings. And they hurt just as much as you do when someone steps all over your feelings. As an adult, I try to not let it show, but, the heart is mysterious thing, and you would be surprised by the scars that it can carry. Take care of others, they are trying to make it in life, just like you.
Monday, April 20, 2015
What do you deserve?
Deserve. That's a fun word isn't it. Lends the feeling of entitlement. Like, because I was born, I should have what ever it is that I am wanting. Or when told you don't deserve something. Well, who decides what I deserve or don't deserve. I think I deserve a 1969 black Camaro SS with racing stripes because I would look so awesome in it. And I love it. And I want it. But, do I deserve it?
Yesterday, I read an article on raising the minimum wage to $15.00 an hour. The person who wrote it said that flipping burgers and working in the fast food industry as a cashier, does not make you deserving to make that much money. I have a problem with this. But, let me continue with what he said. The article went on to say that for many teens, this is their first job and they don't deserve to make that much money in a year. And how many professionals with jobs that required training and schooling are able to make that much, and after how many years? A job that is in the fast food business shouldn't be a life time job and you don't deserve to make that much. Ever. Assuming you work 40 hours a week, of course. A job in the fast food industry should only be for a short time, therefore it's a stepping stone and shouldn't be used to be forever. So, if it's only a stepping stone, one shouldn't be allowed to make that much money.
Now, first of all, I have a huge problem with anyone telling me that I don't deserve something. It leads me to think that I'm not good enough to be able to have what ever it is. I did some research on the national minimum wage. Did you know that if we had a wage that kept with the inflation of the dollar as well as the increase of cost of living, the national minimum wage would be just over $21.00 an hour. Wow, that's a lot! It also made me wonder, why is it, companies are so unwilling to give their employees the salary that they deserve? I mean, not everyone who works flipping burgers works 40 hours a week. And just to be sure that you understand this, in the state of Arizona, even if you worked 40 hours a week, for the minimum wage, for all four quarters of the year, if you were fired, you wouldn't be able to collect unemployment because you haven't contributed enough to it. Wow, working full time, for less than eight dollars an hour and you still don't make enough. Now, let's say that for sake of argument, you made a salary of $10.00 an hour. And the company you work for only works you for 30 hours a week. Well, that amounts to $300 a week, before taxes. So for two weeks of work, you end up taking home just over $400. In an average sized two bedroom apartment that's in a nice part of town with good schools, rent is on average, $650-$850 a month. And let's face it, if you're working, you earn too much money to be eligible for welfare, so you are making about $800 or so a month. And barely able to make ends meet. Of course you could get another job that will work you another 30 or so hours a week at the same rate of pay and then, sure you would be making more than enough to support yourself. But, what time do you have to spend with the people you're trying to support? What about helping your kids with their homework, is there time for that? Or are you paying a babysitter to watch your kids so you can pay to live.
This example is all to familiar for me. I live in a small town where there are a lot of families struggling to make it. They work two jobs, they are doing everything they can, and yet, there isn't enough to pay for the food they eat. There are a lot of places that pay only minimum wage, and to say that flipping burgers is the only job that pays the minimum wage, is just plain silly. There are plenty of places that pay that, because that is what they can afford. And I see that there are a lot of mom and pop places that can't pay $15.00 and hour. But, on the other side of it, there are plenty of places that can afford to, and choose to pay them only a minimum to make a bigger profit. This is something that is outrageous to me. I am a small business owner, and I bust my ass on a daily basis, as a licensed, trained, must maintain my insurance and license to keep working and make a small salary.
So, I ask you, when you tell someone who is a teenager in their first job that they don't deserve to make that much money, what are basing your opinion on? Do you deserve to make more than that because you put in time and energy to a different job? Who is to say what someone deserves? I deserve to not have to ask the government for help to put food on our table. I deserve to be able to afford affordable healthcare. I deserve to be paid well for the service I provide. If you're not working, you're not helping, but if you are working, what do you deserve? Do you think that you deserve to put food on the table and be able to afford a place to live with electricity? Do you deserve to have a vehicle that runs and has fuel in it to get you to your job? Or do you deserve a bike because you only flip burgers or are a cashier somewhere? Points to ponder for the morning...
I think that those who make $15.00 an hour are doing well for now. But, they had to work to get there, and yes, things take time. But, to pay your people a decent wage, to be able to afford to live in their community, perhaps we shouldn't be saying that fast food workers don't deserve to make that much. Perhaps we should be saying that everyone deserves to be able to put food on their tables. We live in one of the richest countries in the world, and yet, there are more houses for sale then there are homeless people. There are more homeless vets then there ever should be. We as a country should stop saying that someone doesn't deserve something and we need to look at the way we as a nation treat these people who are trying to get out of poverty. It's not easy living so far below the poverty line that you go without. And really, it shouldn't happen. But, it does and it will continue to happen because we live in a world of greed. I am greedy, you're greedy, we all have some kind of greed going on with us. We are entitled to so many things.. or so we think. I can't change others opinions of things, and that's ok, I'm not trying to get you to always change your mind, I just want you to be open to the possibility that maybe we are looking at this in the wrong way. Maybe we should try stepping back and seeing the bigger picture. Not everyone who is asking for a raise works in fast food, and not everyone gets to work full time. How much time should I have to put in to any job to be able to afford a place to live, food to eat, power in the house, a mode of transportation, and affordable healthcare? How much time do I have give up with the ones that I am trying to support to be able to give them the basic necessities of life? How can I give them the most important ones when I am constantly working to provide food? I don't deserve to have to give up all of one, to be able to give them the other.
But, that's just my opinion on it...
Post Script: Afternoon, 4/20/15: As a point of reference on this topic, this morning, after publishing this thought, I was told that I don't deserve to be paid fairly for the job I do because of what might happen 4 months for now, so why change it? Seems like everyone is a bit skwed on this topic. What do you deserve? I know that I deserve a lot, and I deserve a lot more, but, I have also worked my ass off for it! And now, I am going to be grateful for a job that I have, clients that I love and friends who are amazing... I am grateful for those things.. That's for sure.
Yesterday, I read an article on raising the minimum wage to $15.00 an hour. The person who wrote it said that flipping burgers and working in the fast food industry as a cashier, does not make you deserving to make that much money. I have a problem with this. But, let me continue with what he said. The article went on to say that for many teens, this is their first job and they don't deserve to make that much money in a year. And how many professionals with jobs that required training and schooling are able to make that much, and after how many years? A job that is in the fast food business shouldn't be a life time job and you don't deserve to make that much. Ever. Assuming you work 40 hours a week, of course. A job in the fast food industry should only be for a short time, therefore it's a stepping stone and shouldn't be used to be forever. So, if it's only a stepping stone, one shouldn't be allowed to make that much money.
Now, first of all, I have a huge problem with anyone telling me that I don't deserve something. It leads me to think that I'm not good enough to be able to have what ever it is. I did some research on the national minimum wage. Did you know that if we had a wage that kept with the inflation of the dollar as well as the increase of cost of living, the national minimum wage would be just over $21.00 an hour. Wow, that's a lot! It also made me wonder, why is it, companies are so unwilling to give their employees the salary that they deserve? I mean, not everyone who works flipping burgers works 40 hours a week. And just to be sure that you understand this, in the state of Arizona, even if you worked 40 hours a week, for the minimum wage, for all four quarters of the year, if you were fired, you wouldn't be able to collect unemployment because you haven't contributed enough to it. Wow, working full time, for less than eight dollars an hour and you still don't make enough. Now, let's say that for sake of argument, you made a salary of $10.00 an hour. And the company you work for only works you for 30 hours a week. Well, that amounts to $300 a week, before taxes. So for two weeks of work, you end up taking home just over $400. In an average sized two bedroom apartment that's in a nice part of town with good schools, rent is on average, $650-$850 a month. And let's face it, if you're working, you earn too much money to be eligible for welfare, so you are making about $800 or so a month. And barely able to make ends meet. Of course you could get another job that will work you another 30 or so hours a week at the same rate of pay and then, sure you would be making more than enough to support yourself. But, what time do you have to spend with the people you're trying to support? What about helping your kids with their homework, is there time for that? Or are you paying a babysitter to watch your kids so you can pay to live.
This example is all to familiar for me. I live in a small town where there are a lot of families struggling to make it. They work two jobs, they are doing everything they can, and yet, there isn't enough to pay for the food they eat. There are a lot of places that pay only minimum wage, and to say that flipping burgers is the only job that pays the minimum wage, is just plain silly. There are plenty of places that pay that, because that is what they can afford. And I see that there are a lot of mom and pop places that can't pay $15.00 and hour. But, on the other side of it, there are plenty of places that can afford to, and choose to pay them only a minimum to make a bigger profit. This is something that is outrageous to me. I am a small business owner, and I bust my ass on a daily basis, as a licensed, trained, must maintain my insurance and license to keep working and make a small salary.
So, I ask you, when you tell someone who is a teenager in their first job that they don't deserve to make that much money, what are basing your opinion on? Do you deserve to make more than that because you put in time and energy to a different job? Who is to say what someone deserves? I deserve to not have to ask the government for help to put food on our table. I deserve to be able to afford affordable healthcare. I deserve to be paid well for the service I provide. If you're not working, you're not helping, but if you are working, what do you deserve? Do you think that you deserve to put food on the table and be able to afford a place to live with electricity? Do you deserve to have a vehicle that runs and has fuel in it to get you to your job? Or do you deserve a bike because you only flip burgers or are a cashier somewhere? Points to ponder for the morning...
I think that those who make $15.00 an hour are doing well for now. But, they had to work to get there, and yes, things take time. But, to pay your people a decent wage, to be able to afford to live in their community, perhaps we shouldn't be saying that fast food workers don't deserve to make that much. Perhaps we should be saying that everyone deserves to be able to put food on their tables. We live in one of the richest countries in the world, and yet, there are more houses for sale then there are homeless people. There are more homeless vets then there ever should be. We as a country should stop saying that someone doesn't deserve something and we need to look at the way we as a nation treat these people who are trying to get out of poverty. It's not easy living so far below the poverty line that you go without. And really, it shouldn't happen. But, it does and it will continue to happen because we live in a world of greed. I am greedy, you're greedy, we all have some kind of greed going on with us. We are entitled to so many things.. or so we think. I can't change others opinions of things, and that's ok, I'm not trying to get you to always change your mind, I just want you to be open to the possibility that maybe we are looking at this in the wrong way. Maybe we should try stepping back and seeing the bigger picture. Not everyone who is asking for a raise works in fast food, and not everyone gets to work full time. How much time should I have to put in to any job to be able to afford a place to live, food to eat, power in the house, a mode of transportation, and affordable healthcare? How much time do I have give up with the ones that I am trying to support to be able to give them the basic necessities of life? How can I give them the most important ones when I am constantly working to provide food? I don't deserve to have to give up all of one, to be able to give them the other.
But, that's just my opinion on it...
Post Script: Afternoon, 4/20/15: As a point of reference on this topic, this morning, after publishing this thought, I was told that I don't deserve to be paid fairly for the job I do because of what might happen 4 months for now, so why change it? Seems like everyone is a bit skwed on this topic. What do you deserve? I know that I deserve a lot, and I deserve a lot more, but, I have also worked my ass off for it! And now, I am going to be grateful for a job that I have, clients that I love and friends who are amazing... I am grateful for those things.. That's for sure.
Thursday, April 16, 2015
Petition
In our country, we have the great belief that if enough people pull together, we can change things. I tend to believe that it's true. We can do great things if we unify and see the outcome for all, instead of thinking only of ourselves.
I have been able to serve in our military, the Navy specifically. I have seen the world three times over (it's covered in water) and I love the fact that so many people love our country. And it's strange to me that so many of the people who are in charge of our country, our elected officials and appointed officials have a vested interest in another country.
You see, these people are dual citizens. They can go to their other home country and vote in elections and raise a family there if they chose. But, they are here, in the United States, making decisions for the people of our country. Hmmmmm....
Now, I have no problems with those who are dual citizens. I have a close friend who has dual citizenship. However, she is not in a public office that requires an election nor has she been appointed to an office. This is something near and dear to me. I feel that we the people should stand up for this. There is no reason to ever have an elected official who has dual citizenship. Their loyalty would come into question on foreign policies in every single situation. I think it's important that we stand together and say no more to this.
Help me out... Sign this for me, tell the White House that our government needs to only be loyal to one country. Our country, the United States is the one country they should be loyal to. To sign the petition already in progress, click here.
With the world as it is right now, I have a hard time with current events. They leave me feeling like I want to vomit most of the time. There are so many horrible things going on every day in so many different countries, that, it boggles the mind. For now though, we should really stop and take a good look at ourselves and see what kind of changes can we make in our own homes, our towns, our states and specifically, our governments, state and federal. I am not saying that you should not be able to hold an office if you have been a Naturalized citizen, or if you are seeking citizenship. What I would love to see is that for our government, we shouldn't have dual citizens. Too many lives at stake when those in charge are trying to make deals with other countries and they are trying to do what's best for both countries, instead of saying, what is best for the American people. Sign this... It's a good thing. Let's stand together on this one. Click Here for the information and site.
I have been able to serve in our military, the Navy specifically. I have seen the world three times over (it's covered in water) and I love the fact that so many people love our country. And it's strange to me that so many of the people who are in charge of our country, our elected officials and appointed officials have a vested interest in another country.
You see, these people are dual citizens. They can go to their other home country and vote in elections and raise a family there if they chose. But, they are here, in the United States, making decisions for the people of our country. Hmmmmm....
Now, I have no problems with those who are dual citizens. I have a close friend who has dual citizenship. However, she is not in a public office that requires an election nor has she been appointed to an office. This is something near and dear to me. I feel that we the people should stand up for this. There is no reason to ever have an elected official who has dual citizenship. Their loyalty would come into question on foreign policies in every single situation. I think it's important that we stand together and say no more to this.
Help me out... Sign this for me, tell the White House that our government needs to only be loyal to one country. Our country, the United States is the one country they should be loyal to. To sign the petition already in progress, click here.
With the world as it is right now, I have a hard time with current events. They leave me feeling like I want to vomit most of the time. There are so many horrible things going on every day in so many different countries, that, it boggles the mind. For now though, we should really stop and take a good look at ourselves and see what kind of changes can we make in our own homes, our towns, our states and specifically, our governments, state and federal. I am not saying that you should not be able to hold an office if you have been a Naturalized citizen, or if you are seeking citizenship. What I would love to see is that for our government, we shouldn't have dual citizens. Too many lives at stake when those in charge are trying to make deals with other countries and they are trying to do what's best for both countries, instead of saying, what is best for the American people. Sign this... It's a good thing. Let's stand together on this one. Click Here for the information and site.
Tuesday, April 14, 2015
Behold the power of positvie thinking
For the last month or two, I have been making a video series on Becoming a Better You... I loved this title because who couldn't use some improvement really. I just wanted to share the latest in the series, which is part 6, talking about the power of what positive thinking can do and why it's important to downsize the amount of negative energy that you are exposed to. Here is the link... hope you all get to see and subscribe to it, and really, tell me what you think... Have a super day all...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zP9qbTkUWOc
Happy viewing kids :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zP9qbTkUWOc
Happy viewing kids :)
Monday, April 6, 2015
The state of Indiana
Already, I have been talking about what's going on with this state for the whole of the week. It's only Wednesday and yet, this has been the topic of conversation for a while now. I know that I was horrified to hear that this law was signed. I was tempted to talk to my sister about it this weekend while visiting, but, decided against it for various reasons.
Here is what I think of this. Wow! Such anger and such deliberate intolerance of others makes for a whole lot of angry people. I hate to say this, but, in a way, I was glad he was arrogant enough to do it. I think it's the only way that it's been able to show that we are a country will NOT stand for such actions. I am so glad that so many companies have pulled out of that state and that people are boycotting Indiana indefinably. What makes me sad is seeing that they may amend the law because they are losing business left and right and without that economy, it's going to kill the state. Now, it's all about how do we get back the money that we are losing instead of seeing it for what it really is. Legal discrimination and bigotry. What a horrible stain of their faces.
Words cannot express the amount of outrage that I feel about what is going on. Now in the news, I am seeing a pizza place that has said they will refuse catering services to any LGBT weddings but they won't have a problem with them coming in for a slice or two. Not only that, what really made me more angry than anything was this company started a gofundme account and over the course of a week, ONE WEEK, have raised almost a million dollars from supporters... ARE YOU KIDDING ME? How incredibly ass backwards are we now?
There was one bit of writing that I found somewhat comforting. A man, a Christian, a pastor, had written something that made total sense. He said that serving people at your place of business does NOT impinge upon your religious freedoms. It's a matter of being an American and being a good person. Now one can reserve the right to refuse service for various reasons. Mine are if your drunk or sick. That's the only time I cannot work on you. But to say that making a cake for someone is hurting your religious freedoms is about as bad as and horrific as saying black people carry different diseases. I am so tired of hearing how ones choices are hurting your freedoms.
In our country, we have so much freedom. We can choose any religion to practice at any time, and if we change our minds, there are no penalties for it. We can go to college and choose any job that we want to. We can move to any state for any reason what so ever. We have no fears about worshiping in any manner, and yet, to say that Christians are being persecuted because they don't think they should have to serve LGBT people is the most insulting thing we can possibly say. You're not being persecuted in any way. You are being told to make that cake, or arrange flowers for people.
Now, I have traveled all around the world, three times in fact, and I have found that while we may look different than each other, and we have different languages, but we are all people. We are all here together, trying to make it in this lifetime. We all want the same thing. We want to love and feel love in return, we want to be secure in our lives and jobs, we want to give our kids more than what we had, and we want to be happy. This goes across all kinds of people, everyone single living human soul on this planet. Sure you may not want to have that kind of lifestyle but, you don't have to. That's the beauty of our world... It's full of choices. No one is asking you to do anything that would take away your choice of your lifestyle. And making cakes and arranging flowers for two people who are in love is not taking away anything from you. In fact, I would think that the more business that people got the better.
I am shocked and appalled that anyone would support hate and spread anger throughout the land, making anyone's life harder than it should ever have to be. Life is hard as it is. Finding someone who shares your beliefs and looks into your eyes and sees you, the real you, is not an easy thing. It takes most years of trial and error to find someone whom they feel safe with and loved. It's a beautiful thing and love in all forms should be praised, not torn down by ignorant cruel people who preach from a book that they pick and choose which things they spew. What about love? Now, I have not been a practicing Christian for some years now, in fact, I have found for myself that it's not what I choose to go with. However, after being raised in a church setting for the first 18 years of my life, I do recall a lot about that book. My favorite was always the part about love. Love knows no bounds, and something that I try to teach Piper is that love is the most powerful force on earth. Love doesn't know what colour your skin is, or what gender you were born as. Love is not jealous, or boastful, or mean and cruel. Love is beautiful and wonderful and is right for everyone. Love isn't rude or angry, it's kind and to feel it, to really feel love, is like being wrapped up in a warm blanket on a cold day. It fills your soul and makes you know that anything is possible. Love never ends. Why does our compassion end when dealing with people who are different than we are?
I will continue to fight for my friends who deserve to be treated fairly and enjoy everything in our country that any straight person gets to enjoy. I will do anything I can to help, because that's just the way that I am. It's not right to hurt because you're ignorant, it's just a black on your soul and I hope that someday, if you fall into the category of persons who think that this kind of discrimination is ok, that one day, you will see that, that kind of thinking only hurts people. Gay marriage is not gay marriage, it's just marriage. It's just two people who love each other and want to spend their live together. Please understand, they are not negating your marriage in any way. It doesn't lessen your commitment any by allowing them to have the same rights you have....
~End rant~ For now...
Here is what I think of this. Wow! Such anger and such deliberate intolerance of others makes for a whole lot of angry people. I hate to say this, but, in a way, I was glad he was arrogant enough to do it. I think it's the only way that it's been able to show that we are a country will NOT stand for such actions. I am so glad that so many companies have pulled out of that state and that people are boycotting Indiana indefinably. What makes me sad is seeing that they may amend the law because they are losing business left and right and without that economy, it's going to kill the state. Now, it's all about how do we get back the money that we are losing instead of seeing it for what it really is. Legal discrimination and bigotry. What a horrible stain of their faces.
Words cannot express the amount of outrage that I feel about what is going on. Now in the news, I am seeing a pizza place that has said they will refuse catering services to any LGBT weddings but they won't have a problem with them coming in for a slice or two. Not only that, what really made me more angry than anything was this company started a gofundme account and over the course of a week, ONE WEEK, have raised almost a million dollars from supporters... ARE YOU KIDDING ME? How incredibly ass backwards are we now?
There was one bit of writing that I found somewhat comforting. A man, a Christian, a pastor, had written something that made total sense. He said that serving people at your place of business does NOT impinge upon your religious freedoms. It's a matter of being an American and being a good person. Now one can reserve the right to refuse service for various reasons. Mine are if your drunk or sick. That's the only time I cannot work on you. But to say that making a cake for someone is hurting your religious freedoms is about as bad as and horrific as saying black people carry different diseases. I am so tired of hearing how ones choices are hurting your freedoms.
In our country, we have so much freedom. We can choose any religion to practice at any time, and if we change our minds, there are no penalties for it. We can go to college and choose any job that we want to. We can move to any state for any reason what so ever. We have no fears about worshiping in any manner, and yet, to say that Christians are being persecuted because they don't think they should have to serve LGBT people is the most insulting thing we can possibly say. You're not being persecuted in any way. You are being told to make that cake, or arrange flowers for people.
Now, I have traveled all around the world, three times in fact, and I have found that while we may look different than each other, and we have different languages, but we are all people. We are all here together, trying to make it in this lifetime. We all want the same thing. We want to love and feel love in return, we want to be secure in our lives and jobs, we want to give our kids more than what we had, and we want to be happy. This goes across all kinds of people, everyone single living human soul on this planet. Sure you may not want to have that kind of lifestyle but, you don't have to. That's the beauty of our world... It's full of choices. No one is asking you to do anything that would take away your choice of your lifestyle. And making cakes and arranging flowers for two people who are in love is not taking away anything from you. In fact, I would think that the more business that people got the better.
I am shocked and appalled that anyone would support hate and spread anger throughout the land, making anyone's life harder than it should ever have to be. Life is hard as it is. Finding someone who shares your beliefs and looks into your eyes and sees you, the real you, is not an easy thing. It takes most years of trial and error to find someone whom they feel safe with and loved. It's a beautiful thing and love in all forms should be praised, not torn down by ignorant cruel people who preach from a book that they pick and choose which things they spew. What about love? Now, I have not been a practicing Christian for some years now, in fact, I have found for myself that it's not what I choose to go with. However, after being raised in a church setting for the first 18 years of my life, I do recall a lot about that book. My favorite was always the part about love. Love knows no bounds, and something that I try to teach Piper is that love is the most powerful force on earth. Love doesn't know what colour your skin is, or what gender you were born as. Love is not jealous, or boastful, or mean and cruel. Love is beautiful and wonderful and is right for everyone. Love isn't rude or angry, it's kind and to feel it, to really feel love, is like being wrapped up in a warm blanket on a cold day. It fills your soul and makes you know that anything is possible. Love never ends. Why does our compassion end when dealing with people who are different than we are?
I will continue to fight for my friends who deserve to be treated fairly and enjoy everything in our country that any straight person gets to enjoy. I will do anything I can to help, because that's just the way that I am. It's not right to hurt because you're ignorant, it's just a black on your soul and I hope that someday, if you fall into the category of persons who think that this kind of discrimination is ok, that one day, you will see that, that kind of thinking only hurts people. Gay marriage is not gay marriage, it's just marriage. It's just two people who love each other and want to spend their live together. Please understand, they are not negating your marriage in any way. It doesn't lessen your commitment any by allowing them to have the same rights you have....
~End rant~ For now...
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