Auld Lang Syne will rebound joyously (and drunkenly) as the bell tolls
twelve am New Years Day. Shall we take a look at 2014? Will we do so
with gratitude or regret? Or perhaps both?
While the dawning of 2015 is close at hand, I must say that I am inclined
to feel a bit of both but mostly I am grateful for the many blessings that
powers greater than I have bestowed upon me.
I am grateful for my daughters, the wonderful men in their lives and my two darling
grandsons who have given me such joy and abundance of love.
I do not have hoards of friends but have chosen a select few whom I consider family as
they are as supportive of me as I am of them.
I have not attained great worldly riches but I can say with confidence that I am rich beyond measure in family, friends, creative talent and a sense of self and self worth. I do not judge others as harshly as I did in my youth which enables me to see more easily the value in others.
I have learned many a life lesson and have been humbled by those who
have every right to complain about their circumstances but instead smile with genuine sincerity and have inspired me to be a far more compassionate and caring member of the human race.
I have grown tired of those who feel the need to degrade others in order
to feel uplifted, for in reality, they only further prove that negativity is
a form of insecurity as it's utmost. I will strive in the upcoming year to
be a positive example of living in light and grace.
I will not join the trend of government naysayer's who incessantly find
fault with every political leader and use religious beliefs as a weapon
in which to slay others with their intolerance. I believe that everyone
in this world has the right to live peacefully and be treated with the
dignity and respect that is what some of us call "humanity".
When you lift your glass upon the Eve of New Years, may you toast the
coming year with joy and great expectation as the only one who can
make the New Year a better one than last, is you.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Happy Heartfelt Holidays!
I have always believed in the magic of Christmas because my Mother always instilled the belief in Santa and all the wonderful creatures and delights that children dream of during the holiday season.
Where did the magic go? Today (a good 40 plus years later) I see busy holiday shoppers pushing and shoving for the latest trend in toys (for a limited time only!) and gifts for friends and family which will most likely be returned the day after Christmas, driving salespersons dealing with line after impatient line of returnees to drink themselves into an oblivious stupor later that night.
I have chosen to keep myself well within a reasonable budget as I have no desire to pay for this holiday well into the season of summer. If you can't afford it, don't buy it is my motto. Our now
extended family will enjoy a wonderful repast with delightful beverages as well as a festive board game marathon which will render my aging back and knees useless the next day due to the hours of sitting in one spot while working my brain into a competitive frenzy ( my daughters think me competitive...whatever) !
As I look upon my family and how we have mananged to pull together during what has been a very difficult and mind numbing year, frought with political unrest, worldwide episodes of violence and natural disasters as well as some personal ones, I realize that the spirit of Christmas lies within the love that we share and the support we provide to one another in all the important ways. Perhaps I have become more enlightened and appreciate the gift that can never be returned of which holds the highest value...the gift of love, of family and friends.
I wish everyone a safe and healthy holiday season and may you all learn to appreciate the value of life's simple pleasures. May you treasure all those whom you love most and take the time to let them know how much they mean to you as life can be fleeting and you cannot capture yesterday. May we all strive to be better, more kind and compassionate humans who treat each other, despite our differences, with dignity and respect. So to all of you I say: "Enjoy the blessings of the New Year and be a light to lead the way for all those whom you hold dear!"
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Go Forth and be Profitable(No matter who you step over to do so)
There will be those who may not appreciate my opinions but they are just that...MY opinions and bearing that in mind...
I am all for progress and free enterprise. I am a full fledged supporter of Enterpreneur's and Go Getters or those with a vision who make their dreams into reality. I admire the achievements of Bill Gates, Oprah Winfrey, Steve Hirsch and Warren Buffet to name a few. I admire their
hard work and self earned achievements and mostly, I respect their spirit of charitable giving. The afore-mentioned are positive examples of recognizing your accomplishments but realizing that it is not only honorable but necessary to contribute to those who also have dreams and visions and the contribution made by the "haves" greatly motivate the
"have nots" to also achieve and excel. It is also to be expected that those
who have been graced with assistance "pay it forward" and lend a helping hand to those who are in the same position as they were before their own success due, in part, to a kindly donation from a wealthy mentor.
Please do not mistake my remarks as saying anyone should get a "hand out" as without the hard work which follows a charitable grant, dreams
do not become reality. I also highly respect those who treat employees
with dignity and respect, recognizing that these people are part of the reason for their continuing success.
I do however, have a bit of animosity toward those in business who forget
those who help them along the way. Does any business owner with a hard working staff actually think they would achieve success without them?
If you have high standards and expectations (as you should) is it not only sensible that staff are paid accordingly? Our cost of living, taxes, etc keep soaring, yet our wages are dropping or at a stand-still and we are expected to keep on producing for our high earning employers/business owners and do so whole heartedly! There are many wonderful, fair and generous business owners but those who are down right selfish and self serving are a boil on the butt of reputable business!
If your business is prospering and you can afford a cost of living raise for
a loyal employee, please do so willingly and not begrudginly or not at all.
If you are taking multiple vacations a year, please allow your staff at least one.
If you have exceeded your profit margin, please remember to reward the staff that helped you earn it with a generous bonus or gift to show your appreciation for their contrbution to this achievement.
If you promise employees certain hours then make it a point to give them said hours unless there is a good reason for cutting them as many depend on these hours for their livlihood.
If you are doing well enough to afford it, provide insurance for your employees (I am not saying staff should not pay a reasonable monthly
rate for said insurance benefits)please do so.
Tired of staff turnover rate...give them a reason to stay.
So...for those of you who are fair to those who serve you well, you have my blessings.
To those of you who enjoy success but do not reward hardworking
employees when you have the resources to do so...
"May your suntan (on one of your many vacations while staff cannot
afford even one due to the pittance you pay them) turn orange."
"May your spoiled children live with you FOREVER!"
" May your Mother-In-Law move in until she moves in with Jesus!"
and last but not least..."May your staff all resign at the same time forcing
you to do all the work yourself or re-evaluate how important they are to YOUR success!"
I am all for progress and free enterprise. I am a full fledged supporter of Enterpreneur's and Go Getters or those with a vision who make their dreams into reality. I admire the achievements of Bill Gates, Oprah Winfrey, Steve Hirsch and Warren Buffet to name a few. I admire their
hard work and self earned achievements and mostly, I respect their spirit of charitable giving. The afore-mentioned are positive examples of recognizing your accomplishments but realizing that it is not only honorable but necessary to contribute to those who also have dreams and visions and the contribution made by the "haves" greatly motivate the
"have nots" to also achieve and excel. It is also to be expected that those
who have been graced with assistance "pay it forward" and lend a helping hand to those who are in the same position as they were before their own success due, in part, to a kindly donation from a wealthy mentor.
Please do not mistake my remarks as saying anyone should get a "hand out" as without the hard work which follows a charitable grant, dreams
do not become reality. I also highly respect those who treat employees
with dignity and respect, recognizing that these people are part of the reason for their continuing success.
I do however, have a bit of animosity toward those in business who forget
those who help them along the way. Does any business owner with a hard working staff actually think they would achieve success without them?
If you have high standards and expectations (as you should) is it not only sensible that staff are paid accordingly? Our cost of living, taxes, etc keep soaring, yet our wages are dropping or at a stand-still and we are expected to keep on producing for our high earning employers/business owners and do so whole heartedly! There are many wonderful, fair and generous business owners but those who are down right selfish and self serving are a boil on the butt of reputable business!
If your business is prospering and you can afford a cost of living raise for
a loyal employee, please do so willingly and not begrudginly or not at all.
If you are taking multiple vacations a year, please allow your staff at least one.
If you have exceeded your profit margin, please remember to reward the staff that helped you earn it with a generous bonus or gift to show your appreciation for their contrbution to this achievement.
If you promise employees certain hours then make it a point to give them said hours unless there is a good reason for cutting them as many depend on these hours for their livlihood.
If you are doing well enough to afford it, provide insurance for your employees (I am not saying staff should not pay a reasonable monthly
rate for said insurance benefits)please do so.
Tired of staff turnover rate...give them a reason to stay.
So...for those of you who are fair to those who serve you well, you have my blessings.
To those of you who enjoy success but do not reward hardworking
employees when you have the resources to do so...
"May your suntan (on one of your many vacations while staff cannot
afford even one due to the pittance you pay them) turn orange."
"May your spoiled children live with you FOREVER!"
" May your Mother-In-Law move in until she moves in with Jesus!"
and last but not least..."May your staff all resign at the same time forcing
you to do all the work yourself or re-evaluate how important they are to YOUR success!"
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