2 women-- one in about her mid-thirties, the other in her early-to-mid twenties-- and a guy, who I instantly recognized as an Aussie (2011 has been the year of meeting/observing/crushing on Aussies') entered the restaurant and took seats at the bar kitty-corner to me. The woman in her mid-thirties (who we'll call "Thirty" moving forward, for lack of creativity) immediately started talking about herself and her horrible predicament. Within 5 minutes I was able to gather that these three individuals: 1). Worked at an ad agency 2). Were not happy working at this ad agency (or, at least Thirty wasn't), and 3). Ungrateful ass holes. Do not take the last one with a grain of salt. My sandwich grew less and less appetizing as I listened to the embittered Thirty talk about how the Aussie always gets recognition and positive reinforcement on his work but she never does. She complained for a solid 10 minutes, sounding incredibly ungrateful, patronizing, and immature. I threw my credit card down on the counter in true Brooch bratty disapproval to pay and get up out of therrrr before I lost my temper.
As someone who (when I'm not brooching), works hard for a small company, wearing many hats and never complaining about the load I take on (at least to those I work with), it's incredibly irritating to hear people complain about their jobs, and in the company of people they work with (talk about unprofesh!). Espesh when it's related to not getting "pats on the back" for a job well done...HELLO, it's called your job! It's not a swim meet or Junior High softball game. Your "trophy/medal" is your paycheck. If you don't like your job or the paycheck, go work somewhere else. Or don't work at all. Opportunities and choices abound in the modern, techno-savvy world!
Work is not always fair, but it's not about fair. It's about the bigger picture-- making a company increasingly profitable. It might not make sense to us. We might feel taken for granted at times, but the only person keeping us in a situation we're unhappy with is ourselves. That said, the grass ain't always greener on the other side.
I don't have all the answers, but I do know that ungrateful people will be ungrateful regardless of what they do or how much or little they are acknowledged for what they do. Until they change their outlook, that is.
I try to see life as one big job-in-the making. Every part of it just as significant as any other. If we neglect one area, other areas will soon follow suit. It's like a great balancing act that takes constant work and attention. What life yields for you is 75% dependent on what you put into it and how you view it. Perception is so significant. You can't blame other people or circumstances. Plenty of people overcome adversities most of us couldn't even fathom to achieve greatness, and they do it, not by viewing themselves as a victim-- "me vs them/the world"-- but by accepting their circumstances and choosing to rise above them.
It's not always easy. We are all are susceptible to moments of self-pity, depression, anxiety, frustration, and we're all entitled. Sometimes life is really hard. But in spite of the bumps, we have to remind ourselves to express gratitude for the things we do have-- focusing on our blessings and strengths rather than shortcomings, or what others have that we don't. Besides the benefits to our health and mood, it just looks really pathetic to complain all the time. It turns people off real quick. It's amazing how connected gratitude and generosity are. The more gratitude we feel, the more willing and able we are to spread the wealth. On the flip side, when we harbor pity and self-doubt, it manifests itself as selfishness-- we are closed off to giving and receiving love and kindness. It becomes a self-fulfilling prophesy. And then there is gallantry, in the sense of courage and civility, which is an incredibly attractive quality that attracts positive people and positive things to us. I mean, it's not some secret or rocket science. It's just common sense. Positive attracts. Negative repels. 'Nuff said.
This week, I dedicate the Trilogy Brooch to the three beneficial traits mentioned: Gratitude, Generosity and Gallantry, represented by each pearl below. Pearls of wisdom-- is that taking it too far?
Ok, I'm done.
