Personal

Reading Deeper Into My Surroundings

Blink is going magnificently. I’m am definately obsessing with this book and obsessed with reading in general now. I actually went out and bought five books to read later on:

Blindness – Jose Saramago
The Culture of Fear – Barry Glassner
The Lexus and the Olive Tree – Thomas L. Friedman
Life of Pi – Yann Martel
The Tipping Point – Malcolm Gladwell

Each are either National Best Sellers or New York Times Best Sellers. Those were definately fair indicators of a quality book. Not only did I decide on these for now based on that determinate, but also from recommendations and the small synopsis each book offered. I was very drawn by the subject matter and association it had with life in general. My initial visit was to get a book called Sources of Power by Gary Keith, but they were sold out in all locations. So I figured I would order it from Amazon. Sources of Power was mentioned in Blink that was about decision making. That subject is what I believe to be very important and something I want to develop. I am definately learning and growing by just reading, but I think I will gain the most out of it just by practicing the messages and observations in my personal surroundings. There is definately a lot of insight gained and even more questions developing in my mind that will bring out a more for the lack of better words, mature thinking in my perspective and outlook.

Well aside from my spiritual and psychological journey with my literary works, I had an interesting interaction with a fellow co worker who I have great respect for. I say interaction because I don’t really see it as a discussion or talk when I just mostly listened and tried to gather information to analyze. It was directed toward what I believed to be something of great honor and recognition when really, to that person it was a poor misunderstanding. The reasons for this sources from the people that represent a group of “leaders” in the store who are there to help set examples and promote the culture that is our store and the service we offer. There has definately been a shift in the environment and group dynamic that has developed over the course of these past few months and indentifying the cause(s) is difficult to pin point. What I believe needs to be done is find out all the problems and discuss which of these are just symptoms and what exactly are real problems that these symptoms are a product of. Without respect for this group that was formed to inspire, then there will only be failure and a breakdown of the foundation that spurs growth and success – cooperation, teamwork, understanding, etc. People might think I am weird, but I have deep attachment with my work place, not because of what it is, by the institution and the ideals that it works towards. I think that no matter where I work, if the ideals align with my own, then I will feel the same way. Service and the experience of satisfaction or that good feeling where you actual smile from it is something I enjoying seeing. It’s an obvious statement, but none actually implemented. Anyways, straying away from the actual point, I am glad that I was able to hear this perspective. It definately altered my image of what I had boasted about, but not in a bad way. It is critical to understand and interpret multiple viewpoints to completely assess a situation. Without it, then there is no growth or cooperation. The sad thing is that I won’t be around as much as I would like to help follow up on the changes and progress needed to eliminate any problems. Whatever happens, I really hope that when I fully come back to work, I will want to stay there.