Kakahead

Well it’s that time of year again. “Benefits Enrollment,” they call it in corporate speak. Our annual benefits meeting informed us all that the pension plan is being phased out; and medical benefits will cost us more. We haven’t had a raise in 4 years and that probably won’t change. However, the Upper Crust seems to make sure their pockets are nicely lined with 6-figure bonuses. This is not unique to the company I work for, it’s become common all over the corporate world.

Small wonder there are world wide “Occupy” demonstrations!

Lots of folks are all buzzing about and grimacing from the changes. Nobody loves change, including me. However, I’m getting a little better at keeping the negative fire storms out of my head. Being annoyed is one thing; but my magnifying mind can, if let loose, really run with a grudge that ends up being harmful to me.

I’ve been thinking out loud to groups of friends about all this work stuff. They are very good at reminding me to stay grateful and just try to do the next right thing. Bless them… they’re probably getting a bit weary of my rants when I start spouting off about all the injustice at work and elsewhere. They’ve heard it before, and before that, and before that. Yet, they seem to love me anyway! Not sure how anyone else works it all out; but I need to vent to someone who understands when I’m hurting inside. The way it works for me is to vent until I get tired of hearing it myself. Fortunately, I’ve become aware that if I allow anger and resentment to fester in my heart, I’m basically working on poisoning myself. Being livid about things over which I have no control is about as effective as eating a poison pill and expecting someone else to die.

I do have choices here of course. I could quit my job. Boy would that show them or what?? Umm, no it wouldn’t. Nothing would change except my ability to pay bills and buy food. So what’s the alternative? Find another job! Well, hey, not much out there that pays very well. OK smartypants (I’m thinking out loud in writing here), now what do you do?

I’ll tell you what I’m gonna do!! I’m gonna continue to work at the job and try to be happy! So there!! I’m going to try to avoid dipping into the poison pot with my peers when they start sniping about corporate dysfunction. After all, the only thing I have any control over is how I react to all these “wonderful” things that are changing at my workplace.

When my serenity alarm goes off, I need to remind myself to run through my “gratitude list.” I am healthy and I have the love of a beautiful woman. She even let me marry her! We have cars that work, a nice home, plenty to eat. We have loving relationships with our offspring, relatives and friends. Life really is good at our house.

No poison for me thanks. I need to make gratitude my attitude. Sometimes it takes a bit of work to pull it off, but life is much more peaceful when I succeed.

Can you tell I’m practicing?

I can’t help but think of Louie Armstrong’s “Wonderful World” when I need an attitude adjustment. Here’s one of his recordings with a very nice photo collage someone put together for youtube.