formulated to prevent bacterial growth

Wtf?

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]

OMG! FOMO...Really?

This morning as I was browsing through my reading list I came across FOMO and Social Media on caterina.net.  FOMO refers to what she calls Fear of Missing Out.  It is an interesting take on the anxiety that we have all felt that we are missing out on something that everyone else is doing but you - which can certainly be exacerbated by the 24/7 play by play of everyone's lives broadcasted on the Internet.

But the more I reflected on this for myself I began to wonder is this really a fear of missing out on something or is it a lack of a defined purpose.

What is it that makes us feel like we are missing out on something rather than excited that our friends are doing something fun?  Is it that we are lacking that sense on contentment that allows us to be happy for others positive experiences in life or is it really a fear of missing out on something that could be impactful to our lives?

leave me alone!

Every personality test I have ever taken puts me dead center on introvert versus extrovert. A few years ago I actually read up on what these tests mean and found that this indicates where you get your energy from. So equal parts of interaction and alone time is how I gather my energy. I have always enjoyed my time alone and the opportunity for reflection but it wasn't until learning this that I truly started to value my alone time. I began to protect that time and really take ownership of this as something I needed in my life....but never in regards to my professional life. I associated alone time with prayer, meditation, reflection and the like....all things that pertain to personal health not work.

Until this week.

I was reading the article The power of loney on Boston.com and realized I don't protect my alone time at work the way I do in my personal life.

Now as a manager of people and someone who thinks how I manage people is one of my most important responsibilities, this was a completely new perspective. I have always felt it is my job to be available for my staff in whatever they need...which I still believe...just not in every moment of the day.

Go on try it...close your office door and be alone for a little bit each day...it will rock your world!

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]

I ride north and west buses

For more than three years I have pretty much ridden the same bus to and from work. Occasionally I would ride a less frequent non express bus to a friends house or restaurant but for the most part always going south from where I live.

My new job now requires that I take one bus north and one bus west -- opposite of my routine.

Besides the direction you wouldn't think this makes much difference... me either! But as I stood on the opposite side of the street from the 'downtown' workforce this morning the differences were stark.

I was simultaneously jealous of their one bus commute and saddened by the uniformity of their environment. Not only the most obvious similarity of all being "of European heritage", but also life stage, socioeconomic status, fashion sense...."another brick in the wall" narrated the scene on my head.

I stepped on to my bus humming flyod and was more aware of my surroundings than previously. These buses are filled with kids going to school, airline employees headed to O'Hare, angry people, singers and the just plain crazy. I think I like these buses better.

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]

oh the possibilities of a new beginning

I love new journals. So much so that my book shelf is full of journals that have wildly creative and fabulous writing in them.... for the first 5 to 10 pages. That is about when another journal with crisp new blank pages catches my eye. So neat and and clean and full of possibilities. All I can think of all the amazingly life changing letters, prayers, poems and doodles u will fill the pages with.

There is so much I want to do...so many journals I want to fill with my musings and so many ways we can impact those in need. Which is so exciting...and so overwhelming. I don't want to diminish my passion for new ideas and possibilities but I don't want to be so enthusiastic about the possibilities that I become stifled by all the missed opportunities.

How do we nurture this passion and big ideas AND continue to feel the pride of the smaller short term achievements?

I have no idea but I am pretty darn proud of the fact that I was able to articulate this struggle....now maybe I can figure out what to do about it.

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]

never let words get in the way of pictures

I love road trips.  They provide so much time for reflection and rocking out to good music.  This year when I drove to Virignia from Chicago I connected my iPhone to the rearview mirror of the rental car so i could easily use the GPS system... i quickly realized that this was a perfect location to photograph my trip!  Needless to say i took some 300 pictures ... below is one of my favorite and very relevant to the topic....big blue sky and a road that is endless :)  country roads, take me home, to a place i belong!





coming out....

I have not been overt about my faith on this blog as I wasn't sure if this was going to be a "professional" blog or personal ranting and ravings - and did not wish to offend anybody.  But today I have decided that if I am going to be talking about my lifetime value there is no way I can leave out my faith - it is the sole defining characteristic of who I am and my value - whether professional or not. 

Today marks the first day of my new job.  I have struggled with the transition almost as much as I am excited about it.  I am going back to school and this position will be an amazing fit for me to pursue an interest that I have always had but never acted on.  I will be studying Workplace Theology (specifically getting a Master of Arts in Religion, Workplace Theology and Ethics) at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary while raising money through direct response for the Salvation Army Metropolitan Division in Chicago as my day job.

Moving from a national organization to a regional program has its benefits and its ego challenges :)  But God has very clearly used the last two weeks to encourage my decision to change my career and with it my life.  He has used people I have meet in professional settings to encourage the decisions I have made to put my faith first.... that's right people I have meet outside of church! He has proven to me that the integration of work and personal life is a great thing and he will be there to encourage me even when smooshing those two together isn't easy... and down right scary.

So here goes... my name is Suzanne Joiner and I am a Christian.  I <3 Jesus and I <3 direct marketing.. .now you know and knowing is half the battle...