Happy Summer?

Ever since Monday, I’ve been feeling especially happy and carefree. A little weird for me, since I haven’t been like this in so long. I had to ask the question ‘why’, really.. why am I so content and how did I get here?

At first I thought it was because I wasn’t crazy stressful all the time anymore. I was finally able to take a deep breath and enjoy the moment, like the feeling you get when you finish your very last final – big sigh of relief…. before knocking out for 10 hours straight.

But it was a little different.

Work has been really good for the past 2 days! Not only have I been productive, I feel like there are small progresses in the “relationship building” department as well. Is seeing progress what’s making me happy?

Anyway, after work, I’ve been busy “organizing my life“, but also had some time to help people move, grab dinner, and meet up with people. Am I happy simply because I’m finally doing all the things that I want to do?

Then I remembered something P. Jong said once, “just because you’re happy doesn’t mean you are pleasing to God.” Ack, and I started to doubt my happiness. Am I happy or am I just happily being selfish?! Is there a difference?? Man, that line always reminds me to strive to not just be happy, but be pleasing to God.

Also, the temperature shot up from the breezy 60-70′s to high 80′s starting from Sunday. I love summer because of the sunshine. People really do need the sun to survive; not just for plants, we need the sun to shine on us too! Whoa, the image Teletubbies sun just popped into my head..creepy…

Perhaps it’s just a new season in my life, out of the Bitter Winter, out of the Rainy Spring, and into the bestest season of all – SUMMER. Thankful for being a summer baby, and excited for this new season. :D

Lessons From The Marketing Data Analyst

I was reading this article of New Job Proverbs and it dawned on me that I am not the only one having trouble adjusting to the working world.

Here are some things I have been learning this past year – still working on all of these. It’s still hard to believe I’ve already been working for more than a year! AH!

1. Be Humble and teachable. For some reason, many business students (me included) learned to “be confident” enough to BS through things. Whether this is taught subconsciously by the big shots we listen to or just a bad habit picked up in school, it’s not viable at work. Yes, be confident. Yes, be great at what you do, but admit that you do not know everything. I knew this, but I feel like I have spent this entire past year learning just how much I don’t know! Popped quite a few of my bubbles.

2. Attitude, Attitude, Attitude. I admit this is difficult if you don’t love your job or your coworkers. But really, nobody likes a complainer. It is interesting to note though, that most of the conversation in the office starts with a complaint/problem. Maybe problems are the easiest thing for people to connect with/bond over, but it is contagious like a bad virus! Those who remain content are much more pleasant to be around. Dare to be different and be the sunshine in a gloomy place? Reminds me of that Salt & Light passage.. Matthew 5:13-16. Be that pleasant person that people want to work with! Smiling helps.

3. Life is not fair, work is not fair. Sometimes, you don’t get to lead the fun project. Sometimes, people don’t give you credit for your contribution. All your skipped lunches or late nights to meet a deadline are expected. However, if you fail to do your part in any way, it is a BIG DEAL. The world ends. Just kidding. But work reminds me of the behind-the-scene ministries at churches – technology, food, sermon editing, bulletin printing. When you do your job right, your hard work is probably taken for granted.  But when you make a mistake, that’s when everyone notices.

I guess it has been exposing whom I do things for, and sadly, most of the time it isn’t for God. I get so angry in these “but that’s so no fair!” moments. But you know, other times when my senior analyst covers my mistakes, it reminds me that we are a team. It also reminds me how powerful GRACE is. We could all use some more grace in our lives.

4. My job is not my life. Well, at first, I used this phrase so I’d feel better about my unsatisfying job situation. But now, I’m realizing it should probably be true all the time. My job should not define who I am. I need to have a life outside of my job – I need to continue to pursue my hobbies, try new adventures, have other relationships – aka, attend to my other callings.

Speaking of callings, I’m excited for this summer! I will be hardcore praying/researching about my next steps in life. Post-CFC, where will I go and what will I do? Only God knows, but I know I’m antsy.