For some reason, as human beings, we often seem to get the notion that we are entitled to things. Perhaps it is just part of the nature of being... human or other wise. We had a cat for several years who felt she was entitled to many things.... Her favorite spot on the bed, half your can of tuna, Megan's crochet slipper. Yes, she certainly believed that she had rights in our house! Dogs also tend to think they are entitled to things.... leftovers, anything in the trash can, shoes, bones and any toys you give them. Our dog even knows which toys are his, and which toys are the puppy's (my nephew), and the dog will not touch puppy's toys, but he also doesn't like one to mess with his toys.
Many if not all of us possess this sense of entitlement in at least one aspect of our lives. I, for example, have worked at Old Navy for two years, and am still making eight dollars an hour. I feel like after two years of putting up with all the nonsense that goes on there that I should be entitled to a nice fat raise! To me, this seems a fairly reasonable and realistic entitlement. Sometimes though, I feel like people take their sense of entitlement to an extreme, and this irritates me.
At work we have 15 fitting rooms. 13 of those are regular sized (still fairly large) fitting rooms. Two of those don't work, so in reality we have 11 regular fitting rooms, one larger room, and one handicapped room. Keep in mind that two or three people can pretty comfortably fit into one of our regular sized fitting rooms. Living in Happy Valley, we get a lot of moms that come shopping with their little kids. I have absolutely no problem saving the bigger room, and giving it mostly to moms with kids. That doesn't bother me at all, more people, more room... it is all reasonable. But what really bugs me, is when moms with kids and a cart full of stuff stick their nose up at my offer for the bigger room, and request the handicapped room. Here is why this bothers me. First, the bigger room is plenty big enough to fit just about any cart, stroller, or any other child-toting contraption around. Unless some mom comes in with quintuplets, the larger room is plenty big enough. Second, I am really curious to know... since when does having kids make you handicapped??? Last I checked having kids makes you a mother, not disabled. Yes, I understand, kids are a challenge, kids are hard, and sometimes they may make you feel like you are handicapped, but I assure you, it's not so!
Now, in all honestly, we don't get too many people in wheel chairs, or that need the handicapped room coming into our store, so sometimes I will put mothers with their carts and kids in the handicapped room because I'm feeling nice, BUT if someone has the nerve to ask for it just because they want the bigger space, I will usually say no. I do not believe that mothers are entitled to the handicapped dressing room, and people who do believe that really irk me. I believe that people who ARE handicapped are entitled to the handicapped room, and it should be free and available to them as often as possible. Maybe I'm just a softy for people in wheelchairs, but I know that my life would definitely be a lot harder without the use of my legs, and I would really appreciate anyone who tried to make it a little bit easier for me.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Monday, September 14, 2009
A Seemingly Small Realization
So last night I was getting ready for bed and I was thinking. All of a sudden something clicked in my head. It's probably something really simple that everyone else realized a long time ago, but for me last night it was profound. Correct me if I'm wrong about anything...
If "as man now is, God once was" Then God really does understand all about life and progressing, and the pains and frustrations of failure and the pressure to become perfect. Think about it. We always talk about how Christ knows exactly what we are going through because he suffered all of our pains. In some ways that is more comforting, but I think it also might be important to realize that God himself (and not just through Christ) probably has a pretty good idea of exactly what it's like to strive for perfection because He has done it. He is not just a mighty King who has no comprehension of the pains and frustrations of His people, but He knows! He knows what it's like to fail and to have to get up and try again over and over. He knows what it's like to feel like despite all your efforts you're getting no where. He's done it, and He gives us the challenge because He knows it's possible because He has done it. He has done what we are all striving to do. And He knows that if we really put our all into it, then we can do the same thing!
I don't know. I feel like that creates a greater bond or connection between God and man. It makes Him seem more reachable because He can relate so to speak. When you get so frustrated that you almost feel like there is no point in trying anymore... well just think... He probably felt that way at one point in time too. But He overcame it, and we can too.
Some people might feel like this humanizes God too much, that it is a desecration of His glory, perfection and almighty power, but I believe it merely a beautiful illustration of our potential for great glory after this life and a mighty source of strength as we struggle now to reach that potential! God lives, He loves us, He knows what we go through here, and most of all He knows that it's possible and that it's worth it. How else could He know this if He has not experienced both for Himself!
If "as man now is, God once was" Then God really does understand all about life and progressing, and the pains and frustrations of failure and the pressure to become perfect. Think about it. We always talk about how Christ knows exactly what we are going through because he suffered all of our pains. In some ways that is more comforting, but I think it also might be important to realize that God himself (and not just through Christ) probably has a pretty good idea of exactly what it's like to strive for perfection because He has done it. He is not just a mighty King who has no comprehension of the pains and frustrations of His people, but He knows! He knows what it's like to fail and to have to get up and try again over and over. He knows what it's like to feel like despite all your efforts you're getting no where. He's done it, and He gives us the challenge because He knows it's possible because He has done it. He has done what we are all striving to do. And He knows that if we really put our all into it, then we can do the same thing!
I don't know. I feel like that creates a greater bond or connection between God and man. It makes Him seem more reachable because He can relate so to speak. When you get so frustrated that you almost feel like there is no point in trying anymore... well just think... He probably felt that way at one point in time too. But He overcame it, and we can too.
Some people might feel like this humanizes God too much, that it is a desecration of His glory, perfection and almighty power, but I believe it merely a beautiful illustration of our potential for great glory after this life and a mighty source of strength as we struggle now to reach that potential! God lives, He loves us, He knows what we go through here, and most of all He knows that it's possible and that it's worth it. How else could He know this if He has not experienced both for Himself!
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Dating and Dumdums
Trust me... the title is not what you think. While it does in many ways have application to real life, that is not the reason I chose to title this post "Dating and Dumdums."
At work, both at the fitting room, and at the registers, we have large containers of candy that we can give out to little kids (or adults). We do this as an attempt to convince people that our store is fun so that our customer service survey scores will go up. We also play Disney movies and provide a place for kids to play and color...
In working in the fitting room the last several days, I've had a lot of opportunity to hand out candy to little kids. The pick this week is dumdums, and I've been able to notice that there is a great deal of variation in how kids chose their dumdums. Some reach in hardly glancing at the flavors. Cherry, strawberry, cotton candy... does it matter? Some want to try a little of everything. These kids want one of every flavor. One is not enough and they often try to take two or three of the best looking at the same time, and end up very disappointed at learning that in the end they must leave with one. Others will go through and look at the flavors... wavering back and forth between one or two or three before finally resting on a decision of the most worthwhile. For these there are many that could be good, but it is all about determining which is best. And finally there are the kids who know ahead of time exactly what they are looking for. These kids have a specific flavor in mind (blue raspberry for example) and will comb the whole container over in search of that one dumdum that is going to make them happy. If such a dumdum can be found.
I have begun to think that the choosing of one's dumdums is in many respects similar to dating. Maybe it's just because I'm at BYU and dating is stressed and thought about a lot. Maybe it's because so many people I know are getting married. Maybe it's because subconsciously I want to find someone to date (HA!), or maybe it's simply because it has been a slow week at work which leaves the person in the fitting room a lot of time to think. Regardless, I think there are some valid similarities.
First, there are those who choose haphazardly.... "I'll date any guy/girl that comes along merely to have someone to date." They are all different, and some may not be quite as desirable as others, but in essence they are all made up of the same ingredients. All dumdums are made of sugar.
Next, there are those who want it all. They want the cherries and the strawberries and the butterscotches. These don't want to be told what to do or restricted. In a manner of speaking... these are the players of the world. They like it all, and want it all.
Third, are those who look at what they have and try to make the most of it. These people see that there are a lot of good options but don't need all of them. They have restraint. These are able to come to decisions and be satisfied with whatever they choose. They are realistic and intelligent at the same time. Setting the proper goals, but at the same time, not setting their standards to an unattainable level.
Finally, those who seek for that one dumdum...that one flavor that may or may not exist in a particular batch of suckers... they are the fantasists. They believe in soul mates, and may spend all their time looking for that lone dumdum whilst all the time oblivious to the things that the other flavors have to offer. They may perhaps even know that they like strawberry, but because they have their mind set on grape, they refuse to even consider strawberry as a worthwhile possibility. Too bad for them when grape isn't to be found, and they walk away empty handed.
This comparison is by no means a perfect comparision. Not everything matches up perfectly, but it was fun to think about. I am also not intending to say that the way a person choosees their dumdums in anyway says anything about how they conduct their dating life. I definitely do not believe that this is the case. I am sure that this application could be applied to many other aspects of life, but being a young adult... dating seemed the most worthwhile application.
At work, both at the fitting room, and at the registers, we have large containers of candy that we can give out to little kids (or adults). We do this as an attempt to convince people that our store is fun so that our customer service survey scores will go up. We also play Disney movies and provide a place for kids to play and color...
In working in the fitting room the last several days, I've had a lot of opportunity to hand out candy to little kids. The pick this week is dumdums, and I've been able to notice that there is a great deal of variation in how kids chose their dumdums. Some reach in hardly glancing at the flavors. Cherry, strawberry, cotton candy... does it matter? Some want to try a little of everything. These kids want one of every flavor. One is not enough and they often try to take two or three of the best looking at the same time, and end up very disappointed at learning that in the end they must leave with one. Others will go through and look at the flavors... wavering back and forth between one or two or three before finally resting on a decision of the most worthwhile. For these there are many that could be good, but it is all about determining which is best. And finally there are the kids who know ahead of time exactly what they are looking for. These kids have a specific flavor in mind (blue raspberry for example) and will comb the whole container over in search of that one dumdum that is going to make them happy. If such a dumdum can be found.
I have begun to think that the choosing of one's dumdums is in many respects similar to dating. Maybe it's just because I'm at BYU and dating is stressed and thought about a lot. Maybe it's because so many people I know are getting married. Maybe it's because subconsciously I want to find someone to date (HA!), or maybe it's simply because it has been a slow week at work which leaves the person in the fitting room a lot of time to think. Regardless, I think there are some valid similarities.
First, there are those who choose haphazardly.... "I'll date any guy/girl that comes along merely to have someone to date." They are all different, and some may not be quite as desirable as others, but in essence they are all made up of the same ingredients. All dumdums are made of sugar.
Next, there are those who want it all. They want the cherries and the strawberries and the butterscotches. These don't want to be told what to do or restricted. In a manner of speaking... these are the players of the world. They like it all, and want it all.
Third, are those who look at what they have and try to make the most of it. These people see that there are a lot of good options but don't need all of them. They have restraint. These are able to come to decisions and be satisfied with whatever they choose. They are realistic and intelligent at the same time. Setting the proper goals, but at the same time, not setting their standards to an unattainable level.
Finally, those who seek for that one dumdum...that one flavor that may or may not exist in a particular batch of suckers... they are the fantasists. They believe in soul mates, and may spend all their time looking for that lone dumdum whilst all the time oblivious to the things that the other flavors have to offer. They may perhaps even know that they like strawberry, but because they have their mind set on grape, they refuse to even consider strawberry as a worthwhile possibility. Too bad for them when grape isn't to be found, and they walk away empty handed.
This comparison is by no means a perfect comparision. Not everything matches up perfectly, but it was fun to think about. I am also not intending to say that the way a person choosees their dumdums in anyway says anything about how they conduct their dating life. I definitely do not believe that this is the case. I am sure that this application could be applied to many other aspects of life, but being a young adult... dating seemed the most worthwhile application.
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