Performance Anxiety

Do not judge so that you will not be judged. For by the standard you judge you will be judged, and the measure you use will be the measure you receive. 

Matthew 7:1-2 

 

Have you ever considered how our society has become so competitive? We'll turn anything into a contest, won't we?  

"I can hold my breath longer than you" 

"I can spot more Buicks from out of state than you"  

"I am a better spouse than you will ever be"  

"I am a better worker than you can even consider"

 

We use our competitive nature to give reason to judge others.  Please don't misunderstand, standards are good and need to be in place, and they need to apply to everyone equally.  

 

I was talking with a friend from a previous employer last night because he was upset and needed someone he could vent to without getting into trouble.  I found one statement he made extremely poignant:  "The only time I see [my supervisor] is when I get chewed out for something."  You see, that kicked my mind into thinking mode.  How many times have I heard people tell me that their supervisor makes it a point to come tell them that they are appreciated and compliment them?

But how are we to handle people who only seem to bring negativity?  Well, there's a reason why Peter reminds us to: "Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you."(1 Peter 5:7).  Give this person to God EVERY SINGLE TIME they come to mind and every time they come to talk with you.  Give God the anxiety you have in dealing with them.  And here's the kicker (we've talked about this before) LEAVE it with God and let Him deal with those people.  

You see, we cannot control how someone talks to us or how they treat us; the only thing we can control is our response!

When you talk with someone, make sure when the conversation is over that each leaves with a positive result.  Make sure people know they are appreciated.

In keeping with that, I want to publicly state that I appreciate my Lieutenant, Maria Yturria for her positive attitude and calm approach.  I appreciate my Captain, Heidi Jackson, for her encouragement and for her positive attitude. I also declare my appreciation for my fellow Chaplains for their dedication, positive outlook, their willingness to work as a team for the betterment of each other and our Department.  Each of these, and so many more, have my respect, care, and love.

See?  That didn't hurt AND it's the truth!

 

Are You Courteous?

When you talk, you should always be kind and pleasant so you will be able to answer everyone in the way you should.

Colossians 4:6 

 

When you think of courtesy, what comes to mind?  Is it someone hold the door open for those who follow?  Perhaps it is someone who has enough groceries to plan an expedition up the Amazon allowing the person with three items to go ahead of them.  Perhaps it is the person who offers to help someone out who is short of cash.

 

I am an observer of people.  Something that has struck me, with great force, is the mortal wounding of this thing called courtesy.  Care to witness a lack of courtesy, hit the road and drive in rush hour traffic.  Or try walking from your car to the store in the rain; those in their cars don't care if you get wet as long as you don't get in their way.  What happened to courtesy?  

 

What happened to saying "Please" and "Thank You" and "You're Welcome"?  

 

In the words of Alfred Lord Tennyson: "The greater man the greater courtesy."  If one is to be great and respected, be courteous!

What Do You Mean "It's Not All About Me"?

When you talk, you should always be kind and pleasant 

so you will be able to answer everyone in the way you should.

Colossians 4:6

Remember the days when courtesy was the norm?  Remember when "please" and "thank you" and "you're welcome" were common?  Remember when holding the door for someone else or helping others was just the way we did things?  What has happened to those days?

Take a look around.....we, as a society, have developed the "Gimme" attitude where "I come first and no one else matters."  Where did that mentality come from?  We learn habits.  We begin learning them from the day of our birth and continue learning them throughout our lives.  AND we teach them to others as we get older.  

This "It's ALL about me" mentality is straight from the pit and smells like smoke!  Remember Jesus' instruction "Do to others as you would have done to you"?  He wasn't kidding and it wasn't a suggestion!