Thursday, March 08, 2007

I Love Other People

Yesterday gave me a lot of reasons to remember that. It's getting to that busy time again where no one has any free time. We're all gearing up for work projects, volunteer projects, Spring Break, Summer vacations, races, Grandma's birthday, warm weather... you name it, we're all busy and I know you all understand. You're there, too.

For me, it's that on-the-fence time when you're thankful to have a _______ (insert words such as: job, life, circle of friends, good community, legs to run on, etc.) but you're also seeing those free days of the beginning of the year fade away.

Work is like that for me right now. I've taken on the lead of a project along with contributing to another Super Huge project and my entire group is in a learning phase. I suppose it's the nature of this beast called software but one day I'd like to walk into the office and know exactly what's going to happen, just to see what that would feel like. The thing is, I work with some awesome people who are very different than any group I've worked with before. They are generous with information and knowledge, have a great sense of humor and are just good people. I don't have to tell you how rare this is but I'm going to; a group like mine is extremely rare. Which is why, even yesterday when I thought my head would explode with the thought of more on my plate than there already is, I am drop-to-your-knees thankful to work with good people. Long story short[er]: I got help, I know what I'm doing now, I love people. Should I ever come into very large sums of money, I'll find a way to share some with them.

I also work with some pretty great people in the non-profit world. Always being one to think "my boring cubicle world does not define me, oh no!" I feel the need to be involved in other causes. And, truth be told, it's where I'm happy. It's the right place for me, giving my time to something that needs it, under the radar. It's like having a job where whatever you do is great. It's mutually beneficial, even if you make an effort to be selfless, you're going to get something out of it. And, everyone loves a volunteer, right? Well, this volunteer loves everyone she gets to work with and is only about 50% sad that she had to miss Eric Clapton last night due to an already scheduled event. Cliche as it sounds, the faces on those we benefited were worth a thousand riffs. Sorry, Eric, I love people.

Last but never least, I think other bloggers are really cool. I love that your insight on things that get trapped in the "bubble" that is my own world can make me see something differently, and often, more simply than I can on my own. I find it pretty amazing that there's a way to say "hey, here's what I'm doing instead of Christmas gifts" because honestly, I didn't think of that. I find it super cool that there's so little caffeine in Chai tea! I find myself feeling happy to have someone that comments "you are so on top of your world." That statement rocks, even if it's not always how I feel. And I have to say, I'm beyond shocked that there are people who don't know who George Strait is. Once again, this is me realizing the bubble effect in this world. Wow, and thanks for all the comments yesterday and always. I hope those of you not enjoying warm weather right now get to very, very soon. It does wonders.

9 comments:

Backofpack said...

First, I don't know if we can continue this relationship. I mean, how can I, a certified chocolate lover, one who struggles to get through the day without it, relate to someone who doesn't like chocolate? What?!? Who knew people like that really existed? I thought it was just a myth...

Thank goodness you wrote this very timely post on other people and how they take you out of the bubble - I can so relate to that. After all, I just found out that there are people, even people I know, who don't like chocolate!

On a more serious note, I loved this post - recognizing the blessings in your life is a powerful thing. I get the same charge from my volunteer work at the Y - they think I'm helping them, but in reality, it is doing so much for me. And I too have a great group of people to work with. Your wonderful post took me right outside my bubble in a wonderful way today - thanks!

anne said...

I too was floored that people had never heard of George Straight. But that is what makes the world go round. We are all different, unique and wonderful souls.

justacoolcat said...

This coffee is so very good. Mmmmm ahhhh mmmmmm. Maybe I'll go grab a piece of chocolate.

Oh, good post.

Bre said...

Hurray! Someone else who doesn't love chocolate! I'm much more of a "strawberry/vanilla" type of girl, so I'm glad there are others out there too!

And I agree with, oh... everyone else who said how much they enjoyed this post - it's wonderful!

Joe said...

With software development, I don't think you'll never know "exactly what's going to happen". The field is so huge and varied. Also the entities we work with are intangible (have you ever walked down the street and seen a LinkedHashMap playing in the park?). But it's this complexity and our focus on ideas (as opposed to tangible real-world things) that keeps us employed and well-fed.

singleton said...

"Sorry, Eric, I love people"

Gotta love you, girl!

Anonymous said...

Fun post. What a great reminder there is more people out in the world than those in our bubble. I wish I had a bigger bubble frequently.

Legs and Wings said...

I really enjoyed reading your thoughts here today. You are right about the connected-ness of bloggers and the bubble expansion thing. Well done!

runliarun said...

Oh, you are so rich inside.