Friday, April 23, 2010

should i or shouldn't i?

i wrote a letter to my boss as part of the homework she gave us on technical writing.  it's supposed to be about why we should stay on the project (aka employed) but i ended up writing a letter about how i wish she'd replace me instead.  i wrote from the heart.

should i send her that letter or write a fake one on why i should stay hired? i'm not an awful employee so i'm sure i could find something to argue the case--i'm just not sure if i want to....

on one hand, i really can't imagine doing this for a year and one month more.  i feel like i'm wasting my time and energy doing something i have no interest in.  so even if i am gaining some skills, these aren't skills that i want to develop anyway.

but on the other hand, what am i going to do without this job? i guess i could look for a new one, maybe a part-time job, and even study something i actually want to learn in preparation for something that i actually want to do in the future.  i'm just not sure if i am ready for that.

there is also the chance that even if i give the real letter, she won't fire me.  but whenever i see her, i'll know that she knows that i don't really want to be here.  how would that affect the whole situation, i wonder?

Monday, April 19, 2010

the virtue of being stubborn

a lot of people will probably tell you that i am about as stubborn as a mountain (or a mule) and, i'm afraid to say, it isn't always a good thing to be so.

yesterday, i was really drawn in to the priest's sermon about the virtue of being stubborn.  apparently, being stubborn can be a good thing, given two conditions;  if you're going to be stubborn, you might as well ask yourself these two questions:

1. Am I right?
obviously! but then again, not so.  sometimes, nay oftentimes, we are stubborn simply because of our pride. or maybe we're too lazy to gain a new perspective or get the correct answer.  but if you know you're right about something, then that is already half a reason to be stubborn.  you may proceed to the next question.  but if you know you're wrong, then stop right there! what you need is perhaps a lesson in humility.  perhaps in another blog post...

2. Is it worthwhile?
even though we are right, sometimes, the things we are fighting for may not necessarily be worth the trouble.  we have to ask ourselves if the case is worthwhile, or if being stubborn will bring more harm than good in then end.  if it is something that might bring a bit of pain and inconvenience at first but can eventually bring understanding, then go for it.  don't let the frustration and exasperation keep you from staying true to these good beliefs.

i think we can also refer to this virtue as INTEGRITY.