Of Rules, Discipline, and Doing the Right Thing

Untitled, originally uploaded by B.Riordan..

I can't believe how much neglected this blog is.  I've been gone from here for so long that I almost forgot my sign-in details hahaha!  Anyway, I hope that I am back for good from my long hiatus.

What's up with Brewed Coffee these days?  Dealing with the real world, that's what I have been doing during the interim.  The real world of course is comprised mostly of work, work, and work.  I have learned through the years how to deal with mounds of work load.   Deadlines and truck full of tasks don't scare me out of my wits anymore.  But dealing with problematic people in the workplace is really taking a toll on my heart and emotional health.  

Discipline in the workplace is something I highly value.  It's not like I'm a drill sergeant, but I expect people to behave accordingly and follow simple company rules and guidelines.  But I can be very, very strict when it comes to safety protocols.  And so I have given a handful of people a taste of the dark, strong Brewed Coffee.  I felt like Bugs Bunny saying " I speak softly....but I carry a big stick!"  In my case, I'm more like carrying a big pot of boiling coffee.  Just humoring myself there. 

It's one thing to be disciplining people under you, but it's another thing when you find out, people from your own rank are breaking the rules.  That got me really frustrated for a time.  It got me thinking also if I am the only one trying to do the right thing.  I thought I was fighting a good battle, only to find out I had no good back-up.  That's like looking back, seeing people cheering you on but they're not making any moves.  That stopped me from my tracks.  It's definitely time to re-assess my situation.  

All in all, I have learned valuable lessons.  That's what I like about this whole experience.  It has taught me to be calm, yes to speak softly even if I am on the verge of whacking someone in the head.  Sometimes, I still wonder if that would have served the person better than my lengthy sermons.  Evil thoughts hahaha!  Scrap that out.  I've learned also, and still learning to control my emotions, being the jumpy type that I am, sometimes.  Oh alright then, most of the time I am jumpy.  But the best thing about this whole thing is, I know that I am somehow planting seeds, hopefully the good seeds of discipline.

I know myself better now, the things I am capable of doing, and recognizing that there are some things that are really out of my hands.  One thing is for sure...I will not stop doing what is right, even if no one's looking and I'm the only person left who would do the right thing.  

Read More

Hunger Management...

Human behaviour., originally uploaded by Zawezome.

I'm not really going to talk about how to end hunger in the world. Just telling here an amusing story that could have turned tragic, but I thank God that I was reminded of important lessons instead.

I've mentioned before that on weekdays, I have breakfast with my colleagues at around 9 am. It's the breakfast club, as I would call it. On ordinary days, one of us, whoever couldn't contain the pang of hunger, would call out and say the magic words: "Let's eat!" That is then followed by a frenzy of preparing the plates, spoons, forks and not to forget my cup of coffee. No breakfast is ever complete without that. This morning is a little bit different from the usual.

Read More

Thumbs Up!

This year's first of July made quite a mark on me, literally.  It was a Friday morning, exactly two weeks ago when I was cutting papers to be used for labeling.  I was using a crude contraption of a cutter blade and a plastic ruler to make sure the cut is straight.  I cringe now as I thought of the force I was applying on the cutter to cut through the layers of paper.  The cutter went past the ruler and cut right to the thumb that was pressing down the ruler. 

Read More

Just Some Sentimental Thoughts....

girl with coffee, originally uploaded by lotzmana.

I wish life were just as simple as having a nice cup of coffee on a lazy day.  And yet, even as my schedule is not that hectic and I do have time to enjoy my morning brew, it's not as calm and relaxing as it looks.  My head spins with lots of thoughts lately.  Family stuff, my own personal stuff, work and things in between.  Sometimes, I wonder if I think too much...but a better question is, am I thinking of worthy stuff?  I suppose, sometimes, I do...hehehe.  

I find my thoughts are mostly driven by my emotional responses.  Like lately, I am saddened about the prospects of losing some of my good staff.  Well, that's life.  You cannot hold them forever as they embark on a different career path, or simply a different working environment.  I have always told my staff to be honest with me, no surprises whatsoever as I don't like the kind of surprises that leave me fumbling at work. A proper turn over should be in order.  It's always my principle that you don't hold good people by the collar...you let them fly and become even better at what they choose to do. 

I probably just suck at goodbyes.  Sometimes, I hate goodbyes, because usually, I am the one left behind.  Tough luck. I've had a lot of colleagues who are good friends and who have already left the company for the proverbial "greener pastures."  I realize, it isn't so tough to see people go if you don't like those people.  But if you've grown attached to them, sometimes treating them already as second family, then somehow, it kind of rips you up somewhere inside.  Maybe it's just the sentimental person in me...but I do know how to let go whenever I have to.  


Meanwhile, sentimental as I am, I manage to stay collected and composed.  I am not the wailing kind hehehe.  I try to make the matter as light as possible.  I seldom cry in front of anyone.  I guess it's partly my pride and I have always reservations about pouring out my emotions.  There are probably only a handful of people in this whole wide world who have had the privilege or the misfortune of seeing me break down and cry on extremely rare occasions.  Outside, I am tough as nails. 

Life is indeed full of comings and goings, of hellos and goodbyes...I guess, we just have to appreciate the in-betweens while we have the chance. 

Read More