Enthusiasm or Lack Thereof

I talked to someone recently about my struggles in finding a job. That person has worked with me on a number of video projects and said that I don't seem excited about media production. I was taken back by that because media production is how I spend most of my time: I have to communication degrees, I work in media, and I volunteer in media. If I just wanted to kill time there are a number of things in the world to choose from, and this is what I choose. But then when I thought about it, I remembered that this isn't the first time I've heard something similar. 

I worked at Sears a while back and my manager would consistently give me a 1 out of 5 in enthusiasm. That really hurt my feelings because I worked really hard. I could keep up an area with no help, if I closed my area was always clean and organized as opposed to ALL other areas that would need everyone to pitch in so things would look presentable. I could smile and laugh all day long and appear enthusiastic but I don't see how that over shadows my work. People are always saying that non-verbal communication is 95% or some ridiculous number of communication but that's because people are too lazy to dig deeper. It isn't because people say more with their bodies.

At that same Sears job, one day there was a young lady who clearly had a sad demeanor. Even though her body language may have said that she didn't want to be at work, she was at work. She did everything that she was supposed to do. She greeted customers, she offered credit apps, and etc. Still several customers reported that she had "an attitude problem". The manager observed her demeanor and basically agreed and sent the young lady home. If anyone had bothered to talk to her, then they would have learned that her mother, father, and brother had been killed in a car accident a few days prior. To add to that, she was given custody of her only surviving brother. She didn't have a sad demeanor because she didn't want to be at work and she didn't have an attitude problem. If anyone had bothered to scratch beneath the surface then they would have learned the truth. I know a lot of people may wonder why she didn't tell anyone and blame her saying that she should have been transparent about the situation. I refuse to blame her. It isn't her fault that someone else made a judgement based on a shallow observation.

Thankfully, nothing that tragic has happened to me. But I don't think it's fair that people expect me to express myself the way that they express themselves. I show enthusiasm by investing my time and even if I tell you that with a straight face and a steady voice it doesn't make it any less valuable that your expression.

Forsake Not The Fellowship

Pictured Above: me with Bishop Goodman and his lovely wife.
Today I have arrived at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church to celebrate the homegoing of Bishop Dan E. Goodman. He served here on earth as a student, a scientist, a teacher, a pastor, a father, a friend, and so much more; from the remarks I heard at his wake he served well in each role.

Wakes and funerals always make me a little sad until I remember my Uncle Ray who departed his earthly vessel some time ago. In reference to wakes, Uncle Ray said, "[people] always doing stuff backwards. They want to come and have visitation with someone after he dies. The person been alive all this time and you never want to come see them..." It makes me smile a little. I'm glad to say my husband and I didn't do things bacwards when it came to Bishop Goodman. We had just visited with him less than a week before he passed.

Unfortunately, we can't say that about a list of family and friends far too long to count. At the beginning of this year, during our Family Vision Casting Session, we resolved to visit family and friends regularly. We want to put our friends and family on the schedule. We don't want to do things backwards.

Hebrews  10:24-25 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

-- Sent from JRochelle's Palm Pre follow her on Twitter @Orinej