Thursday, February 14, 2013

Remain focused on the Present

I was working at the florist yesterday... nearly twelve hours!  And I'm expecting it to be even longer today.  I started with taking customer orders in person and over the phone, then once more workers got there, they had me work at wrapping and packaging flowers to be delivered. 

There were eight floral designers working.  Normally they have one or two.  But they had eight yesterday, all putting together floral arrangements or planters.  And there were two or three of us doing the packaging and wrapping. 

When designers finish a piece, they set it on the floor in the section of the store where the wrappers and delivery drivers mainly work.  You can imagine how, with eight people putting together arrangements, and sometimes just two wrapping them, how backlogged we got.  At one point I looked back behind me on the floor at all the arrangements sitting, waiting for packaging, and there were at least fifteen!  Maybe more. 

I started to get stressed out.  How am I going to get all this done?  Why do they keep making stuff, can't they see we already have too many to wrap?  I wish I wasn't working here right now.  It's never going to end! 

But of course it did end.  I, along with the other wrapper(s), managed to get everything wrapped and packaged.  At least until more were set in their place. 

I was reminded during this time to stay present.  Stay focused.  Things may seem overwhelming at times.  It may feel like we'll never be able to finish all that "needs" to be done.  But we will and we do!  What needs to be done, will be done. 

At a couple points throughout the hours of wrapping when I'd start to feel anxious and frazzled, I gently and lovingly reminded myself to slow down. 

Just slow down

Everything will get done. 
Besides, it's not my job alone to make sure the job is done. 
I'm doing the best I can, being productive.  That is good enough. 

Once I took a moment to stop, breathe, and get present and centered, I felt much better (all two or three times I had to do it). 

I resumed working, but at a slower pace.  Not slow, dragging, and lazy, mind you.  But slower, focused, and centered.  I worked from a place of love instead of a place of fear that I won't be able to do it all. 

And the times I wished I wasn't working there, or at the very least not doing the wrapping task, I reminded myself that the Universe put me there for a reason.  True, my boss told me to work that task instead of taking orders, but the Universe works through our bosses too. 

I accepted that I was given the task of "wrapper" for a reason and I would be the best wrapper I could be. 

Have you heard of the book, "The Fred Factor?"  I read it years ago, but it came to mind yesterday as I worked.  Fred was a postman and always went above and beyond.  He was the best postman.  He was always cheery, friendly, and happy while doing his job of delivering mail.  The book is a testament to the effects of a positive attitude.  And the power of our thoughts to create our reality.  We all know the power of our thoughts. 

We all have the choice to think negative thoughts, such as "I hate my job," "I hate this," "This sucks," etc.  And while you may not like your job or in a situation that really is awful, thinking such thoughts will only make it worse.  And do you really want to be worse? 

Instead, choose to think thankful, loving thoughts.  Even when you're stressed, displeased, or want to change something.  The loving, thankful thoughts will get you where you want to be much, much quicker. 

When "The Fred Factor" popped in my mind yesterday, it reminded me that I could wrap in a frenzy, frantically trying to get everything wrapped, letting the stress get the better of me, and not being happy while doing it. 

OR I could wrap with a sense of purpose.  "I'm here for a reason.  I'm back here wrapping for a reason.  Trust that the Universe knows what it's doing.  I'm thankful for this job.  I love this job (I really do).  I'm happy to be here right now." 

Once I changed my frame of mind, the time flew by.  At one point it was 2:00 - when I looked at the clock to see how much longer I "had to do this."  Then I changed how I looked at the task at hand and where I was at that moment.  And the next time I looked at the time it was nearly 5:00!  I was supposed to be off work at 5, but since they were so busy, they asked if I could stay.  Happily, I said I could, for another hour, but then I needed to go. 

I truly didn't mind continuing to work.  I had found a good place.  But I also remembered to respect myself and my own boundaries and needs.  I had been there since 6:45 that morning (with the exception of leaving for my lunch break).  I needed to get home to Lulu, my other pets, and just give myself some down time before the "big day" (aka Valentine's Day) today.

Today I woke up tired.  I attribute that in part to the long work day yesterday, but also the candy I ate at one point (I needed a "pick-me-up" and while I don't normally eat candy, it helped give me something "yummy" to do while wrapping arrangement after arrangement.). 

Anyway, as I write this, I'm feeling tired.  But I'm also feeling excited to go to work!  Excited to see what this "big day" will bring.  I've heard stories about the craziness of Valentine's Day in a florist.  And I'm about to experience it first-hand.  Will it be more hectic than yesterday (which I thought was pretty darn hectic)?  I'll find out.  But regardless, I'm genuinely and honestly looking forward to being there. 

Our attitude makes a big difference.  Huge.  It can transform us in a matter of seconds.  Just reminding ourselves to be present and centered can do wonders.  That, and remembering that you can do what you're doing in fear (or dislike), or in love.  Choose love!     



Quotes of the Day:


"Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of human freedoms - to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way."  (Viktor E. Frankl)


"Choosing to be positive and having a grateful attitude is going to determine how you're going to live your life."  (Joel Osteen)

"Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude."  (Thomas Jefferson)

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