being grateful

I was interrupted in the midst of the last blog.  Maria needed to go to work.  I was her ride and didn't realize her start time was approaching.  I was starting to talk about how introspection that leads to discontent is a selfish activity.  My segue into gratitude should begin with a brief mention of my girlfriend.  We have been together 3 years and well, sometimes I take her for granted.  I shouldn't.  She is a great person.  I am thankful that she is a big part of my life.  Ever been asked what makes a good relationship?  I'd like to think that a good relationship is one where someone brings out something in yourself that you really like.  It is usually something that is already there but takes someone special to evoke it.  Maria helps me appreciate the real things in life.  The picture I uploaded is one I took at the Los Angeles Zoo a couple of months back.  That smile is so genuinely happy.  We both had a real good time that day.  This world can pose so many things that will challenge your happiness; anxiety about the future or worry about your security are two things that come readily to mind.  Maria can put things away from her mind and enjoy her surroundings.  When we are together she is not checking her watch or cell phone.  This tells me that she is content to be where she is and that is with me.  Isn't that great!

Well I have been derailed from the original purpose of today's blog.  Ever notice how hard it is to pursue a chain of thought once you've set upon another?  I celebrated twenty years with Gelsons this July.  The Company held a breakfast for associates who had served 15, 20, 25, 30 and even 35 years.  I took a picture with the President of Gelsons, Bob Stiles and the head of Arden Group Bernard Briskin.  Both really, really nice guys; not your usual suits.  Gelsons is a company that truly takes care of its employees.  The breakfast is just one way that they let their associates know that they are remembered.  At the breakfast looking around I noticed that the people who were celebrating these milestone anniversaries had one quality in common.  They were all truly conscientious persons, all Good Samaritans who would go out of their way to make someone else happy.  I didn't start this blog to highlight what a great company Gelsons is nor how great its longtime employees are.  I wanted to explore my feelings and thoughts concerning my longevity with this supermarket.  Truth is that a lot of my closest relationships began through the store.  Some of the standards I hold for myself have been developed through my duties with Gelsons.  My time there has impacted me in more ways than just providing a paycheck.  Twenty years is a long time.  And yes maybe there are other things I could have done in that time.  But would I want to throw away the friendships and experiences brought on by my time there?  Probably not.  Would I like to see who I would become if ever the metaphoric umbilical cord is cut?  Probably so.  As Asia eloquently put it in that great progressive rock ballad from the eighties, "only time will tell."  I am sure the phrase was around before but I always think the sentiment as how it was sung in that song.

commemorative moment

I was hired by Mayfair Markets on July 21, 1986.  My friend arranged the interview with the Grocery Store Director.  He had been working there a couple of months and wanted to quit.  I don't remember why he wanted to leave but he did not just want to leave without supplying a body to replace his.  I am sure he thought it was a good opportunity for me seeing as I still hadn't had my first job.  My interview was conducted in the morning.  I remember having love-bites from the night before on a part of my neck which could not be hidden by any collar.  In my defense I was eighteen and eighteen year olds are allowed discrepancies other members of society are forbidden.  The store director was understanding.  He made a comment about telling my girlfriend to lay off the neck area.  I was hired and told to work that night's closing shift.  My friend had quit and I was taking his shift. 

Twenty years and two weeks later I am still employed by the same market.  The store I work at has been converted into a Gelsons Market but the holding company is still Arden group.  So in essence I am still working for the same company.  20 years with the same company.  I don't know how to process that fact.  It says good things about me.  I haven't been fired for one.  I am loyal and consistent.  But it also poses the question, is there something else I could have done?  Is there another vocation that would maybe have brought out something better from me?  Would the world have benefited had I done great things in another field?  Questions, Questions everywhere, not a drop of wisdom to drink. 

Introspection is a selfish activity.  It says about a person, he is not grateful, he is seeking something better.  to be continued...