Life’s Truths

That Kid

mikemjensen Life's Truths Leave a comment

Hey Kids,

I have an employee who struggles to meet what is required of him on a daily basis.

At times he soars; he surprises me how he responds. And just when I think he’s arrived, he disappoints me.

When I think he’s at the point of no repair, he again amazes me with his production.

He’s young. He lacks experience. He struggles with judgment.aadfd4dc1b3db328719c7222c9a97131

He’s young. He can push himself. He is unencumbered with his own history.

He reminds me at times of another kid.

Someone still wet with the dew of childhood, lacking experience of the world, and yet believing he knew it all. That guy luckily had people who didn’t hold it against him, taught him the world through example, and let him have his youthful failures and taught him how to succeed.

I think that kid, me, turned out just fine.

I think that other kid just needs the chance to do the same.

 

Post 3-019

One Way

mikemjensen Life's Truths, Words that Rhyme Leave a comment

Hey Kids,

Knock, knock. Who’s there, you didn’t say.

What’s up? I ask. But no answer today.text

My phone shows texts and well wishes cast.

But only one way are these messages passed.

Left with this sole method to show that I care,

I find the return silence is a little much to bear.

For now, I miss you more with each passing year.

But should I stop missing, that’s my greatest fear.

 

Post 3-018

Will the Future Pay?

mikemjensen Life's Truths Tags: , , , , Leave a comment

Hey Kids,

Interesting thought:

What will you do when what you do for a living no longer pays or no longer exists?

Do you have a plan?garyvee

I think that is the challenge of the future.

I heard this thought from Jewel, a well-established singer who doesn’t think people will pay for music in the future. She’s preparing herself for that reality so she can continue to create music and make a living doing it.

I’m a writer. Will people always pay for books, for literature? I don’t know. But if I want to write in the future, I better figure it out.

The future holds no guarantees for anyone; no matter who’s the president.

 

Post 3-014

Weekend or End of the Week?

mikemjensen goals, Life's Truths, Road Trip, Useless Observations, Utah Leave a comment

Hey Kids,

After a weekend of fun, returning to work is such a downer.

Sitting at my desk, I couldn’t help but think that just 24 hours sooner, I was waking up in Moab.

img_20170107_171009450So why was I back to the day job?

Oh yeah, bills, money, food. Not necessarily in that order.

Some will say that it’s important to keep perspective. The weekend is just that. It’s a time to refresh, have some fun, but real life is about responsibility and hard work. “Adulting” is what some people call it.

I think it needs to go the other way. Work should be the fun thing. Weekends should be just a break to help you stay at your best.

I think I’m doing it all wrong.

 

Post 3-009

Pioneers

mikemjensen Interesting Stuff (to me anyway), Life's Truths, Utah Tags: , , , Leave a comment

Hey kids,

A few weeks ago, we stopped at the dam of our newest favorite reservoir. I had noticed the little info marker before but never took the time to read it. This time I did.

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It took me a few passes at it to get it.

If we look hard enough, most of the obstacles we face are not entirely unique; only to us. If you look around, there are signs where others have passed. They already forged a path and you can have the confidence that it’s passable.

Pioneers give me courage. If they did it, why can’t I?

 

Post #50-64

 

Extra Time

mikemjensen Life's Truths, Vanity Tags: , , , 1 Comment

EHey kids,

My mind still thinks back to the passing of Angela last week.

And of Andrew. A friend grown from working together who passed the day after Thanksgiving a number of years ago. He was 48.

Tracy died 4 years ago. She was my age. She was also a staff member and someone I really loved. After her passing, I finally admitted that she had always been my favorite, as accused for years. Her passing hit me hard.

Life is so random.IMG_20160712_191038

I’m fifty. I work hard and I’m amazed how much I’m still able to push myself. I have good health. Maybe a few issues here and there but I’m healthy. I have a thinking mind. I have a dream and a future. I have hope to see my kids grow up, to see grand kids, and to share many years and experiences and adventures with my incredible wife.

Why do I get to carry on after others around me, who had just as much to live for, were cut short? I don’t know. I thank God. I’ve been given more time to pursue my hopes, to enjoy life, and to share with others.

I hope there’s a better place my friends have entered. My wish is that it turns out to be me who is missing out for sticking around here.

But in case it all ends with my last breath, I hope I’m breathing hard because I made the most of what I’d been giving.

Enjoy life; tomorrow may never come.

 

Post 50-56

A Lot of Little

mikemjensen Life's Truths Tags: , , Leave a comment

Hey kids,

Annette and I are told on a regular basis how much fun we must have. They comment on the adventures we experience and the things we do.

Funny thing is, we don’t feel like we do so much.

We get out. We have our cheap kayaks and we have our places we like to visit. We bought passes to the state and federal parks so we can pop in on them whenever we want without worrying about entrance fees.

We like to do day trips.

Actually, we do day trips because of our crazy work schedules and the four jobs between us. So when a day opens for a few hours, we go to where time allows. Today it was a little excursion to East Canyon Reservoir for some floating, picnic, and relaxing.

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I believe it’s the collection of little trips, the little adventures that make it look like we’re always out exploring the world. We don’t have the time or the money for the big ticket adventures, and maybe that’s why it appears we have so many.

 

Post #50-54

A Bad/Good Good Bye

mikemjensen Life's Truths Tags: , Leave a comment

Hey kids,

Today I attended a funeral service for a staff member, Angela.

It’s the second time an active member of my team that has passed on my watch and the third team member for whom I have attended services.

I don’t feel this should be part of the job but apparently it’s life.

Angela had been sick for a while and had suffered a number of strokes and heart problems in the past few months. I already knew she would not return to the crew but I didn’t expect her passing until the last week, the last few days really.

I never know what to say at these things but I did feel it was my part to represet her work life. I told a few stories. We laughed. We cried. In the end I noted how she’ll be missed.

She really will. I modeled a character after Angela. She was a huge personality. She impacted my life.

The church official did not know her so well. He mentioned how he wished he had known her better, or at least in the same way that those of us shared.

He ended on the note that he would take away from this service the importance of taking the time to get to know people around us beyond the surface level, beyond the guarded exterior most of us construct. He urged us to do the same.

I’m guilty of the same with many people around me. Angela I knew. How many Angela’s could I know?

I’ll miss that girl. The crew will never be quite the same.

I felt sad to say good-bye but good to see so many people she touched that I never knew she had. It warmed my heart to know I won’t be the only person who will always remember Angela.

 

Post #50-52