This past week I started a second part time job which has definitely added to the craziness of my weekly schedule! I know work as a retail associate in a clothing department store AND a Christian book/music/apparel/knick-knack store. I never imagined myself working in a Christian store, though I suppose it makes more sense than my working in a clothing store! I was a little hesitant about going into another retail job, but I decided that I was going to give it a shot and face it head on; upon doing so I have found myself pleasantly surprised by the difference.
There is a quote from the movie The Departed that goes, "I don't want to be a product of my environment, I want my environment to be a product of me." I deeply love this quote and I reflect these words in my heart, the fact of the matter that even if we live in such a way as to not be driven by our surroundings, we are still highly influenced by them. That being said, I have noticed a significant difference in the environments of the two place of employment. One is incredibly stress-filled, unrewarding, and toxic, while the other is relaxed, cooperative, and encouraging.
The reason for this lies in the philosophies of the owners/CEO's of the two businesses, and there policies on "employee service". One cares nothing about their employees and is more than willing to throw them under the bus for the sake of "numbers" and does not care about the overall health of the company, but rather focuses on the profits to the point of creating policies that will ultimately leave the store in ruins. The Christian bookstore, however, takes the needs of their employees and their customers much more seriously. They take the time to recognize the strengths of their employees. They create a work environment that utilizes teamwork rather than creating an atmosphere of "competition" and encouraging sale-sharking.
The fact is that environment is one of the key elements in our growth and development. It is the job of business owners and employers to create the healthiest environment possible for their employees, as it is also the task of parents to provide the healthiest environment for their children, and a priest for his parish. The environment that we live in will always affect us, no matter how strong-willed we are.
I am incredibly grateful that God has provide me with this realization and for a place that provides a healthier environment for me to work and to grow. I hope that soon I will be able to completely remove the unhealthy environment from my life.
I would encourage any who read this to please, examine your life and ask yourself "Am I in a healthy environment?" and if not "Can I change this and make my environment healthier?" If you fond that you are unable to make your environment healthy...then perhaps it's time for a move (literally or metaphorically). There is a time to stand and a time to run, and the hard part is knowing the difference.
Grace and Wisdom,
Stephen
There is a quote from the movie The Departed that goes, "I don't want to be a product of my environment, I want my environment to be a product of me." I deeply love this quote and I reflect these words in my heart, the fact of the matter that even if we live in such a way as to not be driven by our surroundings, we are still highly influenced by them. That being said, I have noticed a significant difference in the environments of the two place of employment. One is incredibly stress-filled, unrewarding, and toxic, while the other is relaxed, cooperative, and encouraging.
The reason for this lies in the philosophies of the owners/CEO's of the two businesses, and there policies on "employee service". One cares nothing about their employees and is more than willing to throw them under the bus for the sake of "numbers" and does not care about the overall health of the company, but rather focuses on the profits to the point of creating policies that will ultimately leave the store in ruins. The Christian bookstore, however, takes the needs of their employees and their customers much more seriously. They take the time to recognize the strengths of their employees. They create a work environment that utilizes teamwork rather than creating an atmosphere of "competition" and encouraging sale-sharking.
The fact is that environment is one of the key elements in our growth and development. It is the job of business owners and employers to create the healthiest environment possible for their employees, as it is also the task of parents to provide the healthiest environment for their children, and a priest for his parish. The environment that we live in will always affect us, no matter how strong-willed we are.
I am incredibly grateful that God has provide me with this realization and for a place that provides a healthier environment for me to work and to grow. I hope that soon I will be able to completely remove the unhealthy environment from my life.
I would encourage any who read this to please, examine your life and ask yourself "Am I in a healthy environment?" and if not "Can I change this and make my environment healthier?" If you fond that you are unable to make your environment healthy...then perhaps it's time for a move (literally or metaphorically). There is a time to stand and a time to run, and the hard part is knowing the difference.
Grace and Wisdom,
Stephen
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