STAY IN YOUR LANE

If you have been reading my blog regularly, you will have an understanding of the ups and downs of my YMCA career as well as undoubtedly have a grasp of the numerous positions I’ve held over the past thirty plus years. From camp counselor to most recently payroll administrator the story’s much like a soap opera, as the plot and climax remain the same but a new cast of characters and scenes change with each passing season. With all the positions I held and the numerous changes in leadership, I have survived the continuous bombardment of learning curves and understanding behavior dynamics.

Each position presented itself with its new set of knowledge and skills which often where not transferable from the position departed. I managed to secure three degrees: Associate of Arts (Elementary Education), Bachelor of Public Administration and Master of Science in Parks and Recreation Administration as well as almost completed a Doctoral program, ABD as well. While working in child care, I completed my Associate of Arts degree and found the parallels in both my academic studies and professional career. As my career moved along towards more administrative duties, my Bachelor of Public Administration and Master of Parks and Recreation Administration prepared me for the new challenges my new roles would take me on. With each educational attainment came an exciting opportunity for my career to advance as well. With such specific parallels, I was able to broaden my skills sets allowing me to diversify my knowledge portfolio in an intentional direction. As these same characters appear and reappear throughout my journey and how my story keeps unfolding – page by page. I find some come in for a reason which you may not know at that time, while others come in for a season to teach a much needed lesson.

With each passing year, a new cast of characters and scenes take the place of some others who have moved on. As I mentioned, the plot and climax remained the same, just understanding the dynamics of behavior interwoven in the existing story always brings a twist with the same conclusion. The complexity of the characters is an unforgiving puzzle, in that once you think you have found the solution, there still is a missing piece that doesn’t quite fit the final vacancy on the puzzle board. It’s not until you get down to the looking at the intricate woven fiber that its noted where that piece will play out. The piece you just thought fit perfectly well in that upper right hand corner actually fit better in the lower left hand corner after you reexamined the jagged edges compared to the void on the puzzle board. The void, slowly plays out as you find how the piece seamlessly integrates within the framework of the storyline.

Along my journey, (as many have you come to know my idiom for my career) I’ve learned to stay in in my lane and only offer to change lanes when approached or finding that safe, sweet spot to move over a lane or two. Most often, staying in my lane and keeping up with the speed limit is the best option, I realized I will still get there, albeit eventually. Perhaps with the comforts of my own vehicle, held in safety and speed as the existing traffic warrants, I relish the ride, alone. At times, I may just want to pull over and enjoy the scenery or take a small break to break up the silent monotony, while staying focused on the destination ahead. I continue, to proceed at my own steadfast pace, affording opportunities presented and not simply passing them up. Before I know it, the time has come for me to leave my lane and pull over, and repeat the cycle, once again.

Thanks, to a greater share of today’s technology in our lives, the whirlwind of today not tomorrow deadlines and the constant and instant accessibility have in turn created endless days. I found myself compromising my own well being and to a certain extent my own health, I always felt the need to look out for others’ missteps to prevent mishaps, adjust priorities to make sure tasks are completed and deadlines are met. Many may call it loyalty, dedicated and professionalism - I call it work ethic ingrained into my soul from an early age. Contrarily, I’m starting to question and place the blame on being naïve and lessons not learned early on. I caused my own falling into this trap one too many times. Rarely, if ever gained or benefited for myself at the expense of putting others first. The lesson learned was to always take priority for myself as no one else will make you their priority. It still remains difficult for me to stand up for myself and pushback and say no and let things go and not feel guilty. I will have to try harder and not fear the consequences of creating and staying in my own lane.

As the road ahead blends and blurs with the sky’s horizon ahead, it seamlessly becomes an illusion of the road’s infinite ribbons composed of asphalt and concrete. I continue to drive towards a destination where the finale has yet to be determined, as I am too busy savoring the journey. “The journey is the reward.” as stated by Steve Jobs, founder of Apple Computer. Well said. Ultimately, I have found my lane, but every once in a while, I find time to stop and take a breather and other times its best to know that staying in my own lane will take me on a journey, exclusively shaped for me by my creator.

 

MINDING MANNERS WHEN MANNERS MATTER

February 2017

It has taken me nearly 3 months to get around to reading all the texts, e-mails, phone calls, Facebook posts and letters of love and support sent to Mom and I received on the recent passing of Vilmos (Bill) Kovacs, my Dad. Not only where there plenty of reading to do, but for me, reading them was the one of the most difficult parts of the grieving process I had to face. Contrarily, my willingness to talk about Dad or share a memory sheds less tears but not necessarily minimizing any emotions and the loss.

With a heavy, aching heart, Mom and I are trying to find our lives back to a new routine without Dad. He was a fighter to the end and will be remembered by all as a generous, kind soul who was devoted to his family and friends. The smiles, the laughter and taking time to listen to his stories he shared will be missed. From the outpouring of family and friends, it is no doubt he left his mark in all those he met whether lifelong friends or newly made ones.

From as far back as I can remember to even present day, my closest friends who came around to my parents' house knew my parents not as Bill and Elizabeth, not Mr and Mrs Kovacs, but called them Mom and Dad. Being an only child, the love and respect my friends have for my parents, allowed me to have "brothers" and "sisters" that I never had. When visiting, many friends like to visit and spend time chatting with them or when calling always ask how my parents are doing and then I get my time to engage in conversation with them. Never crossing my mind as why they would ask about my parents first, but I looked it at as not only do I have a great circle of friends but have even more awesome parents who were held in such regard by them.

Most of you have known in the last few years I was not only his son, but devoted caregiver along with my Mom being the primary caregiver. However, many of you never met my Dad. When newly retired, he offered to help us deliver Christmas trees during the holidays to our Y family centers or the Y after-school and pre-school sites I oversaw, or on the rare occasion when he visited a Y I worked at, I proudly introduced him to my work family. Even while battling cancer and the brutal treatments to overcoming three strokes and other health issues, he always fought and held strong despite the adversity thrown at him while remaining selfless to others. Those closest to me, have often been subject to me sharing some of our funniest, as well as well as most difficult times we’ve been through over the past several years.

For this, I want to thank each and every one of you for being there for me then and now. Many of you helped me get through some of the darkest days by reaching out to me, held me close with a hug or just simply being there. This has helped me celebrate Dad, in the way I prefer to remember him, as a relentless, stubborn warrior against illness and an enormous heart and taking his role as provider, father and husband as his personal creed.

Over the years, the myriad caregivers and health care professionals we encountered became part of our extended family. With their warmth, compassion and sense of humor they welcomed us genuinely and affectionately into their inner circle. These dedicated individuals continued to reinforce his strength to overcome the multiple health issues he faced. All the medical teams we encountered, embraced our family through some of the most challenging times we faced. Dad always fought and held strong despite the adversity thrown at him, he most often proved he was stronger than both Mom and I combined. Dad is the one who always reminded us “He’ll be alright” while Mom and I wondered how he would get through another obstacle in his way.

Through the help of devoted caretakers and medical professionals, they helped make the last several months of his life as comfortable as possible. Here’s a shout out to the ones who went above and beyond with a smile and offered extended emotional support. Mom and I would appreciate this letter be shared with all those who crossed paths with him as well and allow them to shine like the stars they are! They made his days better and brighter through providing him quality care despite the difficulty we faced as a family, transitioning to various levels of care. Helping him both medically and socially brought comfort to us, knowing he was being taken care of by many individuals who treated him with love, dignity, respect and genuine care. There are no words cannot express our gratitude and appreciation for all that they have done for us.

This last obstacle thrown at him, was the one he was unable to overcome, and probably why his passing made it all the harder for us. As Mom and I stood by his bedside, hoping, once again, that he will rebound and conquer and “be alright. “ In our hearts, we already knew it was time for him to let go and be free of the pain he so long endured.

It is my hope this past holiday season and forthcoming ones allowed time to bring you and your families together, create new memories, cherish past memories and time to reflect on what is what valued most, family, friends and time to be together. In prayer, I wish you and your families and friends opportunities to be filled with health, happiness and all that you dream.

Throughout my life, my parents proved once again, minding manners when manners matter does make a difference.

REVISITING THE TORTOISE AND THE HARE TODAY

I am certain we all remember Aesop’s fable of The Tortoise and the Hare where the amiable tortoise triumphs the overconfident hare in the race of the century. I beg to differ, the tortoise may have won the race but the hare still may have come out ahead.

Times have changed for both the employee and the employer a whole 180 degrees since a century ago and even from when I first started 30 plus years ago. I’d like to believe the employer and employee would have a symbiotic relationship towards each other’s success. In the far distant past, it was the norm to take on a career with a company from college graduation until retirement. Today its expected and the norm that one will not only change companies you work for, but jobs and possibly careers once every five to seven years, mathematically coming to a minimum of seven times prior to retirement. This doesn’t even account the vast majority of college graduates whom end up in careers having a slim chance of paralleling their studies which culminated in a bachelor’s degree or greater.

Reflecting on the tortoise, it’s the perfect analogy of my own career path. I am crawling slowly in terms of moving ahead in my career options. Much of the lack of climbing the latter towards the proverbial glass ceiling was in large part of how living life gets in the way of what you dream as to what your life would be. I am not saying to give up on your dreams but life is filled with the unexpected detours and perceived obstacles.

Here’s my story. After I graduated high school, here’s what I dreamed life to be. Graduate college at 22, be married by 24 and have two children by 32, teaching first grade and spending my summers traveling. Then reality set in. I completed my undergraduate degree at almost 24, still not married – hence no children. I completed all but a dissertation towards a Ph.D at almost 26. As an only child with very limited family within a few hours travel even by plane, my small, yet strong family consisted of my parents, a dog and myself. My unexpected detour occurred at one of the peaks of my career when I ended up being a caregiver for my mother after an auto accident and then caring for my father for the last 20 years of his life. Now, I am handling much of the aftermath of his passing by working though the bureaucracy of hospitals, health insurance, banking and other issues, I wonder how my life may have played out in a different scenario as if I continued climbing up the rungs of the ladder. I don’t believe living my life in regrets, I just look back on this and would not have traded what I went through for a career filled with positions of prestige and ultimately more income .

My career started off strong working in child care and summer day camps for the first dozen or so years. With my thirst for growth and knowledge of the YMCA as a whole, I expanded into new roles at the corporate office; trainer for YMCA of the USA and State of Florida in child care and summer day camps; grants/fundraising; contract compliance; information technology; human resources and payroll/benefits. I believe I have proven my worth by versatility and adaptability through not only changes in positions but changes in leadership over my 30 plus years at the YMCA. Much of my success is hidden in the impact of the lives I made through the programs I ran and the grants I’ve written. I’m the faceless name which 1000s of families were impacted by the work I’ve done.

My journey, yes, I do compare my career to a journey, hence the name of my blog, I’ve seen more come and go and less stay for the duration. Those who’ve come and gone over the years are ones, like a flat stone skipping across a flat pond, move smoothly, without missing a beat from one promotion to another. Rather than stone sinking, they move on and often out of the organization. Many are hurriedly promoted through the ranks and are expected to succeed on their own laurels rather than be guided and supported by mentors climbing the rungs of their own careers.

Back to my analogy of the tortoise and the hare …

The tortoise, much like myself, moving slowly and steady through his career and leaving no traces of the path taken and leaving no signs of his presence even after finishing first. The hare’s attention seeking and trailblazing path leaves no doubt in anyone’s mind the hare left his mark and rapidly roars through the ranks. The hare was ready to conquer the next race despite the loss against the tortoise. Left in the hare’s dust, the tortoise crawls past the race path and continues to meander on. The tortoise, continues to be steadfast in his pace as the hare leaves all in his path overturned. Often the tortoise is misunderstood as too nostalgic of years past, although the tradition, purpose and the foundation of what the race is all about what he is all about.

While the hare hurried through the race he kept his eye on the finish of the race and each subsequent race and the past remained a blur. The hare, though his eyes were set on the win he had not allowed time for his senses to absorb the abundant richness around him. Ultimately, the hare failed in noting the tortoise’s past activities led to his own inherited opportunities which passed the tortoise while life interrupted his career. The bystanders and cheerers may have applauded the tortoise initially upon crossing the finish line, but the ostentatious presence of the hare will keep fresh in the memories of many for years to come.

As for the tortoise, he may have won the race but in the eyes of many, the hare remains the victorious champion as sometimes life just gets in the way.

LOOKING BACK ONLY SHOWS ME HOW FAR I’VE COME

In the last couple months, I found those closest to me have been extremely thoughtful with words of thoughts and prayers. While these same people are the hardest for me to reach out to personally acknowledge their reflections.

Ironically, it was easy to hide behind texts, e-mails, chats, Facebook, avoid phone calls and reading cards of first, support and now, sympathy. I am only now finding strength to read and listen to words of wisdom, comfort, love and support.

As I close Chapter 46 tonight...I reflect on a year filled with as many blessings and lessons.

I…

Visited with friends a far and caught up,
Appreciated lifelong friendships can pick up where they left off, regardless of years past.

Saw some friends move further away,
Felt heartbroken to see some move physically away,
while others where moved further away emotionally.

Explored and adventured in another city,
Walked the neighborhoods where my parents lived when I was first born,
Felt the magic of Hollywood and the mammoth City of Los Angeles.

Found myself and stepped out of my comfort zone,
Spoke up for myself when I disagreed or felt I was being taken advantage of.

Leaped over hurdles and breakdown my fears,
It was just a lot of little things, helped me overcome and conquer.

Experienced emotional pain of losing my father,
Taught me losing someone so pivotal, makes my time, my worst enemy.

Made one of the hardest decisions of my life,
Carrying out my Dad’s last wishes as his life was ending.

Celebrated new found friends and reconnected with many more than I count,
Whether work, academic alumni or others – I hope we can stay in touch.

Witnessed there is still beauty with each sunrise,
Comforted me knowing God helps me through pain by bringing me peace.

Tested the bounds of friendship in my darkest hours,
Found my true friends continued to reach out to me and be there.

Found beauty in the smallest, simplest things,
Hugs and smiles, beautiful days, act of random kindness, laughing kids, catching up with friends.

There are strangers filled with compassion, and even more who must be angels on earth,
Finding good people everywhere and some who are just beyond amazing in their devotion to their calling to what they do.

Expressed my opinion on heated conversations,
Stood strong on my beliefs and accepted some may disagree and choose to end the friendship.

Made better decisions towards my health,
Stood in the eyes of stress and defied most of those demons,
took time to lose more weight, lose more body fat and to exercise.

Cried more in the last month than I laughed,
Found strength and lost it in my weaknesses,
For all I’ve been through in life a lesson learned early on was that I own all my feelings and never to apologize for who I am or my emotions.

It definitely was a chapter proving once again tenacity and resilience continue to stand by me today, just as they have in the past.

Reminding me again,

“Yesterday is a canceled check;
tomorrow is only a promissory note;
but today is the only cash you have – invest and spend wisely!”

My guess, I will start tomorrow with "Good morning..." as I am filled with gratitude to see another sunrise and begin filling Chapter 47...

 

OUR SPOKEN WORDS MATTER AS MUCH AS SILENT VOICES

Being a first generation American, I proudly hail my right, my responsibility and ultimately my duty to vote. It is something I don’t take lightly, as in our short, rich history many Americans fought for our freedoms and lost their lives for our country, the United States of America. I realize I am beginning to sound very cliché as I write but I make no apologies for the words I chose to use.

I find myself to be much like a private investigator when it comes to campaigns, I take time to look at each of the candidates across the definitive lines of republicans, democrats and independents and see where their agendas, wishes and direction is poised to move us as a community, state or nation. Once I determine who I wish to support, the one coming closest to my own personal values and the direction I would like to see us go in the upcoming years. The 2016 Presidential Campaign I found my choices of potential candidates became eliminated with each debate round and forced me to reanalyze and reselect the next possible best choice.

This campaign season appeared to be much longer than most but probably really wasn’t. With a lot of strong opinions held strong from start to finish and the constant bombardment everywhere you went, it just never seemed to end. For what we’ve seen during this campaign, it was a season filled with everything what our country is against and nothing about relevant issues. My opinion, it became nothing better than an elementary school popularity contest at the beginning of the primary season and ending as a playground brawl when the final debates and the campaigning concluded. Sadly, as Americans we are the ones who got hurt and dragged through this whole ordeal by being subject to such cynicism and negativity between the two top candidates.

When I left through my door this morning, I knew I was going to do the right thing when I got to the precinct polling station. I believe, like all other Americans, I voted for the best candidate who best lined up with what I desire in our future. Many may criticize my choice and are ready to tell me how my choice will ultimately destroy our nation through selfish deals or a nuclear war and it retrograde us fifty plus years back into the past. I will continue to stand by your right to voice your opinion which can only be heard by your voting your choice or advocating for your beliefs. The aftermath of the election will speak simply and in volumes of the workings of our democracy and will allow us the right to voice our choice.

As tonight’s poll’s close, the anxiety levels of many have escalated beyond anyone’s expectations. Both those who we cheered and for those we jeered will ultimately leave one side elated while the other will be devastated. It is still imperative to note, our country is still great despite not always having the proudest history, we’ve always managed to progress and become a stronger nation. The elected President, will ultimately be the face of our country in front of a global audience. As Americans, we have a choice to make, to be one Nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all or we can be show we are not one nation united, but one nation divided and fail and be the laughed at by a global audience.

I challenge everyone the day after the election, to be a little kinder to your neighbor, co-worker or friend and to make the world a better place and bury the spew against someone who disagrees with you. Those of you defriending your friends on social media because of their political views, I hope it's only there and not in real time. I can only hope the bonds of friendship can last over time and not be tested with what was a difference in opinion. Find a way to pay it forward with kindness to all. Use your dissatisfaction or elation of the results of the election to continue to fight for your beliefs and actively participate and be an agent of change by sitting on various boards, committees etc of your political choosing and beliefs. After all, I’d like to believe we are first Americans and partisan second.

When we wake up tomorrow morning, history will have been made regardless of who wins. Wednesday morning will be like every other weekday morning, as if nothing changed. With a coffee in hand and hurry to go on with our routine, so we won’t be late to our next destination, our lives will go on pretty much the same. Then once we settle down into our daily grind, we can put our sparring arms down, heed to being a country who tolerates, respects and embraces diversity and then ultimately begin to heal as a nation. As I tuned in to watch the coverage of the election, I already heard talk about the next election season, leaving a nation soon forgetting the decisiveness and differences we just left behind. The only reminisce of 2016 will be the meritocracy and stories of what brought us together, leaving us right where we were last time this story was told, only the day before yesterday.

As for whom I voted for, well may be it’s the right person who is left and the one left will be the right one.

… now back to your regularly scheduled programming.

 

CASH PAYS MY BILLS BUT REINVESTING THE DIVIDENDS MAKES ME RICH

In my role as association payroll administrator for my YMCA I often equate it being that of housekeeper. As amusing as it may seem, the striking similarity between the two positions is rather uncanny. As long as people are paid accurately and timely, rarely does anyone ever acknowledge the payroll administrator. It is often a thankless job that has a rather routine, repetitious and mundane task which every two weeks starts anew.

The housekeeper with a predictable routine of mopping floors, cleaning windows and mirrors, dusting shelves and furnishings and keeping a facility clean, following a prescribed routine to ensue the entire facility is continually cleaned. Often these individuals are taken for granted as they blend in with the walls, floors and furnishings of the facility. Members, volunteers and staff often pass them without even an acknowledgement of a simple “Hello.” as they go about their business keeping our facilities as unsoiled despite the heavy wear and tear they face daily. Ironically, the moment something is found to have been missed or unclean, everyone all the sudden swarms the poor housekeeper to alert them of the item needing immediate attention. All of the sudden they become the most valuable player for Team YMCA, and not necessarily in the most popular way. Once the situation is remedied, the housekeeper retreats back to their unsung hero status and continue making their routine rounds without much fanfare.

Now back to my position as the payroll administrator… The moment someone’s pay is involved and is not what they expected, my phone rings off the hook and e-mails pop-up non-stop and supervisors charging into my office expecting answers of what went wrong in their employee’s pay. All of the sudden I am on stage and the main center ring, all eyes are on me today’s circus performance. Some staff will tell you I perform magic, feats of wonder and can pacify the wildest and loudest staff. Though I never claim to have any of these traits, I am pleased staff believe I do have these abilities. I was taught by my own mentors, honest mistakes, an error or even oversight are part of the human condition and are excellent teaching moments when developing staff. It takes a lot to upset me or make me stray from my calm and even-keel demeanor. Once the problem has been deescalated and resolved, I too, retreat back to my introverted self, going about my daily tasks. I am fortunate, I can retreat to my office and out of sight until the next show.

The first payroll of summer programs is always filled with dynamic energy. More than half the workforce of the association changes a combination of family centers, departments and jobs from the Friday after school ends to the immediate following Monday when summer programs begin. All program directors scurrying to make final changes to staffing structures, daily schedules and setting up for the first day of their programs and feverishly checking with human resources and payroll their staff are properly set up for proper positions, pay rates and program sites. Behind the sanity of their offices, the payroll and the human resource staff equally hurry to make final preparations of ensuring all the behind the scenes setups are seamlessly completed. At the blink of an eye, time is up and everyone is on stage for the first day of summer programs; families asking questions and dropping off participants, participants aimlessly wandering to their respective groups and staff familiarizing themselves with their names and new schedules.

On an ideally good year, the first pay day of the summer programs is the second Friday after the programs began. Supervisors have a full two weeks to complete their payroll timely and accurately and afforded the opportunity to make sure all positions, pay rates and program sites are all correct prior to approving their payroll. As a previous supervisor shared a career t-shirt’s slogan with me “my job as payroll administrator is to do precision guess work based on unreliable data provided by those of questionable knowledge.” I tend to agree with this, as my job relies heavily on other staff to process information presented to them by the staff and then process people’s pay based on the aforementioned premise.

Now that I have given you a visual of comparing my role as payroll administrator to a housekeeper, you are undoubtedly wondering what the comparison of these positions has to do about anything related to the YMCA or my journey. Even more so, when you look at the the title; cash, return on investment and dividend, I hope it stirs your thought process just a tad. The foundation of the analogy between the housekeeper and the payroll administrator brings to a point of a YMCA mission moment I encountered several years ago. My YMCA has been a recipient of a grant from a specifically designated taxing district to generate dollars for children’s programs. The grant, STEP (Supported Training and Employment Program) provides community based employment opportunities for high school students with disabilities as interns.

With the support of a job coach, the students are able to gain practical pre-employment skills such as interviewing, proper dress and hygiene and completing paperwork and ultimately being placed in an entry level job during a summer internship to learn specific job skills. As payroll administrator, I’ve seen many of these high students become interns every summer, as they come through the corporate office coming in to receive their pre-employment background and drug screens, complete on-boarding paperwork and finding out their job placement. While I work in my office, I hear the humming and chattering as they fill the office with their eagerness, excitement and enthusiasm. I always took a special note of these interns’ names and their job location.

Ok, ok, ok … back to my STEP interns…

Finally, pay day Friday has arrived. Current staff’s funds are direct deposited into their chosen bank accounts while new staff get checks. Checks received are mailed out to staff; however, this one occasion I held on to the checks of the STEP interns. I shared with my supervisor and their job coaches the importance to me, to have the ability to deliver their first pay check to their job sites to present it to them. For the majority of these students, this is their first job and I wanted to share and be part of the excitement and be able to present them their first pay check.

Each of the interns were excited to receive their first pay check; however, one in particular will always be one that will be unforgettable, engraved permanently to my heart. The student intern as described by his job coach,

“Jonathan was emotionally charged with ecstatic enthusiasm when he received his acceptance to the STEP Intern program for the summer.”

As the job coach went to get Jonathan from his task of impeccably lining up canned goods, with the labels ever so perfectly facing forward, I could hear him stomping down the grocery store’s aisle with excited anticipation of receiving his first paycheck. I felt I was seeing an animated character coming into reality, Jonathan, was filled with “can-do” attitude filled with enjoyment of pleasing both his job coach, employer and himself.

His job coach’s vivid, accurate description came to life once I met Jonathan. I was introduced to Jonathan as “the man who made sure you got paid for the work you do.” As I was preparing to present to his first paycheck he asked if he could do FACETIME™ with his Dad. I couldn’t refuse, as I didn’t want to diminish his spirits. Dad, unfortunately was not receiving the call and he proceeded to ask if he could try his Mom. His mom answered within two rings and Jonathan’s elation escalated to euphoria surpassing his excitement from a few moments ago. Mom spurred and added to the excitement of the moment. Before I knew it, I was fully entangled into this emotional milestone and celebrating along with Jonathan’s moment to shine for the next few minutes.

Walking away from the moment, I look over my shoulder only to see Jonathan, his Mother and his job coach continue their FACETIME™ as their faces become shadows, I fade away into the distance. This time, I didn’t have my office to retreat to but left Jonathan to savor his moment to be in the center ring. I was able to gracefully exit stage right and today’s paycheck may pay my bills but reinvesting the dividends will make me rich in ways wealth cannot measure.

Well, as to why compare it to a housekeeper? … because of lessons my parents imparted on to me as I began entering adulthood. While growing up and contemplating what I want to be, I was always pushed to do my best and take pride in all that I do. Take time to acknowledge and treat everyone with respect, irregardless of who they are. With a whispering reminder that even the housekeeper, working behind the scenes, is an important contributor to the greater good, as they go about their daily routine.

THE EXTROVERT IN ME: OPENING MYSELF IN SOCIAL MEDIA

🎼    80s rock/pop music,
🚴    bicycling,    
♟      board games,
🎳    bowling,    
🚣    canoeing/kayaking,
👨🏼‍💼    colleague,    
💬    conversationalist,
🍽    cooking/eat out,
📝    creative writer,
🎨    creative,    
🎒    day trips,    
📖    detail oriented,
💉    diabetic,    
🐶    dog lover,    
🕟    early bird,    
🎓    educated,    
🐊    Everglades & National Parks,
💻    geek,    
💯    genuine,    
😂    good laughs,
🥳    good times,    
🥇    humble,    
🇭🇺     Hungarian heritage,
🤓    nerdy/geeky,
🎬    Netflix/Hulu,
👨‍👨‍👦‍👦    new friends    
🚭    non smoker,    
👨‍👦‍👦    old friends,    
✅    open to new interests,
🗂    organized,    
🏕    outdoor activities,
🍝    pasta dishes
👔    professional 
🇺🇸    proud American,
🕣    punctual,    
📖    reading,    
🚗    road trips,    
🥃    rum drinker,    
🤔    ruminator,    
♐️    sagittarius,    
👦    son,    
✝️    spiritual,    
🍱    sushi,    
✈️    travel,    
🏋    workout partner,
📝    writer,    

Happy Emoji Day!