Attitude and Disappointment

How does one keep a positive attitude in the shadow of a huge disappointment? 

JRCC is in the middle of a huge...I mean, HUGE, transformation.  The Warden of 16 years took another position within the DOCR.   His vacancy left the door open for upward movement through the ranks.   We've recently hired (from within) a new Warden, Deputy Warden, Chief of Security, Unit Manager, new Captain, two new Lieutenants and two new Lieutenants. 

With all of those promotions comes both joy,  for those who received the promotions, and disappointment for those who were not fortunate to be promoted.

There are so many hard feelings running through the staff.  Why did "they" get it over me?  I've been here longer!  I've worked hard to get where I'm at!  What could I have done differently?  I deserved the promotion, they didn't.

I feel for them.  I do.   I wish everyone could come out on top.  But there are only so many positions and not everyone can win. 

For those that were promoted, I congratulate you.   I have opinions about some of those promotions, but will not voice them.   Time will tell whether the right decisions were made.   PERFORMANCE will confirm it.  

For those that were not promoted....I say this....take a long, hard look at yourself.  Were you really prepared for the interview?  Do you view each day as a learning experience.   Do you know the facility and the daily in's and out's or running it?  Or do you go through the day on autopilot and just 'put in the time'?   What can YOU do better each and every day when you report to the front gate?
Are you a negative nelly - always the first to play the blame game?  Or are you one to take charge and dig down deep and go that extra mile to help fix that which is wrong?  Are you quick to criticize and the last to applaud effort?  Are you really a team player when it counts?  Or do you have that sense of entitlement? 

Morale is low....there is a lot of negative vibrations going through the facility.  I'm doing what I can to bring morale up...but I'm only one person.   Small things mean a lot...true...but it's going to take a whole lot of small things to turn things around.   Management has a long road ahead of them.  Change, in any organization, is inevitable.   It's how that change is handled that determines the final outcome.

Attitude can make or break an organization or institution.  Let's hope it doesn't break ours.  We can't afford to show weakness in front of the inmates.  But I'm afraid that's already happened.

Happy Easter

It''s Easter Sunday and spring has finally sprung in ND...at least for today.   The temperature is a balmy 73 degrees with a 25mph wind.   Windows are open and I'm loving it.  

I cook dinner for my in-laws today.   Originally it was just going to be me, T and Ella but I invited Bill and Jackie yesterday.  I always make far too much food as it is so I knew I had plenty.  I haven't seen them since they came back from wintering in Arizona.  Ham, mashed potatoes and gravy, green bean casserole, burnt buns and orange dreamsicle jello soup (my jello wouldn't set).     Oh, and Angelfood cake with strawberries, glaze and whipped cream.

As I was slicing the store bought Angelfood cake, I remembered my mother.   Angelfood was her absolute favorite.   She used to make them from scratch and when she did, she'd make 4 or 5 at a time.  She didn't frost them or anything - it was just plain, no fuss, no muss.   When she was on kidney dialysis, us kids would treat her once in a while with a piece or two.  Her eyes would light up and her smile would grow wider.   She loved her Angelfood cake.    So today, I remembered my mom as I sliced the cake.   I smiled as I had my first bite and thought of her. 

After everyone left and T went out to look for arrowheads, I changed clothes and went for a bike ride.   I bought a mountain bike at Scheels on Thursday.  Why?   Why not?!   Since I cannot run anymore and the doctor said that riding bike would be good for my knee to keep it moving and to strengthen the muscle., I decided to purchase a bike and give it a shot.  

I took it for it's maiden voyage today.  It went pretty good.  I didn't fall off or go ass over tea kettle.   The gravel is a little tough to ride on though as the gravel stones threaten my forward motion.  lol   I'm going to have to find some prairie trails to ride so that I don't get thrown from my aluminum ride. 
I went 3 miles today.  It feels good...I can tell I am going to need a few accessories....bike gloves being one of them.  The grooves of the handlebars were cutting in to my hand.   Of course, perhaps it was the death grip I had on them that was the cause of the pain and not the grooves :)  I can tell already that I'm going to have fun on the bike...exploring and just getting out in nature.  Thursday nights, Friday nights and Saturdays and Sundays are going to be riding days.  

What's on deck for the upcoming week?  Yoga and gym...pretty much the story of my life.  

Have a good one everyone.  

Pearls of Wisdom

I received this in an email a long time ago and saved it.  I'd forgotten that I had it until I was looking through folders for something else.   I thought that I'd share it with all of you :)

a. take good care of yourself... oftentimes we think we should put our families and others ahead of us, but if we do that, then who would they rely on when we fall sick or aren't giving 100% because we don't have it to give? sleep good, eat healthy, dress well, exercise, meditate (prayer, quiet time, whatever... give your mind some 'away' time too). Not only does this give us the strength and energy to care for others, it is an excellent role model for our friends and families... people learn behaviors from watching not from listening. How many of us would tell our children 'do as I say, not as I do'... change that. Show them how you want them to be by
living it yourself.

b. speak positively - always - India Arie sings a song called 'Get it together' in which she says "because the words that come from your mouth, you're the first to hear. Speak words of beauty and you will be there. No matter what anybody says, what matters most is what you think of yourself" The idea is that whatever comes from you... comes out of you, originates from within. When we say something mean, or crude, or crass... when we swear... the ugly things that are uttered come from inside us and reflect who we are. Most of us are a lot better than that... show your best side when you speak - you do a disservice to yourself if you show anything less. Let go of those things inside you that are not who you really want to be, you are the master of your future... you own it, it's all yours. You write it. You make it. You do it. Blame no one else. Speaking positively all the time (or at least as often as possible) keeps your mind in a positive state, improves your mood, and improves the moods of those around you. There's not really a downside!

c. forgive yourself & forgive others - we are all human, fallible as a consequence of birth. We make mistakes. Sometimes the wrong that we do is intentional and then we regret it later. Carrying guilt around in your heart does you no good, nor does it benefit anyone else. There is no benefit to guilt, not even to one who tries to give it. If you are sorry for a wrong you've done, say you are sorry - not expecting forgiveness, only because you truly are sorry. Apologize and then walk away. If you are forgiven, great! If not, it is irrelevant. Is your apology contingent on it's acceptance? It shouldn't be. You are admitting a mistake, it's up to the other person to accept it or not, and that has nothing to do with you; you did your part, you said you were sorry... let the guilt go and be at peace. Dragging guilt around with you only weighs you down and holds you back. Don't do that to yourself, no one is going to save you from it. You have to let it go... and walk away.

d. laugh often, love much, forgive always (even if you don't forget - these are two totally different things) and choose to make some of your dreams happen, even if they are just little ones.

Changes

Seems like every day we are faced with change of some sort. 

Today the new warden of JRCC was a announced.   He's worked at the JRCC for 16 years.   I like him snd believe he'll do a good job.  But with the announcement comes realization of change within our office and the JRCC.  It should be interesting around here to say the least. 

Fasten the seatbelts and stay tuned.