logic v. gut

How does one trust oneself when outside messages interfere with our ability to listen to ourselves?

I have never had a problem in finding my intuition when it comes to personal life, but professional life is another matter.

There has been a time when every interview brought fright and every rejection brought frustration. The uncertainty continued until I found my true calling. Then, all of a sudden, it was as simple as listening to myself.

*****
Whether it is knowing when to start pushing my injured knee or how to maneuver at work, it is just about freeing my inhibition and let the intuition do the decision. After all, having faith in what is meant to be is the purest form of bliss.

what I learned today

Work is so amazing right now because the challenges are bigger than anything I have ever faced before. It's not just the technical challenges, but observing how all the big boys conduct themselves.

Sometimes the childishness of my colleagues makes me feel like a babysitter, and it makes me question if this world will encourage me to embrace this demanding culture.

*****
Today, I witnessed of how two men tried to control one another in a conference call. Why was the consultant acting dumb when we all know that his English is excellent?

It was all about respect. Without respect, you cannot expect cooperation, no matter how much money is at stake. It is all about giving and taking. Seems simple, but people forget when they are under pressure.

*****
Slowly, work is taking over, and maybe I want it to because nothing else has been this fulfilling. Never before has all my efforts been so rewarded. I cannot wait to get up and go to work tomorrow!

look at me

The other day, I was waiting for the signal along Howard by Hawthorn Lane in SF. Funny, one time I had my birthday party at the club near this corner, and I just told people that it was across from The Gold Club, a gentleman's club.

That day, I happen to be waiting around 715pm, and the night shift must start at 8. One by one, the "girls" arrive and pull their cars up to the valet. It was funny because all three that I observed did not look particularly attractive as they had little or no makeup on and were very casualy-dressed.

Then there was me, in my power suit, walking to my car from a political fundraiser for a local supervisor.

In that moment, I felt very, very lucky. Lucky because my work day was over, while these girls were about to starting working. Because I didn't depend on tips for a living. And mostly, because my career is just starting while the women at the club that night will probably not be working there in another five years.

Originally, this blog was about dating, but as I looked around, I realized that dating is no longer as important. In fact, my life is about the world around me. In the end, I am not all that significant because I covet and live a happy, simple life. J the self-absorbed one signing off.

the possibilities

I know a few women who are on this mission to get married before they turn 31. The race down the aisle is blinding them to all the great catches along the way. Sure, Mr. Player may not be the right person to marry right now, but he can be so fun that he just might be the perfect life partner in a year or two.

Finding the one is all about investing enough time in the situation early on. Rather than measuring this person against preconceived standards, enjoy the dating process and let people reveal themselves.

Perhaps the biggest reward about dating and having fun is the change within. Being open to date people who are different has shaped the way I look at the world. I never embraced traveling until I dated someone worldly. I appreciate certain sports because some men took me to those live events for the first time years ago.

Yes, some women will continue their hunt for the right man in their focused manner. Too bad, because it's a blast getting to know all the possibilities out there...

listen to me!

The biggest lesson I am learning from work also applies to dating - listening.

Having worked in public, private, nonprofit arenas, there is one thing that everyone is looking for - a good listener.

It seems so obvious now, but the culture around us discourages taking the time to listen. Between our fast food, packed schedules and lack of sleep, how will we be able to figure out what people want?

Being quite opinionated myself, I am slowly digesting the need to inject more listening skills into my dating life. What? Not talk over you and not respond to everything you are telling me. Hum? I can just hear the snickering...