According to The American Heritage Dictionary ...family is defined as such:
fam·i·ly (fămə-lē, fămlē) n. pl. fam·i·lies
1. a. A fundamental social group in society typically consisting of one or two parents and their children.
b. Two or more people who share goals and values, have long-term commitments to one another, and reside usually in the same dwelling place.
2. All the members of a household under one roof.
Now consider, if you will, MY definintion of "family".
You may be related by blood, to other human beings, but this is attributable to an "accident of birth", and certainly not by any conscious effort on your part. An accident of birth does NOT necessarily create a "family". (Look at the fatherless children in your own community; look at the mothers who neglect and abuse their children....you call THAT "family"??)
I consider my family to consist of several people, both blood, and non-blood related, individuals. The non-blood family members are sometimes held in higher regard, because I actually CHOSE them to be part of my "family". This is a distinction that is not given lightly! These members had to EARN my respect and high regard. These members were chosen because they have proven, on countless occasions, that they have MY bests interest at heart. There is never a hidden agenda or a self-serving "act" of generosity.
Then, on the other hand....I have "blood relatives" that I refuse to allow to cross my threshhold. These individuals cannot be trusted. THEY have proven, time and time again, that they are only out for themselves. They have no regard for me, or my possessions. They take what they want, when they want, and have no concern for how the loss will affect ME, financially or emotionally. The fact that I took these individuals into my home in times past, and gave generously of my time, attention, and money in an attempt to help improve THEIR current situation, obviously meant nothing to them. I am a kind-hearted person, and apparently, because of this, I was simply an easy 'mark'. Don't make the mistake of confusing my kind heartedness with weakness! I was made a fool of; I was used; I was cheated; and I was lied to.....repeatedly. WHY WOULD I STILL CONSIDER THESE INDIVIDUALS "FAMILY" ????? Please refer back to section 1., part b. of the above definition: "people who share goals and values, have long-term commitments to one another" I do NOT share goals or values with liars, theives, and cheats, therefore, I do not consider these types of persons my "family", regardless of bloodlines and DNA! And by the time I cut you out of MY family, my "long term commitment" to you has already been abused and exhausted! I am a christian. I believe that we are to forgive others. Even Jesus said that we are to "turn the other cheek".........but He never said what to do AFTER we have turned the other cheek! I forgive those who have wronged me in the past, but I am NOT duty-bound, by blood OR christianity, to allow them to CONTINUE misusing me!
In the Bible, Luke 18:22, Jesus tells us we are to forgive others "...until seventy times seven." So, being a christian, I will continue to forgive you for being a dumbass and constantly making bad choices & decisions for your life...I will forgive you these things...but I will NOT allow you to continue making ME the target of your transgressions. YOU are not my "family"...you were simply an accident of birth. Just as I can choose who I want to allow INTO my family.....I can also choose who I will NOT allow.
If this offends you....it is probably because you spend way too much time dwelling on what you perceive as your "rights" and "privileges"! The ONLY "birthright" you have is the promise of salvation by God. There is no other. I suggest to you, to get your head out of your ass and become a better person. Perhaps then, not only will the family you were BORN into accept you back into the fold, but you may find new "families" CHOOSING to make you a member, simply because you enhance their lives.
And if my words STILL offend you......GET OVER IT!!
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Friday, June 11, 2010
PET PEEVES!!!!!!
We all have them.....but some of mine, (that I thought were dead), have suddenly been resurrected!! GR-R-R-R-R!!!!
I work for a real estate management company. My job involves answering the phones and re-routing calls to the appropriate persons. I take roughly 45-55 calls per day on average. Some of these calls are from the on-site managers of our apartment complexes (we have 38 of them) Other calls are from perspective renters inquiring about details and cost. Still other calls are from actual tenants, already ensconced in one of the properties my company owns and manages. We have several single-family dwellings which are occupied. At some point in time, throughout the month, I talk to most of these people.
I have spent many, many years working in corporate America. I EXPECT (silly me!!) a certain amount of courtesy, consideration, and INTELLIGENCE!! Guess I need to back up...regroup....and remind myself that I am no longer working in the metropolis of our state's capitol. I am now working in "Hillbillie Hollow". Most high school graduates in this neck of the woods can spell their own names, and know enough grammar to "get by". But PHONE ETIQUETTE is a FOREIGN LANGUAGE!!!!
With nearly every call I take, the caller immediately launches into his or her script without so much as even stating their names or in any way identifying themselves. I don't need to know that you've just received an eviction notice..."in error" (yeah, right!) and you want 'someone' to "get this straightened out" for you. First of all.....we don't issue eviction notices on the spur of the moment. You have to be seriously delinquent in your rent to get one! Secondly...it would be of tremendous help to know WHO THE HELL ARE YOU?? and which of our complexes is evicting you?? And even after I repeat, several times, that we only take complaints IN WRITING, they continue to give me every nasty detail of the transgressions against them! (totally unjust, you understand!)
Then there are those callers who begin their conversation with..."Um, yeah, uh.....I was callin' about the ad in the paper??" OK, WHICH AD? WHICH PAPER?? WHAT DOES THE AD SAY? We advertise in several newspapers across three states!! I am NOT clairvoyant!
Many of these callers are calling from their cell phones, while driving. They call to inquire about rental properties we may have available.......yet, when I tell them I need to direct them to another number for further details, they tell me, "oh, I'm driving and can't write that down". They tell me they'll just "remember" the number......then without fail, nearly every single one of them calls me back within just a couple of minutes to say..."what was that number again??" And not only that, but if you're looking for a place to live...don't you want to write down pertinent information, like How much per month is the rent?....is there a security deposit?....are pets accepted, ect.?? They call to ask if we "have anything for rent"....but are in no way prepared to deal with whatever information I give them! Big wasted effort on MY part, as they will NOT be able to remember all the details, and can't write it down while driving. So, if you have to use your cell phone and make these important calls while driving........PULL OVER!!!!!!!!!! Spare the other drivers on the road your erratic driving!
And don't you just LOVE those automated calls that, once you've answered & identified your company and yourself.....you hear "Please hold for an important message" ....WTF?? I have more pressing business to attend to and have no intention of 'holding' for your crap!! If it were REALLY IMPORTANT....you would have put a HUMAN on the phone to make that call to begin with!!!
Oh, and you gotta love those callers who, upon my answering their call, they immediately shout, "George in?" Part of my job is to field calls....eliminating solicitors, cranks, and what not. George may actually BE IN THE OFFICE.....but you won't know that until I can tell George WHO YOU ARE and WHAT YOU WANT. George doesn't like "blind transferred" calls. I don't blame him. If you're just trying to sell us toner for our copier......WE DON'T WANT TO TALK TO YOU!
I especially like the calls that I KNOW are solicitors, simply because they ask for my boss, by name, but refer to her as "MR." She has one of those trans-gender names that works well for EITHER sex....but if you don't KNOW her, you don't know she's a female. When I tell them that MR. xxxxx is not in, and ask if I can take a msg., they refuse, insisting that they will just call back another time. GUESS WHAT?? You aren't going to reach her THEN, either! You STILL have to go thru me, and I'm onto you!
(OMG!! I HAVE BECOME ONE OF THE PEOPLE OF POWER!!!!)
You'll have to read my previous post "People Of Power" to appreciate this fact!
I work for a real estate management company. My job involves answering the phones and re-routing calls to the appropriate persons. I take roughly 45-55 calls per day on average. Some of these calls are from the on-site managers of our apartment complexes (we have 38 of them) Other calls are from perspective renters inquiring about details and cost. Still other calls are from actual tenants, already ensconced in one of the properties my company owns and manages. We have several single-family dwellings which are occupied. At some point in time, throughout the month, I talk to most of these people.
I have spent many, many years working in corporate America. I EXPECT (silly me!!) a certain amount of courtesy, consideration, and INTELLIGENCE!! Guess I need to back up...regroup....and remind myself that I am no longer working in the metropolis of our state's capitol. I am now working in "Hillbillie Hollow". Most high school graduates in this neck of the woods can spell their own names, and know enough grammar to "get by". But PHONE ETIQUETTE is a FOREIGN LANGUAGE!!!!
With nearly every call I take, the caller immediately launches into his or her script without so much as even stating their names or in any way identifying themselves. I don't need to know that you've just received an eviction notice..."in error" (yeah, right!) and you want 'someone' to "get this straightened out" for you. First of all.....we don't issue eviction notices on the spur of the moment. You have to be seriously delinquent in your rent to get one! Secondly...it would be of tremendous help to know WHO THE HELL ARE YOU?? and which of our complexes is evicting you?? And even after I repeat, several times, that we only take complaints IN WRITING, they continue to give me every nasty detail of the transgressions against them! (totally unjust, you understand!)
Then there are those callers who begin their conversation with..."Um, yeah, uh.....I was callin' about the ad in the paper??" OK, WHICH AD? WHICH PAPER?? WHAT DOES THE AD SAY? We advertise in several newspapers across three states!! I am NOT clairvoyant!
Many of these callers are calling from their cell phones, while driving. They call to inquire about rental properties we may have available.......yet, when I tell them I need to direct them to another number for further details, they tell me, "oh, I'm driving and can't write that down". They tell me they'll just "remember" the number......then without fail, nearly every single one of them calls me back within just a couple of minutes to say..."what was that number again??" And not only that, but if you're looking for a place to live...don't you want to write down pertinent information, like How much per month is the rent?....is there a security deposit?....are pets accepted, ect.?? They call to ask if we "have anything for rent"....but are in no way prepared to deal with whatever information I give them! Big wasted effort on MY part, as they will NOT be able to remember all the details, and can't write it down while driving. So, if you have to use your cell phone and make these important calls while driving........PULL OVER!!!!!!!!!! Spare the other drivers on the road your erratic driving!
And don't you just LOVE those automated calls that, once you've answered & identified your company and yourself.....you hear "Please hold for an important message" ....WTF?? I have more pressing business to attend to and have no intention of 'holding' for your crap!! If it were REALLY IMPORTANT....you would have put a HUMAN on the phone to make that call to begin with!!!
Oh, and you gotta love those callers who, upon my answering their call, they immediately shout, "George in?" Part of my job is to field calls....eliminating solicitors, cranks, and what not. George may actually BE IN THE OFFICE.....but you won't know that until I can tell George WHO YOU ARE and WHAT YOU WANT. George doesn't like "blind transferred" calls. I don't blame him. If you're just trying to sell us toner for our copier......WE DON'T WANT TO TALK TO YOU!
I especially like the calls that I KNOW are solicitors, simply because they ask for my boss, by name, but refer to her as "MR." She has one of those trans-gender names that works well for EITHER sex....but if you don't KNOW her, you don't know she's a female. When I tell them that MR. xxxxx is not in, and ask if I can take a msg., they refuse, insisting that they will just call back another time. GUESS WHAT?? You aren't going to reach her THEN, either! You STILL have to go thru me, and I'm onto you!
(OMG!! I HAVE BECOME ONE OF THE PEOPLE OF POWER!!!!)
You'll have to read my previous post "People Of Power" to appreciate this fact!
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