Today, I finally got to play out a scene I have seen a thousand times in a hundred different movies/TV shows.
(NO, it was not a passionate, earth-shaking-mountain-moving love scene with <insert your favorite hot actress’ name>)
Perhaps a little context will help here. As I mentioned in my last post, I unexpectedly was offered another position. Today was my last official work day at my current job. It was a hectic day with lots to do. Towards the end of the day, I finally had a brief moment to go through my drawers and gather my personal items. After a series of handshakes, hugs, goodbye’s, good-luck’s and keep-in-touch’s, it was time to leave. And as I walked out the front door of the building, I caught myself: “Hey, I’ve seen this in the movies before!”
I was walking out with that proverbial “box” in my hands.
Watching it on TV,I have always had questions about the “box”:
Why do the boxes always look the same?
Are they supplied by the company?
How come no one ever needed more than 1 box?
Why is there always a coffee mug and a picture frame that sticks out the box?
Now, walking across the parking lot, I finally experienced my own scene with “the box”. (Yes, it looked the same as all the other ones. Yes, I found it at the office. No, I didn’t need more than 1 box. Yes, I had a coffee mug inside and a picture frame sticking out the top.)
What surprised me was how little emotion I felt. I guess since my “ministerial” days, I have grown and come to a much healthier, simpler way of looking at my work. One with a much lower level of “personal attachment”. There used to be so many things I put in “the box”: What people thought of the job I did…Objects that tell me others recognized my work…Items that chronicled how long I have stayed, etc…
Today, I simply ask two questions of my work: (1) Did the workplace become a “better ” place from having me there? (2) Did I become a “better” person from having been there? If the answer is “yes” and “yes”, that is enough. Of all the things I may carry out in “the box”, that is the only thing that matters.
Got into the car after tossing “the box” into the trunk. Cell phone rang. “Daddy, mommy and I are packing for New York. When are you coming home?”
Box? What box? 
Whew! It’s been a crazy month with lots happened! Haven’t had a lot of time to reflect/write/post, but thought I’d throw a few words together to keep everyone posted on what’s been happening and what’s coming up …
A few weeks ago I was notified of a new position opening as manager of a new New Immigrant Welcome Centre. I wasn’t necessarily looking for another job, but thought the position was interesting so out of curiorsity I tossed my name into the hat and applied. I was convinced that they were looking for someone with a lot more management experience for such a position. Long story short, I was offered the job, VERY unexpectedly. So the past couple of weeks have been spent frantically trying to wrap things up at my current job. I felt REALLY badly about leaving my current agency at a time of need, but was encouraged by everyone’s kind words and well wishes. I was especially touched when one of the board members who has been away from the scene battling a serious illness for the past year sent me an email to wish me well. We have been in the middle of a transition process, moving to a new location and building a new funding base. I wish I had been able to see that process to completion. But I supposed there are times in life when you have to take comfort in knowing you did your best in moving things forward a step or two, and it will be someone else who will carry the load the rest of the way.
Musically there has been a few interesting opportunities too…tonight I am leading worship at a Chinese speaking Teens Conference. A good friend of mine just started as the pastor at a church and I will be guest worship leading there on Easter Sunday (WoooHooo!!) In April I will be performing at the next Solar Crash event, which is this coolest thing started by one of my coolest friends, Lon Wong. Check it out here: www.solarcrash.com In August I will be speaking/singing at a retreat for families with special needs children. Take a look at their website: www.campeulogia.com. In September I will be performing at the Annual General Meeting for a wonderful organization devoted to serve those with mental health issues in the Asian community. AND, thrown into this crazy mix…the writing/brewing has started for the next concert event…(!!)
Oops! Gotta run…first day of March Break and taking Taylor to an Arts and Crafts camp today!!
Post more later…
