Sometimes I have a real problem understanding how things work in our society, and wonder if it wouldn't indeed be easier if we all insisted on a work/life balance and honesty.
To not lead a family on who is open about the fact that they would love to grow, but have had a setback on the job front. To not expect limitless numbers of overtime for the good of the company who won't appreciate it anyway, especially not if you don't take work home.
This is a game I really don't want to play, I left the political commercials at home (one great benefit of being an expat), and life really is way to short to kill myself with work for a job that isn't even helping people or producing something that saves lives- it really isn't a life-changer if another widget isn't produced, is it?
This leads me back to the whole "What do I want to be when I grow up?!?" topic. A part of me is pretty sure that I will never really know. But one thing is for sure, once I pay off the education that got me here, I will be looking for a job where the overtime makes a difference and getting THAT widget off the production line really maters. For an added bonus, it would be excellent to have management that doesn't belittle the work you do put in, or make half-assed decisions that no one understands. But that might be asking for too much.
Politics are unfortunately everywhere.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Biodanza
I have recently taken up Biodanza.
At first, I knew absolutely nothing about it, although its description from the invitation from an international group I am in sounded pretty "hippie".
But for some reason, it sounded like something I had to do.
Completely unlike me, I didn't even Google it first, I just showed up! (I googled only later :) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biodanza)
Automatically I was greeted with hugs from most, more relaxed handshakes from others.
It felt like they wanted to really get to know me from the first moment onwards- something that isn't common in German culture.
It usually takes awhile to get people to warm up to you- and it certainly isn't a given.
The introduction our teacher gave (in English too, as one of our group can't speak German) had me a little worried, even more so than when I realized that we were going to be dancing barefoot!
But the dances- however unexpected and "unusual" seemed to release all of my work stress and let me concentrate on me and letting the movements be me and bond with other people in the group.
In short, I am now a Biodanza junkie!
I haven't had such a cozy group feeling- like people really take me as I am- since my years in the youth group back in the US.
Only after attending did I realize how I truly missed this closeness that comes so quickly in American friendships- but this is something that doesn't feel like it will fade overnight as those quick "BFF" American moment sometimes do.
I think next time I will tell the group again how much their openness and true care has helped me feel even more at home here, even after so many years and adaptations to the culture.
In the past few weeks, I really feel like it is this and Broom that has kept me from giving in to the Burnout symptoms I've been having and put everything in perspective.
Thank goodness for whims!
At first, I knew absolutely nothing about it, although its description from the invitation from an international group I am in sounded pretty "hippie".
But for some reason, it sounded like something I had to do.
Completely unlike me, I didn't even Google it first, I just showed up! (I googled only later :) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biodanza)
Automatically I was greeted with hugs from most, more relaxed handshakes from others.
It felt like they wanted to really get to know me from the first moment onwards- something that isn't common in German culture.
It usually takes awhile to get people to warm up to you- and it certainly isn't a given.
The introduction our teacher gave (in English too, as one of our group can't speak German) had me a little worried, even more so than when I realized that we were going to be dancing barefoot!
But the dances- however unexpected and "unusual" seemed to release all of my work stress and let me concentrate on me and letting the movements be me and bond with other people in the group.
In short, I am now a Biodanza junkie!
I haven't had such a cozy group feeling- like people really take me as I am- since my years in the youth group back in the US.
Only after attending did I realize how I truly missed this closeness that comes so quickly in American friendships- but this is something that doesn't feel like it will fade overnight as those quick "BFF" American moment sometimes do.
I think next time I will tell the group again how much their openness and true care has helped me feel even more at home here, even after so many years and adaptations to the culture.
In the past few weeks, I really feel like it is this and Broom that has kept me from giving in to the Burnout symptoms I've been having and put everything in perspective.
Thank goodness for whims!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)