If Current Events Ever Distract You at Work
Current events can sometimes distract us as we try to go about our business every day. That's one reason I avoid watching or even listening to "the news" most of the time. I can stay aware of current events without subjecting myself to long sessions of listening or watching those stories the media panders.
However, every once in a while, an incident or news story does emerge that can seem or feel really important. Our current President, for example, seems to have a knack for eliciting strong feelings and intemperate comments. While I generally avoid mixing politics with business, I'm especially vigilant in avoiding comments or references to Trump at work. Too many people find it hard to talk about the man and his policies in any even vaguely rational way. Conversation usually devolves into ranting on one side, defending on the other, and venting all around. Who needs it?
Besides our President, there's always immigration and the latest: trade wars. Of the two, immigration's the bigger lightning rod. People tend to have strong opinions and feelings about the subject. My experience: Such opinions are rarely shaped by anything close to a rational, thoughtful process. The resulting feelings reflect this. I'd tread carefully here.
Trade wars, on the other hand, may actually directly impact your business. Less emotional than Trump and immigration, this one may allow for a somewhat rational exchange without eliciting extreme emotions.
If Donald Trump, immigration, and trade wars don't completely fill your current events bucket, there's always Pope Francis. While most of his words and actions fly under the radar screen of non-Catholics, his latest has hit a nerve: the death penalty. He's deemed it "inadmissable" (whatever that means). He's even changed the Catechism to reflect his view. While the change to the Catechism and the ancillary issues associated with that action raise troubling issues for Catholics, many non-Catholics have weighed in with reactions ranging from "Bravo!" to "You must be kidding!" (or worse). This may have popped up at the water cooler already. If it hasn't, don't be surprised if it does. If you're Catholic, and everyone knows it, you may be put on the spot to respond. (Of course, if the media stops reporting on this, as they typically do after a few days with most stories, it's likely "out of sight, out of mind" for most people by now.)
When what's going on in the big wide world creates some sort of distraction, I try to refocus and simply get on with the task at hand. Running a small business with no employees makes it easier to do this than when I worked for a large company in an office surrounded by many colleagues. But even then, aside from the brief polite social interactions encouraged in a collegial environment, I would get down to work pretty quickly each morning and just do my job.
In addition to just getting busy with your work, you might consider keeping current events in perspective with the following verses from Psalm 32. Whether it's Trump, immigration, trade wars, the Pope, or any other controversy that ruffles your feathers or fosters lively exchanges at work, nothing can hold a candle to what God hath wrought.
By the word of the Lord the heavens were established; and all the power of them by the spirit of his mouth: Gathering together the waters of the sea, as in a vessel; laying up the depths in storehouses. Let all the earth fear the Lord, and let all the inhabitants of the world be in awe of him. For he spoke and they were made: he commanded and they were created. The Lord bringeth to naught the counsels of nations; and he rejecteth the devices of people, and casteth away the counsels of princes.
Government policies (the "counsel of nations"), politicians' machinations, pronouncements of presidents and popes pale in comparison.
But the counsel of the Lord standeth for ever: the thoughts of his heart to all generations. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord: the people whom he hath chosen for his inheritance. The Lord hath looked from heaven: he hath beheld all the sons of men. From his habitation which he hath prepared, he hath looked upon all that dwell on the earth. He who hath made the hearts of every one of them: who understandeth all their works.
Discussing events and criticizing the players involved is one thing. But consider praying for our country and our leaders. Remember: "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord." The effect of current events and politics pale when held up to the power of prayer.
The king is not saved by a great army: nor shall the giant be saved by his own great strength. Vain is the horse for safety: neither shall he be saved by the abundance of his strength. Behold the eyes of the Lord are on them that fear him: and on them that hope in his mercy. To deliver their souls from death; and feed them in famine. our soul waiteth for the Lord: for he is our helper and protector.
And as for our Church, its leaders, and, most especially, Our Holy Father, when we're dismayed or scandalized by what we see and hear, remember that our hope is always in the name of the the Lord.
For in him our heart shall rejoice: and in his holy name we have trusted. Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, as we have hoped in thee.
However, every once in a while, an incident or news story does emerge that can seem or feel really important. Our current President, for example, seems to have a knack for eliciting strong feelings and intemperate comments. While I generally avoid mixing politics with business, I'm especially vigilant in avoiding comments or references to Trump at work. Too many people find it hard to talk about the man and his policies in any even vaguely rational way. Conversation usually devolves into ranting on one side, defending on the other, and venting all around. Who needs it?
Besides our President, there's always immigration and the latest: trade wars. Of the two, immigration's the bigger lightning rod. People tend to have strong opinions and feelings about the subject. My experience: Such opinions are rarely shaped by anything close to a rational, thoughtful process. The resulting feelings reflect this. I'd tread carefully here.
Trade wars, on the other hand, may actually directly impact your business. Less emotional than Trump and immigration, this one may allow for a somewhat rational exchange without eliciting extreme emotions.
If Donald Trump, immigration, and trade wars don't completely fill your current events bucket, there's always Pope Francis. While most of his words and actions fly under the radar screen of non-Catholics, his latest has hit a nerve: the death penalty. He's deemed it "inadmissable" (whatever that means). He's even changed the Catechism to reflect his view. While the change to the Catechism and the ancillary issues associated with that action raise troubling issues for Catholics, many non-Catholics have weighed in with reactions ranging from "Bravo!" to "You must be kidding!" (or worse). This may have popped up at the water cooler already. If it hasn't, don't be surprised if it does. If you're Catholic, and everyone knows it, you may be put on the spot to respond. (Of course, if the media stops reporting on this, as they typically do after a few days with most stories, it's likely "out of sight, out of mind" for most people by now.)
When what's going on in the big wide world creates some sort of distraction, I try to refocus and simply get on with the task at hand. Running a small business with no employees makes it easier to do this than when I worked for a large company in an office surrounded by many colleagues. But even then, aside from the brief polite social interactions encouraged in a collegial environment, I would get down to work pretty quickly each morning and just do my job.
In addition to just getting busy with your work, you might consider keeping current events in perspective with the following verses from Psalm 32. Whether it's Trump, immigration, trade wars, the Pope, or any other controversy that ruffles your feathers or fosters lively exchanges at work, nothing can hold a candle to what God hath wrought.
By the word of the Lord the heavens were established; and all the power of them by the spirit of his mouth: Gathering together the waters of the sea, as in a vessel; laying up the depths in storehouses. Let all the earth fear the Lord, and let all the inhabitants of the world be in awe of him. For he spoke and they were made: he commanded and they were created. The Lord bringeth to naught the counsels of nations; and he rejecteth the devices of people, and casteth away the counsels of princes.
Government policies (the "counsel of nations"), politicians' machinations, pronouncements of presidents and popes pale in comparison.
But the counsel of the Lord standeth for ever: the thoughts of his heart to all generations. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord: the people whom he hath chosen for his inheritance. The Lord hath looked from heaven: he hath beheld all the sons of men. From his habitation which he hath prepared, he hath looked upon all that dwell on the earth. He who hath made the hearts of every one of them: who understandeth all their works.
Discussing events and criticizing the players involved is one thing. But consider praying for our country and our leaders. Remember: "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord." The effect of current events and politics pale when held up to the power of prayer.
The king is not saved by a great army: nor shall the giant be saved by his own great strength. Vain is the horse for safety: neither shall he be saved by the abundance of his strength. Behold the eyes of the Lord are on them that fear him: and on them that hope in his mercy. To deliver their souls from death; and feed them in famine. our soul waiteth for the Lord: for he is our helper and protector.
And as for our Church, its leaders, and, most especially, Our Holy Father, when we're dismayed or scandalized by what we see and hear, remember that our hope is always in the name of the the Lord.
For in him our heart shall rejoice: and in his holy name we have trusted. Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, as we have hoped in thee.
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