Be Your Own Boss

One thing all GOOD bosses have in common is control.  It may be loose or tight.  It might be that they are ever-present and up in your mix, or they might just call to check in.  Some measure success by the outcome of the employee's labor.  Whatever the style, a good boss is able to direct activity to acheive desireable results.  There is always a goal in mind, whether they choose to disclose it or not.
When we are young we have pipedreams of being a doctor, lawyer, teacher, fire-fighter, parent....  Have you ever heard of a young person who plans to beg on a street corner for money to feed a family?  Ever hear anyone who plans to become an inmate at prison or just a rogue traveller, walking from town to town doing odd jobs to get by?  There may be some, and they will likely succeed.
For the most part, people want to find fulfillment and even happiness in life by achieving some particular goal. 
I suggest that you start early, keep it in mind, and plan you activities around it.  It's about balance and focus, even if there is variance in the plan, make sure you are moving the right direction.
At this point, when life is just unfolding, you may have more control than you think.  Self control is the most difficult, but most satisfying claim you can make.  Know that the thing you do today can keep you on track or throw you off for tomorrow.  It is very possible to maintain self control, even when you must serve some one else.  Choose to be in control, even when some one else is the manager.

Recently a young, female acquaintance was home for the holiday from college.  She is brilliant, in my mind, soaking in some very difficult classes and learning to speak Japanese... she seems born to educational greatness.  Then I noticed that she was home for quite a long time and I was curious about why she wasn't going back to school.  She explained that considering the current economic downturn she thought it best to concentrate briefly on learning a skill that would see her through difficult times as a back up plan, and might earn her some money while she continued her education.  She was taking a semester off of college to learn massage therapy.  What a very cool and serene perspective. 

In essence she was finding a couple of baskets in which to place eggs.  Like I said, brilliant!  I wish I knew then what I know now, and had the foresite to plan for the unexpected.  It is a lesson in two parts.  First, good fortune favors those who properly prepare.  Second, it is not too early to start.

Little Things Mean A Lot

My family moved to a suburb of Detroit recently.  In fact it is the burb that stands between some very run down areas of Detroit and the five Grosse Pointe Communities, which stand in stark contrast to the city proper.  What I have noticed since moving in is that the teenagers seem to take avid interest in the welfare and welbeing of the community.  I can't say thais is a result of good summer programs, good parenting, good education or just luck, but it is very easy to treat these teens like the young adults they are. 
One young man I know has been involved with scouting since he was very young and his father participated with him in that activity.  He makes it to church regularly, even toting his Bible with him, which seems somewhat of a novelty even for church folks.  All of this made him a person to be aware of.  He was a very apparent character.
But I was still suprised to see him volunteering at the elementary school fund raiser we attended for my six year old.  I was even a little suprised to see that he was the same character when he was with his high school friends.  I guess I shouldn't be suprised.  He can't possibly realize the impression he made on me that day, nor on my daughter who was delighted to see some one there that she knew.
I cannot remember the exact quote, but some one defined character as "who you are when no one else is watching."  How true?  Wouldn't it be a marvel if we could all just be ourselves, and in doing so, be impressed with each other.
Little things can mean a lot and you never can tell how far reaching the effects of some small kindness may go.