National Boss's Day




We’ve all had that influential boss in our lives—or hopefully you will in the future. This kind of boss leads the way, refines your skills, and demonstrates how to get the job done, so you can learn to do it yourself. My first boss was the kind-hearted type that saw me as I was, but also must have seen what I could be eventually.


I’m one who learns through plenty of trial and error, so when it comes to complicated tasks, my boss must have needed extra patience with me. And it wasn’t as if there weren’t new things to keep learning, yet she was there for me, day after day, reviewing, encouraging, and at times doing it herself to make sure it was done correctly.


As I learned and developed skills, she seemed to inspire me to do more—take on more, and be responsible for more. But on many occasions, more than I am probably aware, she took the blame for my mistakes, my costly errors, and my actions that led to situations, that required her to take the shame for me.






When it was time for me to move on, she went from my boss to my mentor. Frequent calls and willing ears listened to my new challenges in a different job. Her advice was always free, and seasoned with the wisdom that comes from having been there and done that. 


I had my second, third, and fourth boss—and yet, my first boss was there to give me the level-headed direction to cope with each new one, and have me see it as an opportunity to learn about my skills, my ability to add to a business, learn how to work as hard as I should be, and then most important—treating customers honorably.






Since my work life began, I’ve cleaned homes, worked in retail, scooped ice-cream, delivered newspapers, and when it was finally time to settle in, I helped start a business. I really count it as a blessing that my first boss showed me the value of hard work and commitment. I wouldn’t have achieved what I did without her influence. 


So, as we celebrate National Boss’s Day, I recognize my first boss, my sister—who taught me so much, led the way, and then pushed me forward when I needed it. Thanks, Sis, you were called upon more than your fair share, with our mom away at school each day and Dad at work. You helped me land my first real job, and never wavered in your support of me. 




National Boss’s Day, which is celebrated every October 16th, began in 1958. It became nationally recognized a few years later.  There are 11 million American bosses—overseeing millions of workers. Over 65% of workers aspire to be a leader in their career—and it’s often the boss that helps them get there. Here’s to honoring our bosses!


And perhaps praying for our bosses in these challenging times. “I urge, then, first of all, requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for those in authority.” 1 Timothy 2:1



Popular posts from this blog

Counting the Cost

Image
Something big is missing in this photo. Let me explain. Here in my hometown, the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe prepared a parcel of land for a new hotel. Plenty of planning and architectural designs were evaluated. A gemstone of a hotel would be built across from the waterfront—a beautiful, restful place welcoming travelers. A true four-star facility.   They cleared the aging brick structures that had been fading away between Front Street and Railroad Avenue. Then the pandemic hit, shortages of labor and supplies, add in the costly inflation that followed. Everything stopped.   But this is what I admire about the Elwha Tribe: they have counted the cost. They didn’t want to move forward and take on tremendous debt. They would rather move slowly and be financially ready, rather than begin building and then letting it sit unfinished.   Counting the cost is something I should have done earlier in life when I didn’t know what high interest rates would do to our farming cost...
Read more

Summertime Music

Image
During the summer months, in an outside seating area, a delightfully painted piano sits with a sign that says, “Play me”.   It was just before 8 pm as I walked past the piano. My bus would be arriving soon, and I still have another ten minutes to walk before reaching my bus stop. But no one is around. It’s a beautiful warm evening. I pulled out the piano bench and sat down. The sun was behind me, and the piano keys reflected its glow. I had no music in front of me, only the songs within me. Notes drifted into the air.  In those brief moments, the magic of music and summer came together. Isn’t that how it is? Summertime music has a way of lingering in our minds and lasting a lifetime. As I stood and grabbed my things, I heard distant clapping—I guess I wasn’t alone, after all.
Read more

Planting Good Seeds

Image
Harvest will always depend on what we plant and how well we care for our crop.    Looking over my seed packets, I notice they’re different than the ones I planted before. One package is called Word seeds. The directions say that each of my words is a seed, so it cautions me to think before I speak. Harsh words don’t produce sweet, nourishing fruit. These seeds will require thoughtful care in the garden. I see some Volunteer seeds. Those extra hours I tend to fritter away are going to be planted in a useful project.   It looks like time isn’t wasted in this garden plot. Next are some Love seeds—the directions are interesting: get up each day and love others. No specifics are given—just do something for someone every day. The seed package shows pictures of smiling faces. I smile back. As I’m ready to head to the garden with my seeds, a package falls to the ground. I open it. Inside are the tiniest seeds I’ve ever seen—but the directions s...
Read more