Dedicated to a man I have known for many years who has worked in true honesty and grown as a human being. An inspiration of what a person can achieve. A man I am honoured to have as a friend. – To Dion.
Currently I am engaged by a company to help, assist and support the work crew. It is a very difficult project and not one was is within the norm. To travel from floor to floor one must summon the lift driver through two-way radio, announce the floor which they are on and advise of which way they are going. The lift driver will then respond making them aware that they have heard their call and will attend to them. A simple but effective process. I myself use the lift quite often using the same process. The gentleman in the lift is a very humble man who is grateful for a work placement and does his utmost best to do a good job especially at some times where there could be a vast amount of people calling at the same time.
Level 1 up, Level 10 down, 4 up please, ground floor ground floor, 11 down, level 15 up, ground floor ground floor, level 13 level 13, 17 down 17 down, GROUND FLOOR GROUND FLOOR!!!
Look back and read the list of floors that were called. Highlighted and standing out is a call over the two-way radio of someone who seems to be in an urgent rush on ground floor and is calling out as though there is an emergency or does not have any patience. Are they in that much of a rush, or is it an emergency as they didn’t announce a situation where immediate attention is required? Is it that important that they get the lift immediately? Do they merely lack the understanding that the lift driver is doing his best and attending to everyone as best as he can? Or is it something else?
From early childhood to our teenage years when we are given a task to do by either a parent or teacher such as homework, we are conditioned to do the task as fast as we can. Especially when it comes to household chores and homework. The quicker we do this task the quicker we got to run wild in the streets and play. Moving into early adulthood we then entered TAFE, University or the workforce. In all these scenarios again, we have a schedule and time placed for different activities from working to study and so forth. Once again moving forward as our life progresses and generally in the workforce, we have deadlines, programs to meet. Run home, pick the kids up, sport, tutoring, shopping and the list goes on and on as each individual creates their own life.
We are conditioned especially at our work place that we are to not stop working or thinking about work as there is always something to do. We condition ourselves to do this as it is what we come to believe what is the expected. This is not a bad thing. But I ask you what is really happening with the person who is on ground floor repeatedly calling out to the lift driver. As previously mentioned, it is not an emergency as he did not call it as one. Impatient, yes could be. But this is a very common behaviour which I noticed.
Whilst waiting for the lift the very unimaginable is happening to these individuals. They have down time to think. They are left alone with only themselves and their thinking and thoughts. Thoughts from the past, present and future. We go to work not only to provide for us and our loved ones. We go to work so we do not have to be left alone to think and have our own personal and sometimes haunting thoughts. The impatient and sometimes arrogant individuals calling over and over for the lift to pick them up so they can carry on working and complete their task is not the case. This individual is crying out – PLEASE HURRY UP AND GET ME, I AM BY MYSELF AND I HAVE TO WAIT, AND IN THIS WAITING TIME I AM BEEN TOTOURED BY MY MIND AND IT’S THINKING.
In moments and times where we get caught with down time can be very unfamiliar to us and also fearful. These times and moments I suggest to all to embrace. Train and condition your mind to move towards fulfilling thoughts. No, not of candy, fairy floss or flowers. Unless you would like to. Maybe of thoughts of finishing work and seeing your children, wife or partner. Thoughts of coming events you are looking forward to. Stand or sit for a moment and be comfortable in how you are feeling and what emotions you have at the time. Recharge your exhausted self. Be kind to yourself in your thoughts.
We will always have thoughts and think for as long as we are alive. We do this continuously from the moment we wake and also during our sleep as dreams. Befriend them. Make them and demand that they be yours to control. Condition them to be strong and powerful in a positive way just as you would condition your body at the gym.
A very great friend and mentor of mine Ashley Jones has said to me on a number of occasions a few things. Firstly, the lucky ones go to work to add value in other people’s lives and to be a part of something bigger than themselves. Secondly, whenever in discussion with Ashley regarding work he also brings up and mentions, as Confucius say “Find a job you enjoy and you never work a day in your life.” Last but not least he has some words which ring true and when mastered will help with your harmony, “You can often be alone but never lonely.”
A person who is left alone with only his thoughts and in this moment has no anxiety or does not feel anxious in this moment is a person who is at peace.
John Rahme