THREW Mikes EyEz

Original Writings, Images, Video and Artworks of Mike Hartley

Thinking

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My mind a swirl of thoughts. So many, I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed at times. Concern for loved ones. Thoughts about my job and future. Trepidation about things opening up again. Worry about the future of our country.

Sometimes I find the video meetings make me miss my friends even more. My mind keeps wandering to what we could do to safely meet, but that would be painful also because everything that is important to us like that firm handshake and hugs and high five or wrestling around would be lost.

I worry about having to make a decision on vacation this year. But then I think about being thankful that I might be able to take and afford a few days.

Which lead me to my next thought. What if I don’t have a job that will last me till I’m ready to retire. So I’m thinking about what I might be able to do if that were to happen. In some ways its very exciting and other ways very terrifying. One because of my age, mid-’60s will certainly hold me back. And of course, with so many others losing their jobs it’s going to be a crowded field of competition.

I’m not afraid of competition, but the realities of it at this stage lead me to think I might be at a disadvantage. So I’ve been thinking for myself on what opportunities I could begin on. With the world changing so fast now, there are certainly a ton of people thinking about the next big thing or the next big needs and how to fill them.

One thing that energized me was watching some of the spirits of the 2020 grads. It also got me thinking about offering some mentoring but then I started to doubt my worth in doing something like that. Then I thought, well I’ve never been unemployed so I must have some skills. I’ve worked for a very small, medium-sized, and large company. I’ve worked in production, technical, sales, management, and even an owner in companies. I’ve learned a lot along the way also.

I’ve learned a lot about people and management styles. Working as teams and individuals, drawing people’s skills and ideas out. I’ve learned financial responsibility. I’ve learned a ton about communications which is one of the most important things to a company in so many different ways.

I’ve started to rethink a lot of things. In some ways, I don’t want to fully return to what was normal before. I’m not saying I like or would welcome the death, illness, or trouble that it has caused for so many by this virus. I’m saying I’ve got my priories in better order now. Making life and death decisions will do that for you even if it’s as simple as staying at home. Cancer did that for me a few times over the last decade also.

So I’m thinking and thinking about how to bloom like these flowers in the sun.

Photo by Mike Hartley

Random Thoughts of the Day

  • It’s going to be strange when I start going out again to have someone point a “name your price tool at my forehead for a temp check.”
  • I feel guilty when I don’t post every day. Sort of like I’ve wasted an opportunity.
  • I was thinking how the education system has changed so drastically in such a short time but the real changes are yet to come I believe. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we all could share in the teaching?
  • I’m tired of people who use knowledge for power instead of sharing it.
  • It might be good for children and adults to know that to gain the knowledge you desire, you have to get busy doing something.

Author: Mike Hartley

With a lifetime and a half in the Newspaper industry I'm preparing for my retirement career as an Artist, Writer, Photographer and Video content provider. I'm a proud father of two wonderful children and I'm still married to the first girl I fell in love with and probably only one that would have me.

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