End of an Era

Today on the last day of 2009 marked the end of an era in the company where i work. Co-workers, many who had worked 10, 15, 20 years or more bid farewell as they left their jobs. Some took early retirement, others took an early leave package - the majority were strongly "nudged" into going. Many would be taking a short break before once going out into the work force and trying to find another job. After so many years at this company they will likely find it difficult, kind of like being married for so many years and then all of a sudden having to go out in dating world again. It's all so different and uncomfortable, you no longer have the hang of it and are lacking in flirting skills. About 2% of those leaving were giddy with joy at the chance to start over and do what they've always dreamed of - writing, starting their own business, staying home with small children, etc., but most were angry and bitter. Although i am grateful that i wasn't tapped on the shoulder with the suggestion to take an offer, i kind of envy the ones that are leaving. They will have several months to really explore what they want to do and have an opportunity to change their lives completely if they so desire. What would i do if i had been given this chance? the possibilities are endless and therein lies my problem - i could seriously put forth strong efforts to get my own business going, pursue a different career entirely or even move to another country.

well who knows what 2j010 will bring and once the dust settles they could still come around and tap on my shoulder -- of course this time the package to leave will probably not be quite as nice -- knock on wood and i'll hope for the best. Happy new year everyone and may 2010 brings us all prosperity and the answers to our life dilemmas.

A Genius Lesson

My sister sent me the following in an e-mail and i thought i would post here as well.

An economics professor at a local college made a statement that he had never failed a single student before,
but had once failed an entire class.
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That class had insisted that Obama's socialism worked and that no one would be poor and no one would be rich, a great equalizer.
The professor then said, "OK,
we will have an experiment in this class on Obama's plan".
All grades would be averaged and everyone would receive the same grade so no one would fail and no one would receive an A.
After the first test, the grades were averaged and everyone got a B.
The students who studied hard were upset and the students who studied little were happy.
As the second test rolled around, the students who studied little had studied even less and the ones who studied hard decided they wanted a free ride too so they studied little.
The second test average was a D!
No one was happy.
When the 3rd test rolled around, the average was an F.
The scores never increased as bickering,
blame and name-calling all resulted in hard feelings and no one would study for the benefit of anyone else.
All failed, to their great surprise, and the professor told them that socialism would also ultimately fail because when the reward is great, the effort to succeed is great but when government takes all the reward away, no one will try or want to succeed.
Could not be any simpler than that.