Category Archives: The School of Hard Knox

Taxes, Constitutions and Law Abiding Citizens

by

2

Yes, today is officially the last day to get your taxes in the mail (which I think is funny, since we’re about to shut down how many US Mail centers? And that we can’t depend on the US mail to get our shit anywhere) – In fact, I opted to mail my return this year, when I normally file online, in the hopes that the US Mail will not deliver! More on that topic at a later date.

We’ve heard forever that the only thing certain in life is “Death and Taxes.” I wonder, just like the story of which came first the chicken or the egg, which comes first. I’m most certain that it’s taxes.

I hate paying income tax and if I could get away with it, I wouldn’t pay one. red. cent. I despise the whole process. I’ve heard of former employees of the IRS refusing to pay their income taxes once they leave their positions. I get that!

So, why do I do it? Especially if it’s not even something that I agree with and believe to be unconstitutional?

One simple reason: Because the government can make your life a LIVING HELL.

Which reminded me of some of our stupid rules at work that we may or may not agree with.

I used to be the proverbial “In Yo Face” gal in Corporate America that always pushed the envelope, always questioned the rules, etc. Until it bit me in the rear!

Going against the grain and always questioning authorities can come back to bite you.  Now I’m not talking about things that are down-right wrong and go against the core of our being. We should be able to speak out against those kinds of things. But I’m referring to always having to have the last say. To arguing about silly break room rules. Stuff like that.

If you find yourself disagreeing with every rule in the company, maybe it’s time to ask yourself “Is my core belief system being compromised by working here or am I just being an ass.”

If you’re just being a jerk, you may want to tone it down and chilax! Jobs are hard to come by right now. You have two options: Suck it up, or move on! I never did understand those that consistently complain and never make any changes. Those people just want to complain about something, I suppose.

With that in mind, I curse as I fill out that check to the IRS, lick the envelope and send off my blood money to the ones in charge cause I don’t want to be needlessly harassed. And I’m sure I’ll do it again next year. Or I’ll take all my money out of the local bank, sell my home and move into a rental, or I’ll move to another Country.

But if I decide to stay in THIS country, I’ll abide by the rules. Even if they rub me the wrong way.

Photo Credit: Toptenz.net

Leaders and Mentors in Retail?

by

0

Every Christmas when I’m wrapping gifts to put under the tree I can’t help but remember the first job I ever had.

I suppose because I was working for a couple of Japanese owners in their retail Asian Import store back in Alabama and I wrapped a lot of Christmas gifts. It never fails to take me back to that moment in time.

I was fifteen and I.knew.nothing.

I was scared to death to even walk up and greet the customers and I couldn’t wrap a package if my life depended on it. This particular job and my mentor owners would be something that would help me throughout my career and life, I just didn’t know it then.

I learned to interact and come out of my “somewhat introvert” shell. I learned to wrap gits like a super-sonic ninja and they were (and had to be) perfect before the customer left the store with their gift.

It was here where I first did any modeling. (I was a still model in the window wearing kimonos) and this would later be added to my resume for the modeling I did in my twenties.

I even had to have my appearance (clothes, hair and makeup) approved by the owner or she would send me straight into the bathroom for a redo. It was insane, or so I thought at the time.

I was this pissy kid who thought “how dare she try to tell me how to dress.” But I would give in and do it. And it paid off.

I had no idea that it was preparing me for so many things for the future. I worked there until I was 18 and moved away.

This training was crucial in preparing me for the real world of work and for the 10 years I spent traveling as a professional singer and musician.  This couple would periodically take all of the employees out to the local Japanese restaurant and were the ones who taught me how to eat with chop sticks – and that was way cool.

I always wanted to be able to tell my boss how grateful I was for taking me in and grooming me for life.

I had that wonderful opportunity a few years back at a local convention we both were participating in. She was so excited to see me, and to be able to tell me in her own words how proud she was of me for doing so well in my life and career. In fact, she quoted every newspaper article that had talked of me and my success with my music and with my sales career. She acted as if I was some sort of celebrity.

It made my day. I finally had the chance to thank her and that meant the world to me.

Sometimes when we are experiencing difficulty we can’t see past it and instead think we’ve just been given a raw deal.  Often we cut and run instead of sticking with it. I know I’ve done my share of that. Perhaps if we would buckle down, persevere, and determine to get past it we would come through it all having matured.

We never know what life may be trying to teach us.

Photo Credit: WanShop