An "It's a Small World" Mentality in a Big, Grown-up World
or "I Don't Wanna Grow Up" (But Maybe I Have No Choice)

As a child, I always thought that, when I became an adult, I was still going to do the same things I did then, with the added bonuses of having a car and driving, getting married and having kids, all while continuing to depend on my parents for everything. (Naturally, I didn't consult my parents on the last part- I just assumed that it would be OK with them.) I wasn't going to change- I was just going to get older and taller, with no reponsibitlities to worry about.

Of course, over the years, that mentality has changed- quite a bit. As I've grown up, I realize just how much responsibilty there is in actually being an adult. You have things to do: working, paying the bills, laundry, cleaning, grocery shopping, etc. And you can no longer act like a child. Plus, there's all the emotional stuff that we, as adults, must deal with: life, death, relationships, life's little ups and downs, knowing who we are and what we want. It's a big world out there, with a lot of problems and challenges! And, unlike a child, we can't go hiding behind Mommy or Daddy, knowing that they're going to save us.

So what do we do about it? Well, honestly, most of us have one of two reactions: we either whine about our "lot in life", wondering why it can't be any easier, or we freak out and shut down. (I've always been the freak out kind.) Very few of us always do what we should do in the first place, and that is to go to God.

When we do go to God, the whole world seems so much brighter, and, while it's not easier, it's better and we know that we can bear anything that happens. We learn that it's not what life throws at us, but how we react to it that matters. And it's all by the grace of God that He is patient enough with is to be there and help us learn that lesson- or series of lessons, if needed. Eventually, if we follow the Father, we discover that the world really isn't as big as it seems, not where God is concerned. He's way bigger than anything we could go through, and there's nothing He can't handle! If we let him, He'll get us throught it all, and take us on an amazing journey while we're at it. He's the one that will help us grow up- the way that He desires.

We also learn that there is much wisdom in a cheezy Disney song. Come on everybody, sing along!

"It's a world of laughter, a world of tears,
It's a world of hopes and a world of fears.
There's so much that we share,
that it's time we're aware
It's a small world after all!
It's a small world afterall!
It's a small world afterall!
It's a small world afterall!
It's a small, small world!"

"Earning My Ears"

That's what the ribbon on my Disney nametag said. I wore it until I was done with my training- and I ended training officially last Thursday. (I wore the ribbon until last night.)

So, how's it going? Well, the work is still hard, that I know what I'm doing (for the most part), it's gotten better. And I'm starting to make friends at work. In fact, I spent Tuesday morning at Epcot with four of them.

I'm still working long hours for the most part, and am having a hard time getting a couple of days off (they keep saying that my request has been "denied"- and that's a month in advance). However, I understand that the labor office is not giving anyone time off right now (besides their one day off). I have a manager that usually tries to work things out for us though.

All I can say is; those ears- they'd better be big ones.

The Pollyanna Mentality

Working for Disney is just what it sounds- working for Disney. The work is very hard and tiring; at times, just plain exhausting. For Disney expects perfection. They have exthremely high standards, that, at times, seem absolutely inpossible to live up to.

I admit, I have been very discouraged lately, and there have been days that I just felt like I could not go on any further; days that I just wanted to quit the program and come home early. I've had a couple of really bad days, and some really long days. I've even cried a couple of times.

However, I am trying something very radical- being thankful for everything. I have made it my goal to find at least one thing to be grateful about every day, whether I'm going to work, or resting at home, or playing in one of the parks, or doing my laundry, or shopping. No matter what it is that I am doing, I have to find one thing to be thankful about. I tried it today, and, you know what? My day went alot better! And I took the whole thing one step further- anytime I stared to grumble about my job, I thanked God for something.

A friend told me that that was a very "Pollyanna-like" way of thinking.

I know it's not always going to be easy. But, if i sit down and think about it, the list of things I have to be thankful for is relly wuite long: I have a job that pays me what I need to live right now, a roof over my head, family, friends, food, clothes, and more. Most importantly, I have a Father in heaven who loves me, and forgives me, and is always there for me.

How could I really complain when I have all that?

I know it's been awhile, but, y'all would not believe how busy I've been the past two and a half weeks. WDW really works their employees! However, I'm going to try to keep y'all updated. (Notice I said try.

BTW, the whole "getting-up-at-the-same-time" thing is not working right now. I work five days a week, and work different hours every day, with my schedule changing weekly. Many days the past two weeks, I've gotten up earlier than 6:15 (try two days of getting up at 3:30 in order to be at work at five, and two or three days of getting up at 4:30).

Great, so the one time I actually get excited about getting up on time (well, as excited as I'll ever be about getting up early), my work schedule changes. Figures.