Pearls Before Swine on Humility

I came across these inspirational thoughts this morning

Few of us aspire to be humble. I've been studying the subject of humility  vs pride and went back to one of my favorite authors.  C. S. Lewis has some gems to share on the subject in his essay The Great Sin.

C.S. Lewis wrote that ”if you ever met a truly humble person all you will think about him is that he seemed a cheerful, intelligent chap who took a real interest in you and in what you said to him.  If you do dislike him it will be because you feel a little envious of anyone who seems to enjoy life so easily.  He will not be thinking about humility.  He will not be thinking about himself at all.”

Lewis says that if you want to overcome pride and really be humble, you have to get in touch with God. “ If you really get into any kind of touch with Him you will, in fact, be humble – delightedly humble, feeling the infinite relief of having for once got rid of all the silly nonsense about  your own dignity which has made you restless and unhappy all your life.  He is trying to make you humble in order to make this moment possible;  trying to take off a lot of silly, ugly, fancy-dress in which we have all got ourselves up and strutting about like the little idiots we are."

Chuck

My Last Day at Kodak

Today was my last day at Kodak.  After over 36 years, I turned in my pass, said goodbye to a few friends and walked out the gate.  I have a lifetime of memories.  Some are even recorded with images.
My journey at Kodak began in 1976.  Among the archives I found my original Kodak pass picture.
As you can see, I haven't changed much!

 I was a rookie Chemical Engineer put into a small group of chemists and told to go invent something.  I was shown a desk, my own darkroom without much equipment in it and a very helpful engineer to share an office with.  I was one of over 60,000 people employed at Kodak in Rochester.

In 1979, I transferred to a Phototypesetting products group and took on a quality engineering role for Paper Support.  In 1988 I was asked to join Paper support as a Product Engineer for all the Black and White Papers.  Eventually I was the only engineer left in the product group.  These were certainly the most rewarding years.  I learned a lot about paper making, coating, chemicals and plastics.  I learned that manufacturing was a great place to work. I was amazed at how quickly I was accepted into the manufacturing world.  And the people were great.

Then the downsizing began.  I cannot count how many times I survived a downsizing, but it was a great time to learn that God is in control, when I was not.  Eventually, all the paper manufacturing was transferred overseas and I found myself in Thermal Media manufacturing.  For the last 6 years, I continued in manufacturing learning about packaging, converting, and lean manufacturing. I worked with a wonderful team of hard working, dedicated people.  I am thankful for all of it.

Here I am today

As you can see, I have not change much. - OK maybe a little change like glasses and shorter hair, and no tie, and I had to take the picture myself in my back yard.  Kodak also changed in this time. The workforce is less than 10% of what it was when I joined, most buildings are torn down, and there's not much manufacturing left, and it's in chapter 11.  But other than that.........

So now the really great new!  On May 9, I announced my retirement planning for September 1, so that Debbie and I could serve with Mercy Ships.  While on vacation a few days later I was told I could retire on the same date, but I would not have to train anyone in my job, or work during the summer.  In addition, there were some separation benefits.  We were flabbergasted! We are amazed at God's sense of timing in our lives, and very thankful.  So now I have more time to prepare for our journey to Africa and perhaps become a better blogger!



Why Life is NOT a Cruise

When I think about a cruise, it usually involves a large ship traveling with a lot of people, going places that offer something unusual or beautiful.  Cruises can be relaxing or lead to adventures.  I remember the famous 3 hour cruise that left 7 people stranded on Gilligan's Island.  Some recent cruises in the news haven't helped the tourist industry.

One of the great inventions of our day is cruise control.  It's great when traveling to relieve a lot of stress when driving.

But cruise control is not a good way for me to live my life.  Real life comes from intentionally pursuing ones purposes.  For me the question I need to ask are: How can I love God, and How can I serve people?


Here's an example of a cruise that did not end well.  During World War 1, there was a shortage of steel for shipbuilding, so 12 ships were made out of concrete.  Obviously this idea required brilliance.  It didn't take too many cross atlantic voyages to discontinue these ships because their weight made them inefficient.  In Cape May, NJ There are the remains of one of these concrete ships.  The US Atlantus now serves only as a tourist attraction.

Chuck

From the Jersey Shore

There's lots to learn about life from the Jersey Shore.
Here is wisdom from Wildwood, NJ.

Even Flowers need their "bed rest."

We are looking forward to serving with Mercy Ships in West Africa.

Here's the view of the West African Coast from the Jersey Shore.