Don't Fall Victim To This Common Disease

I eat fast food every once in a while. I'm sure that most people do, or have at some point. Its not the best culinary choice, but it is usually cheap, quick and convenient, so its hard to complain about it.

As the process goes, you drive your car up, and wait for your turn to go to the ordering microphone. (Usually this contraption is either too loud, or too quiet for either you or the other person on the end. Someone ends up yelling, or not hearing each other).

The process begins when you order- without seeing the person on the other end, with never knowing a thing about them, you can usually surmise something about their emotional condition based on how they sound on that speaker. You can tell if they are happy to be there, or if they are upset to be there. It totally and completely evident from the way they come across that speaker. Every time.

Most of us would agree that working at a fast-food window is not the culmination of most people's career dreams. Its usually an entry-level or temporary job while waiting to get promoted or move to another job. Or, its the only job that person can get at that time. Whatever it is, I think most people agree that its not a dream job.

But here's the point- in the midst of this job, this fast paced, must get everything 100% correct 100% of the time, thankless customer service nightmare, people still are happy to be working there. They are genuinely cordial and welcoming. They are chipper and positive in their work. They smile and connect with the hundreds of people they meet every day.

What's the secret? They haven't fallen prey to the disease of "I'll be happy when". Its a debilitating disease that alot of people fall prey too. It can happen if you're rich or poor, at a good job or a bad job. In a good relationship or a bad relationship. If you have something, or you don't. People allow themselves to get in a mindset that they think they will be happy later on. Not right now.

This guy Paul in the Bible talked about this idea when he wrote a letter to a church in Philipi. He told that church that no matter what happened to him that he could do everything through the strength that he found in power of the Lord. Paul knew that it wasn't circumstance that dictated his happiness. Paul knew he could be anywhere, go through anything, and still be ok.

Don't fall victim to the "I'll be happy when" disease today. Realize that no matter where you are, no matter what you are going through, you can have joy. You can have peace. You can be nice to people and be positive. Right now. Not later. Not when that one thing changes about your life.

Be blessed
matt