nanherlihen

My insights on life and a happy workplace

Capture the Moment – Take More Photos January 10, 2012

Filed under: Photography,Smile — nanherlihen @ 11:07 pm
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A perpetual New Year’s resolution for me is to take more photos.

 

I was at a funeral this morning of a wonderful soul who passed away last week of cancer leaving a loving young family behind. A photographic tribute was prepared for the service and although it ensured that there was not a dry eye in the house it so wonderfully captured the images of a life lived.

 

The smiles, the emotions, the milestones, the significant events, the family moments shared, all captured in photos. Each photo capturing for all time the image that our minds eye can forget or change over time.

 

I held back the tears as I saw images of smiles and good times which highlighted the stark reality of a life now lost, but took great comfort in knowing that these photos would someday soon (if not already) be a comfort. A comfort because the smile that we fear we will forget or may have trouble recalling will always be there, with a memory, in a photo.

 

I hope that Maria’s family take comfort in their photos and that they look back on them over time and remember the good times and smile fondly. May they always remind them of her beautiful smile and kind heart.

 

Life is there to be lived and shared.

 

Life is too short to squander.

 

Life is made of memories and moments.

 

Photos can capture moments so lets all take more photos.

 

Pork Chop Season November 15, 2011

Filed under: Phenomenon,Smile — nanherlihen @ 10:35 pm
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Well we are at the half way mark of what I have labelled Pork Chop Season and true to form the “Pork Chops” are out and about.

So what is Pork Chop Season I hear you ask?

I have been in HR for many years and have observed a phenomenon that occurs at the end of the year and peaks in November that I have labelled Pork Chop Season.  It is the period where we are tired, out of patience and feel as though the end of year break just can’t come quickly enough. It’s when all the unrealistic deadlines culminate and it feels as though it just all has to get done now!

With all the pressures and no patience in reserves we start to see the ugly side of humanity.

I would suggest that unless we acknowledge the phenomenon of Pork Chop Season, that we are all capable of unleashing the “Pork Chop” within.

I have compiled some tips to help us all in the midst of Pork Chop Season –

  • Readjust
    If you feel the pressure of culminating deadlines know that everything doesn’t stop at the end of the year, life keeps on going, you can readjust. Learn the art of planning in the new year.
  • Take a breath
    Take a breath before you have a meltdown or have a go at someone. Remember that your patience levels are depleted, taking a breath may avoid the regrettable venture into “Pork Chop” behaviour.
  • Be understanding
    Understand that everyone is probably in the same boat and that behaving like a “Pork Chop “ will not necessarily reap any rewards, rather it will perpetuate the phenomenon.
  • Be positive
    Smile and focus on the positive, it’s infectious.

I hope you find my tips are helpful and I hope that you are surviving Pork Chop Season. With a bit of luck, if we spread the word, we could help to eliminate Pork Chop Season all together by being supportive, positive and nice to each other everyday of the year.

 

A Scientist’s Smile October 17, 2011

Filed under: Career Counselling,Happy,Human Resources,NHMRC,Protect Research,Scientist,Smile — nanherlihen @ 11:22 am
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Today the NHMRC announced it’s successful grant recipients for 2012 and I was lucky enough to be present when one of our scientists was given the news that they were successful.

I was fortunate enough to be present and what I witnessed was inspiring. A normally reserved individual who is normally observed looking focused and quite serious now beamed with pride. The smile was moving and his eyes told of his excitement at the news. You could tell he was relieved to know that his work could continue. He had just been acknowledged by his peers and received continued funding, funding that would support and ensure that his exceptional work could continue. His lab in fact had achieved the perfect result of 3 out of 3 grants, a fact that kept that smile beaming all that much longer.

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