Prejudice

The second definition for the word prejudice on dictionary.com is: any preconceived opinion or feeling, either favorable or unfavorable.

Prejudice is ingrained and impacts each one of us. Years ago, when I worked for a large corporation, I had the advantage of a great deal of "required" training each year. What a fabulous concept to work in a learning environment, but that's a blog onto itself.

When we think of the word prejudice, we often first think of skin color because it is obvious and unfortunately more prevalent than such an educated nation should accept. However, prejudice by the above definition helps explain why it's so difficult for us to relate to one another at all. I don't have a TV. About 9 months ago, my daughter moved out and I made her take it even though I loved the 55 inch screen.

I thought that it was time to learn Spanish, and how to twitter, and to write the book I had always planned. Well, I do twitter, but am only up to the teens in twitters. It takes too long to get a response. I'm a bit more communication needy. But I still intend to write the book.

I research my job. I may tell you depending upon the day that I hate it. But I don't. I feel that all the little things I do and the way I respond impacts the universe. Egotistical? Maybe. But my mom told me that I should treat everyone I meet without exception with respect. I took that a step further and it may be my dad's impact that I should go out of my way to be kind. You never know what people are going through and a smile and kind word is something I feel I owe to them. I feel that it is unfair for me to not learn everything I can to do the best job I can each day.

My life has sometimes been difficult. I was nearly born into a difficult world. But I am lucky to possess a high IQ, which is good. But I value my current ability to enjoy what life offers each day. I didn't always keep my eye on that. But it's hard for people to understand that. I actually get into my big, soft bed with the Sealy mattress and say out loud, mind you, that I love my bed! I do say it and I smile - going to bed at 9pm some nights.

I like to take pictures - it is my one strong, lifetime passion, but not to the point that I miss out on the moment. These days, the best and funniest moments with my grandson are not captured on my brand new camera. I'm too busy laughing with him and loving him up with kisses to take the picture.

I like to live in the moment. I wonder how many people live in the moment? Or as the sun sets, do they text about where they're going out later? Or as their spouse or partner eats breakfast with his or her hair all messed up and looking with a pout at the paper. Their partner complains about the dishes left in the sink. Perhaps they should look again. Isn't that tired pout just a little sexy? What if that person were not around with their sexy little pout and dirty dishes? Hmm, I think there is a Christmas movie about imagining life without someone.

Life is short. There are hard times. But if you open your eyes, there are beautiful things happening amidst even the difficult events. I see them. Am I alone?

Prejudice by the meaning above may stop you from appreciating a stranger's comment, a co-worker's awful story about their life, a child's acting out, a partner's way they show affection, or just stopping to enjoy the sunset on a beautiful day.

Don't assume that my difficult life leaves no room in it for fun. I enjoy life. I stare at the sunset in what is now fondly referred to as my grandson's room, painted a bright orange, which he seems to love. Don't assume that I'm boring because I don't possess a TV. You are free to judge me as not your cup of tea or someone you don't want to befriend because I want to talk about my daughter, my grandson, or my latest project at work. But relax and explore what makes you happy. Life is too short to not live in the moment.

Have you hugged a trucker today?

I've been doing a great deal of research on the trucking industry in general and found a great resource in www.trucksbringit.com. It is sponsored or was created by the American Trucking Associations. Trucks Bring It is about reminding the public that trucks bring their daily items for life.

Some people complain about trucks being too large and not environmentally friendly. They go so far as to wish trucks were no longer on the roads. I don't think those people complaining have stopped to think about how it would impact their life if they got their wish and trucks disappeared. How would they get their food, clothes, medicine, and daily items for living? Would they order it through the mail? Nope. Because even though a small truck comes to the house; a big one picked up their items and hundreds of other items at the airport.

Trucking companies and the industry in general are looking at ways to be green by consolidating loads and even working with other carriers to do so. More information about SmartWay Partnerships sponsored by the Environmental Protection Agency can be found at their website www.epa.gov/smartway/.

It's interesting to think about simple things more in-depth.

P.S. I don't have a TV, so this is how I spend my time. I don't drive a truck nor do I own a trucking company. Just sharing some information for anyone interested in the industry, so you don't have to google till the cows come home, like I did.

OTR Drivers

I interviewed for my current job about two years ago. I asked if hiring drivers would be part of my job and was told no. Well, things change. As an HR professional with 20 years of experience in the field I know thing can change quickly and you have to manage it. I was tossed into driver hiring when they were already short of drivers. It's a small fleet, so even a couple open trucks can cause difficult logistics.

Over the road (OTR) driving is an industry onto itself. The interesting thing about recruiting is that you really have to immerse (we'll keep with the water metaphor) yourself into the world of the company and the position to understand it. Quite truthfully, I've worked in financial services and the call center, so my experience in those industries were quite similar. Notice I didn't say easy. I don't like turnover in the first 90 days as I see if as a personal failure. But driving took me down a new road (moving onto driving metaphors).

The position I took turned into something larger than I expected so I didn't have the time to stop, think, and focus on the drivers. One day, I went to the local Petro. Now, I have to say that wasn't new to me. My mom was quite fond of their burgers when she was alive and went there with my dad on a semi-regular basis. I went with them too sometimes. My mom also liked the interesting items for sale in their shop. I still have a travel mug that we bought there together. Anyway, when I recently went to the Petro. I approached it like one of "my guys". For the record, "my guys" include some gals, but I've become accustomed to being called one of the guys in a male dominated industry. I pulled up to the truck stop and imagined that it was new to me and had to take my break because I was out of hours.

The first thing that struck me is how lonely it felt. There was a man sitting on a bench alone. He didn't make eye contact. There was a woman watching TV in a massage shop. I walked by and went through the store and made small talk with a few shoppers. Then I bought a couple items for an upcoming new hire orientation. I wandered out the store, back toward the way I entered. I noticed the men's bathroom was closed. That explained why there weren't many people there. The restaurant was pretty busy. There were two free papers near the door. I picked up one of each.

I then went to the next nearest truck stop, the Pilot with a Wendy's. It was busy. There were trucks waiting to get in the place. I went directly into the shop there. I wandered around. It was smaller and busier than the other place. As I stood looking at an item, several men walked by to use the men's room, which I assume was in working order as they all filed into it. I bought something there as well and headed to the exit. As I walked out, I noticed 3 free papers available and picked up one that I didn't already have.

Before I started my venture, I mentally went through all the comments and feedback drivers had provided to me. And I thought about the comments dispatch and transportation shared. When I walked into the first truck stop, I was thinking about what to buy my new drivers as a welcome gift. I thought that they needed everything, but it didn't really culminate fully until I walked through the first truck stop. They really need everything, like... I tried to think of a time that I needed everything, tissues, toothbrush (I always carry that, but that's a blog in itself), food, a cooler, a spoon, a bowl, sheets, a pillow, a blanket, a towel, soap... The list was seemingly endless. I realized the only other time that I needed all that stuff was when I went tent camping! An OTR driver needs everything. Suddenly I fully understood why they hated slip seating. I understood that when we had numerous new drivers last year, they told me they slowed down in coming back to the hub so they didn't have to give up "their" truck. It was their home away from home. Yes, they told me that and I heard it. But I didn't grasp it in the same way as I did that day I mentally walked in their shoes.

It was an interesting venture as I'm sure that I don't fully understand what it's like to be an OTR driver, but I came much closer that day. When drivers talk to me I'll more than hear them, I'll be listening.