Newton's Law, Well kind of.

For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

I woke up this morning around 2 am thinking about this. That sounds strange doesn’t it? My brain works like this sometimes. I will get something that initially seems quite trivial on my mind at the strangest times. I tried to drift back to sleep but no luck. Laying there in my half awake state, I began to put the pieces of the puzzle together and it became quite clear why this was on my mind.
At first I tried to disprove it as far as it pertains to people. In the end I realized that he was right. Even when it comes to people and someone’s actions, this theory is rock solid. It may not seem obvious but it never less is. So what does this have to do with today?.

I apply this theory to my day to day life. You see, I am slow to say what is on my mind or to do something that may offend others. Before I do or say anything, I think about it and imagine what the possible consequences are of what I am about to do. Thank God our minds work fast or I would just stay there staring off into space but this process usually only takes a few seconds. Some more complex actions take longer to go over but usually I have time. Before I act, I analyze what the best and worst outcomes are from my actions. After giving it some brief thought, I decide whether I should act at all.

Some people act and react blindly without a purpose in mind and without considering the consequences. Here is an example of what went on today. As you know I work in a power plant. Our job is to make sure that you get electricity whenever you want it. From time to time, we have to work weekends or holidays to keep the plant running or to do necessary repairs. Today was such a day. We are in a maintenance outage and behind schedule. If our schedule slips then we could possibly impact the reliability of your power. So we had to work today. Now we aren’t working for free either. We get paid 8 hours of holiday pay and then time and a half on top of it.

Our plant manager decided to serve chilidogs today to give everyone a break. That way they don’t have to fix lunch. This was totally free. One group of workers here decided that they didn’t want hotdogs. “That is cheap” they said. “It’s an insult to serve us hotdogs for lunch. We aren’t going to eat that trash." So the whole group decided to boycott lunch just to “show” the plant manager they wouldn’t stand for something this low. So they passed up a free lunch just to prove a point. So what was the point? And what did they expect to accomplish?

Well they accomplished nothing. They gained nothing. They lost out on a good meal and most of them ate crackers or a dry sandwich for lunch. I on the other hand had two chili dogs, chips, baked beans and iced tea. All for free. And the best part was it was prepared by one of the best cooks in South Carolina. That’s right, I helped fix it. Am I angry that they boycotted? Not in the least bit. I still don’t know what they expected to gain from all this but the only thing I heard the plant manager say was I guess I will quit trying to do things for them.

Now the rest of the story; Just two weeks ago, he served them pork tenderloins for a free lunch. They forgot about that. They also forgot that they are making around 50.00 per hour today if you count the holiday. Some people are never satisfied no matter what you give them. I bet the nice meals go away now too. I also bet that the next time someone asks for something for free, they don’t get it. So their action didn’t get the reaction they wanted. Did they really think that he was going to say. Yes you are right, hotdogs are cheap, next time lets have lobster. Not hardly.

And that is why I woke up thinking about Newton's Law. I knew this was going to happen today. I just hoped they would come to their senses.

In case I don’t get to post before then, have a great Easter everyone.
Have a great day,
Greg

Comments

A man of intention......that's a great quality :o)

Chilidogs......man, who doesn't like to wolf down a few for good measure....I like chilidogs.....ymu-yum! I would be grateful....it's very rare for an employer to do things like that.
Kathy said…
Well, first, thanks for being one of the guys who keeps things running! We all take our electricity for granted until we don't have it! Being a retired R.N. myself, I understand what it is like to work when other people are home in bed or celebrating holidays with their families.

What is wrong with people? Where is the gratitude? Where is the appreciation for having a good paying job that so many Americans would LOVE to have...and a free lunch to boot? My husband says that everyone should have to stand in the unemployment line for a few weeks or months of his life at least once in order to appreciate their job again.

And, I love hot dogs! What is better than a great hot dog?

Keep being a shining example, Greg. Maybe someone will emulate your good behavior if they see it often enough!
Janice Thomson said…
Greed is a very serious and very contagious offense. When you think of the millions of starving people who would sell their soul for a chilidog...
Excellent post Greg and a reminder to be thankful for the small things too that come our way. Thanks also from here in Canada for the work you do since our electrical is connected to yours.
Greg C. II said…
I am handing over the reins to my mother briefly.
Greg II

I liked the comment about unemployment. So true! I've worked hard all my life and been in the unemployment line also. Having a job that pays as well as yours and those guys is a true treasure. Yet, from complacency they feel they are being cheated out of something! Shocking!! They forget how much the average person is really getting paid. When you compare how much women get paid per hour the injustice of thier paychecks really irks me.
Also remember what goes around comes around sooner or later they will get what's really coming to them. We can only hope.
Mrs. C.
P.S. Thanks to everyone who wished me a happy birthday.
Kati said…
That's too bad that these folks appear not to have learned the simple lesson of gratitude from their parents. I personally think I'd get sick of only ever getting treated to steaks. At my work, it's bagels that we see most often from the Library Director, but nobody complains because we know it's out of the goodness of his heart (and his is a truly good heart). We also don't complain if somebody brings in a bag of chips, whether we like that flavor or not, a pan of cake, or whatever else somebody decides to treat the rest of us to. If you don't like it, don't eat it. But to complain because it's not what you wanted today?!?! Ridiculous! Glad to hear that you're around to tell these coworkers what's up.

And, glad you're not taking it personally, either.

Hope you have a fantastic weekend, Greg, and a very Happy Easter!
Not very grateful are they?

Hope you have a wonderful Easter Greg!
Wanda said…
Yes, we take out hats off to those of you who keep us up and running!

I so agree with you post today! I've seen this over and over in the 20 years I was in Property Management. What is wrong with people ~~ Janice said it well, its' greed and I would add selfishness!! I love hot dogs.
Sian said…
Some people really leave a bad taste in the mouth don't they? Sometimes not even chili dogs can take away the taste. I hope the nice meals stay for the sake of the those that did not complain.

Hope you and yours have a great weekend :)
Susan Skitt said…
It's a shame when people don't appreciate others.

Your post made me think of how God must feel when people reject His Son, Jesus who is the way, the truth and the life.

Have a wonderful Easter Greg.
Angie said…
Too bad there aren't more people like you.

Good point, Susan K Skitt.

Happy Easter, Greg.
Wow! Sounds like your bosses are actually really cool since they prepared free food for their workers. Love chili dogs! Too bad some complained and boycotted it. I would have been the first in line! haha!! ;)
Hey you know that miracle monday thing you were looking for a couple weeks back? I ran into a blog tonight that posted about one and this is the address of whio hosts it: http://beth-amomslife.blogspot.com/2008/02/announcingmiracle-monday.html

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