Target Practice

In Pursuit of Happiness Assignment
Target Practice
Page 42 and 51

Page 42 Noticing Positive Signals

I GOT WHAT I WANTED WHEN

I returned to work from vacation and was going through my mailbox in the office. Much to my surprise there was mail filled to the top of the box. So, after getting a “cup of jo” I sat at the desk and started to go through the many envelopes. One of the letters informed me that I had received my Firefighter Specialist. ( a small monetary promotion, this person is in charge when the officer is away) I had an exhilarating feeling and realized that my need for power had been met.

I was taking my daughter to her eye appointment a couple of days ago when my cell phone rang. On the phone was one of my co-workers asking if I could return to work to staff the fire apparatus. The county was in need of staffing the units as a result of a large disaster in progress. I am not a part of any special teams such as, SCUBA, Technical Rescue or Hazmat, but the fact that he called me first before he chose to contact our other co-workers gave me a feeling of belonging.

Within the past couple of years I started back to school. I was apprehensive at first not knowing what to expect or how things were going to be. My family at home was extremely supportive and backed my decisions. The need for a degree would help me in the promotional qualifications at work. I keep thinking to myself, one day I will be an officer in the fire department. My decision with going back to school has created a feeling of freedom, because I am pursuing what I want to do.

Page 51 Recognizing negative signals
I DID NOT GET WHAT I WANTED WHEN
It was a normal day at work; however, there was a SCUBA Team test that I had to take.
First on the agenda was a written test; then followed by the swimming test. I aced the written and was excited about going to the pool for the swim test. There were about five to six different stations that had to be completed. I was down to the last station and was not able to complete it. My need for power was not met. I was very disappointed and had a terrible hollow feeling in my stomach. I had failed.

A couple of months after Hurricane Isabel made her debut here in Chesterfield County, VA, I was talking with my officer about transfers. (transfers, being assigned to another station) I was happy with my current assignment, but there was a need for someone to be transferred to Station 12. I was not happy about having to move to a much slower station. Again the hollow feeling in my stomach was present, but this time I felt as if I wasn’t meeting my need for belonging, especially with my co-workers that I had been with for three years.

I work with a diverse crew at the fire station, from young, to older and also more experienced. On occasion we have the opportunity to train with the specialty teams. The Technical Rescue Team and SCUBA are both located at my station. When the training opportunity arises I look forward to being a part of this function. On the day that TRT was training on elevated rescues with the Stokes basket to get a patient off the top of a building, I was scheduled to be detailed to work at another station. I felt my need of freedom was not met.

What I have that makes me happy.

What I have that makes my life happier.

A good paying job.
A roof over my head.
Two healthy beautiful girls.
A dependable vehicle to get me to and from work.
My wife who laughs at my stupid jokes.
A few good freinds, that I can call anytime for help or advice.
My dog: that I can talk to when I don't want any response to my conversation.
Good health.
A pay check every two weeks.

My family makes me feel wanted, especially when I come home from work and my wife and girls are excited to see me.
My two girls come to me for advice and explanation on a variety of subjects, this makes me feel needed.
I feel wanted at work when my officer asks me to help with projects concerning the department.

What I have done right.
Deciding to go back to school to earn a degree, after so many years of procrastination.
What this says about me: Manages time well, priorities are in order, concentration skills improved and most of all patience. Trying to juggle the family, work, and school at the age of - - well anyway, has taken a tremendous amount of discipline and sacrifice.

What do I really want? hhmm.
If the genie appeared in front of me now, I would have to ask for several millions of dollars.
A five bedroom house, with a three car garage filled with half of Home Depot, a Mustang GT (two), an unlimited credit card, ( hate to carry cash). And probably the ability to have about three to four more children. To become an officer in the fire department. To finish school with a Bachelor degree

money=P&F *
house=L
children=L
car=F
officer=P
school=P

Something I could add to my life:
There are so many things that I am thankful for, so asking or wanting more would seem to me to be greedy. I would like fulfillment, without wishing my life away.
I have listed many things that I have and want, but they are material things.
I believe that having material things are just that, they fade away like the paint on a chevy, but having the fulfillment in my life that I have completed something, finally would be an achievement. I have so many things happening in my life now with work, school, family and friends.
Does asking for fulfillment mean that it will all pass by in the blink of an eye?

It would meet my need for:
Fulfillment would meet my need of acheivement, acceptance and accomplishment.