Part 5: Be Content

There ya go.

   You have how much? And you want more?  I'll tell you what, you're lucky you have what you own now.  There are thousands of people in this country alone who don't even posses half of what you hold.  At least you have a place to sleep, meals to eat, and loved ones to care for you. God has blessed you with everything you need.  Be content with what you have.

Part 4: From Hopelessness to Hope

Same as usual? Got it.

I know what you mean. I've seen a lot crappy things go on in my life.  And more times than not, it seems like the bad out weighs the good.  You get to that point where things seem hopeless.  Yeah I have been there, in fact I continue to find myself in those situations... it's a natural part of life.  But more times than not things work out for the better.  I had this group come in one evening, upset in multiple ways.  I couldn't help but eavesdrop after placing their drinks on the table.  Something about a school not being able to open and that there were too many hurdles to jump.  It seemed... hopeless.  I am not sure what happened for a few months, but one night they came back and their attitudes were entirely different.  They were happy, proud, and joyous.  I asked what the occasion was and they responded with, "We have been working for about four years to get our school open and it is finally complete!" They went on, telling me about all the hurdles they jumped through, the disappointments, misunderstandings and miscommunications.  They had been wondering if it was really worth the effort.  After a very long wait, a Christian (Lutheran) school will open this fall on an indian reservation.  Giving another fantastic chance to spread the word of God!

   Though things in life cause you to experience hopelessness, to the point of giving up, don't.  Hold on as tight as you can cause it's going to be a bumpy ride.  Remember, God can do anything according to His will.  There are some things in life we want or think we need, but only God truly knows what is best.  He will grant our prayers if He knows that it will benefit us.

   Don't give up, stand up for what you believe and fight for it!  Even if it takes you several years to reach that goal.

   I think you've been listening too much 'cause your beer is more than half full! Drink up, and I'll get you another one. 

Part 3: Do the Work Yourself

   What'll it be?  Com'n right up!  Need a light?  

   I know, doesn't it just drive you nuts when people expect others to do the work for them?  What is wrong with today's society?  I had a teacher come in here a while back who had a student with that same mentality.  What made it worse is that his mother encouraged him to act in such manner.  He refused to think for himself and expected, on a regular basis, to be given the answers so that he could move on and go play. It got to the point that this particular student decided not to do his homework and get this... the mother blamed the teacher for him not completing his work!  On top of that, the teacher held him in at recess to get his work finished, instead of failing him, and the mother got pissed, claiming it to be unfair. 

   Why is poor behavior and lack of effort rewarded these days.  This nation wants to thrive on mediocrity.  Heck, we award children for receiving last place in a contest.  What is that about? This only encourages them to NOT try instead of bettering themselves!  How can we expect to improve ourselves and move forward if we continue this behavior.  Are we, as a nation, truly this lazy? There are somethings in life that we may not want to do, but we need to.  For example, this floor needs striped of old wax and replaced with a new coat.  It is a lot of work and I would rather have someone else do it.  But it's my job and when it is all completed I feel a sense of pride and accomplishment.  In fact, I take better care of this floor than before now that I have put forth all that effort.  When things are done for us or given to us, many tend to take it for granted. They don't cherish what they have and eventually lose the desire to keep what they have.

   Education is essential to all life skills and if we continue with the mentality of allowing others to do the work for us, we won't learn a thing and become, well, useless.  It is our God given duty to do our best in everything, not to try our best, but do.    "Do, or do not, there is not try"

   Want another one? There ya go, on the house!

Part 2: Swearing Implies the Lack of Intelligence?

   Hey. What can I get you? There you go, hope that suits your fancy.  What's that? What's so great about pubs? Let me tell you. 

   One of the greatest things about pubs is the option to spend time with friends and loved ones.  For some, it is a time to drink and be drunk, while for others it is a time to relax.  Some tend to believe that being severely drunk at a bar is tolerable.  Well, it ain't and those who decide to go that far will be asked to leave and if that doesn't work, I'll kick their butts out.  Fortunately it wasn't one of those nights.  Instead, a group of guys came in with smiles and laughter.  As they sat at their chosen tables, I walked over and took their orders.  In seconds I was on my way to gathering the appropriate beers.  As I served the select few that came in I couldn't help but notice the manners that these men had. They were polite, curtious, kind, and respectfully honest.  Another thing grabbed my attention though; it was how they spoke.  In the three hours that they visited, playing pool, playing cards, and watching baseball, not a single swear word was uttered.  I could not help but realize how intelligent each individual sounded. Most people, when they can't find the right words to say, usually curse.  If I may, allow me to give you an example. "Dude, that chick is so  f*%$*#*  hot, and she's a  f*%$*#*  b%$#!  who is dumber than a  f*%$*#*  lame  a$$  door knob!" Those who wish to sound more intelligent may wish to try this, "That woman is quite beautiful; unfortunately her personality is dreadful and her intelligence is somewhat of a disappointment." Is sounding "cool" more important than showing others the intelligence that God has blessed us with?  As a bar tender, I better know what I am doing and if not others will see my error and refuse to attend my pub. Look at it this way, when you buy a new car, is it better to leave the wheels on while driving, or is it more "cool" to drive without them? If you have common sense, you will have picked the first option.  So why not apply the same reasoning to language skills?

   There is not a day that goes by that swearing enters the pub and I'll admit it, I do fall into that category.  Yet, seeing those men, sit'n at the table enjoying their time, I will be sure to work twice as hard to avoid sounding like an unintelligent fool.  Don't worry about not sounding "manly" enough because being manly is not defined by swearing, getting drunk, drooling over women, burping and farting as loud as you can.  It is about protecting the ones you love and caring for them.  It is about enjoying each others company. It is about hard work.  It is about standing up for what you believe in.  It is about doing what is right whether you like it or not.  It is about going out of your way to help a random stranger. It is about showing others the grace of God through actions.  It is about showing who God is through the Word.

  As a bar tender, you tend to think deeply about such events, not all the time mind you, but often.  Maybe this is why in the movies bar tenders seem to have all the answers, or a way to guide them there.  

   Who needs a toilet for epiphanies when you have a bar that serves beer?

Part 1: Opening Night

   Lately, I have been wondering how awesome it would be to own my own bar.  Not just any bar mind you, but one with more of a medieval atmosphere.  Don't fear, there would definitely be big screen TV's for sports and the like.  Oh yeah, and one other thing, smoking will be allowed.  I hate cigarettes, I tolerate cigars, and I love the smell of pipes.  In my life time I have only smoked the occasional cigar and pipe and please keep in mind I have not made a habit of this and strongly agree that IT IS BAD FOR YOU...but so is drinking.  In America today, the rights and freedoms of the average American citizen are being ripped away by foolish politicians.  Being able to smoke in public places is one of them!  Since I have been involved with a community theater, I have been attending a certain bar with several friends.  It was one of the few places where smoking was still allowed...until tomorrow.  The government isn't stepping on our toes, they're stepping on our faces and rubbing it in!  What right do they have to take away our freedoms?  Answer. They don't! This is why I would go through the hurdles of paper work, policies, phone calls, and the like to allow smoking in my pub.

   So here you are! Welcome to Kirk's Pub.  If you'd like, pull out a lighter and light that sucker and puff away.  In the mean time, I'll get you a nice cold beer. Finished? Have another one!