Most of us can say that we have had a “Love/Hate” relationship with at least one job in our lifetime. Whether it was babysitting for your neighbor’s kids, or the first “real” job you had as a teenager, or a “filler” job you had to take as an adult…..we’ve all had one job in our lives that we didn’t love and didn’t look forward to.
I started working when I was in the 8th grade. My Dad went down to buy potatoes from a local farmer that lived down the road from us. When my Dad saw the farmer’s daughter riding her bike around the farm, he informed the farmer that his daughter (aka – me) was looking to find babysitting jobs and would be available to work at anytime. The farmer’s wife called me, and I was babysitting for them by the end of the week. Not only did I end up working for them for the next five years until I graduated from high school, we’ve become family to each other.
I’ve “fallen” into every job I have ever had, and I have been lucky enough to like each one. It’s always worked out that another job opportunity has always fallen into my lap before I’ve ever even thought of leaving the job that I was at. I’ve worked for the same organization that I’m at now for over 13 years. We all have some days at work that are more stressful than others, but sometimes I think that distracts us from realizing how lucky we are to be able to work. To have the ability to be able to earn a living for yourself is a pretty big deal.
This month when I have stressful days – and I’m accountant, so this is budget season! – I’m going to remind myself what a TRUE blessing it is to be able to earn a living for myself. I’m fortunate enough to love what I do and have a great group of people to work with.
There’s more at every job we have than just “work.” Sometimes working with numbers all day, it’s tough to remember that! I’m going to make a conscious effort to find the “more” in my day – every day.
The Forty Years 