"So, if you're looking for work and have a choice of a job, choose a job that allows the opportunity for some creativity, and for spending time with your family. Even if it means less pay, personally I think it is better to choose work that is less demanding, that gives you greater freedom, more time to be with your family, or to do other activities, read, engage in cultural activities, or just play. I think that's best" --Dalai Lama
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| Henry |
How sad, I thought--why not go now? What stops him? Why can't you go to law school at 49 or 50? Or 60? At what age do we just give up and say "Oh, it's too late..."?
And so, I told him that I thought he should go--for him and for his students to see that you are never too old to do something new, to change your career, or to follow a dream--even if the dream is one you just came up with. You see, who knows what they want to be? I think it is a rare thing to find someone who actually does what they wanted to do since they were young.
And who knows what they want to be anyway? I don't--and I'm 48 (going on 49).
I am lucky to have a job where I can be creative every single day. I am also lucky to be part-time and to be able to name the days and hours I am available to work. For the most part, I work with nice people and have a nice environment in which to work. Okay, so I don't earn a heap of cash, but I believe it is a trade-off for the above-mentioned flexibility.
My job does not define me--it never has. When I am asked what I do for a living on forms, I rarely list my job. Most times it just leads to more questions like "Do you have another insurance carrier with your job?", so I just don't bother to list it. Hey, it's only 25 hours a week--it isn't worth the effort. And besides, a part-time job isn't what I "am"--well, not to me anyway.
I am lots of things, but a job title isn't one of them.
So, as I swam yesterday, I thought about this and I started to list all the things that I AM--which is a lot because I was bored swimming laps and I had a lot of laps to go--but I was amazed at the list of things that I was......and what I want to be. See, I don't give up on wanting to be yet--even if I've logged some 40-plus years behind me. I still have time and I certainly still have ever-changing dreams.
I think the day you give up wanting, dreaming, BEING....is the day it is all over. And I certainly don't want that description of what I "am" to be a corporate term on a manila file folder.
I'm so much more fun than that.
15 comments:
I like what you are saying here Lin. All of it is so true. I have been putting in extra hours at work the last couple of weeks because I have been so busy and really hating it. Though I do get OT/Banked time so I will enjoy those extra days off too. This Friday and next Monday to be exact. :)
You have a super day friend!
xo Catherine
Great post! I do think many get focused on money and forget about life and dreams.I know we need the money,lol but we need the dreams too!
This is a really great post. I always wanted to be an artist in some way and that's what I do. I can't imagine it any other way and I feel horrible for people who are too afraid to follow their dreams.
And sometimes your job is what you want to do and what you enjoy and what gives you great personal pleasure. Not having husbands or children for most of my life my jobs were everything to me - how I earned my money, how I learned new and marvelous things, how I socialized, how I built my self-esteem. I had some crappy-ass jobs that I hated and which made me ill - I left them, not as quickly as I should have. But I have had jobs that, aside from the ordinary aggravations of life in general, I was devoted to, and enjoyed. Which is not to say that I didn't have a life outside the office - I did but sometimes they overlapped.
Did my jobs define me? I defined my jobs. I've been lucky my job title was immaterial to my actual job..they had to put something on the paperwork!
I get what you're saying but sometimes work is so satisfying that day-dreaming only elicits things like "rock star".
When people asked what I did for a living I always told them "Office Mommy".
What is it with the Dalai Lama quotes... you gonna shave your head and don an orange robe?
The only thing with his quote is that if EVERYBODY took his advice and took the easy, relaxing jobs, WHO would be left to do the hard, difficult jobs?!
I don't know what I want to be, either. :) I change my mind all the time. Mankind was definitely meant to live longer than he does today.... by the time we're prepped and ready, with no more raging hormones and some good experience and wisdom, we die! LOL
I am a goatherd.
Been busy here with work...just happened to look at your post today! Ironic!
Well, here is a short saying I have printed on my wall in the office... "Never get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life."
I think I need to look up at the wall a little more often. Thanks for the post...I think it was targeted to me! : )
Hope all is well...haven't talked to you in a while...say hello the family!
Wen
I'm retired:)
This time of year my job pretty much defines me because it's easier to say I'm a CPA rather than "I'm crabby and tired and want to be left alone!" :) I always believe that we're never too old to follow our dreams. Even if it takes years to do something so what? It's better to be what we want in 5 years rather than just be 5 years older wishing we had taken the steps to be what we want!
The quote you started with is so true. Money is not everything. I quite a job where I was making pretty good money but I was miserable.
I still haven't figured out what I want to be though :)
Catherine--While I work to bring in the money for college and such, I do it purely for that reason--I don't enjoy work. It's funny, I thought I'd be a "career" gal when I graduated from college. Funny how we change.
Melodie--I think we all start working and forget about learning new things or possibly changing our direction unless we are absolutely forced to. That's kinda sad, I think.
Jennifer--We can all too easily fall into the "work and then bed" mode--something I don't ever want to do! I like learning new things all the time and mixing up my life a bit. You are an incredible artist, my friend! :)
Grace--Yep, I see your point--there are lots of people like you too. Loads of folks get satisfaction from their jobs--which is good too. I'm just saying I was never one of those people.
Rebecca--Are you sitting down? Okay...I LIKE the Dalai Lama. I like his writings, I like his quotes, and I like his silly laugh and sparkly eyes. I quote him often because I have a stack of them in my desk drawer. I don't think this is meant to be a literal thing as much as it is to remember to be YOU. Or to be something other than what you DO all day. And like you, I have no idea what I want to be when I grow up. :)
Pricilla--And that is a good thing! :)
Wen--Hi Wen! I have to call ya--I miss ya! I like that saying on your wall--what a GREAT quote. I think you and I agree on this one. :)
Mary Ann--And do you enjoy it?? :) That's the best job of all.
Beaded Tail--I'm sure that job defines you this time of year, but I think you have a whole lot more going on the rest of the year. We all have moments like that, but I think it is good to have other interests as well. I hope tax season goes fast for you this year!
Ann--I have never been an "office" gal. I don't like the politics, the b.s., the games, and I certainly don't like the goofs who don't make coffee. I'd prefer to hunker down in my cube and just do my work and go home--which is what I do for the most part. Miserable is not a good way to be, pally. Good move!
I could not agree more with you...well said! I am 53, and I have not worked outside the home in 14 years. I am fortunate to be able to stay home and express my creativity and do what I love. I am still amazed at the things that I have accomplished in the last few years, it just goes to show you that if you put your mind to it you really can do anything.
I do define myself partly by what I do professionally but that is because I do enjoy it so much. A large part of my personality is related to what I do so I can't help but think of myself that way. I am other things along with what I do, but it really is a large part of me.
I have not worked for a good long while, hubby just retired, he is not at ease with it, sleeping, eating when he wants he loves that, but always wants to be busy and goes to the Library so much one would think he lived there..Me I don't give a da-- what others think of me, I volunteer a lot and help those who need help, food and comfort, few will do it & I always come home happier than when I left the house, in the worst depression since 1929 someone has to help others and I really enjoy helping people, I feel great most days..besides things are not the be all end all, I had to force myself to get some lingerie I so needed, because I just don't care about buying things..it was an eye opener..we have 4 cats all inside and I am helping our tiniest (16#'s no less adjust to being an indoor kitty) their litter, water, food, flea applications, tending to make me tired before I leave the house, I walk and walk for my type 2 diabetes until I almost drop, busy with that too..I don't care what others think of me, I know that I am a good person, loved and essential and that is all that matters, love your blog, your cat looks terrific and we know in our home that cat is dearly loved!!!!!!!!!!!!
And where's the list, pally?
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