Pages

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Life is Work



     Work - A simple word with many definitions and interpretations.  To some, work is their lifeline, their passion, the center of their universe.  To others it means a paycheck to put food on the table and clothes on their backs.  Then to some, work is a 4-letter word, bringing dread at the very sound of it.  No matter how you feel about it work is an integral part of everyone's life.  No one is completely exempt.

     Most of us if we live long enough will experience jobs that we love and jobs that we hate.  I have been lucky enough to have both experiences.   "Why," do you ask, "do I say lucky enough to have had jobs I hate?"  Because without those I wouldn't have appreciated the ones that I truly enjoyed.   As the old saying goes, "That that doesn't kill us makes us stronger."

     Life has a way of throwing us unexpected curves.  If we look at those curves as a new opportunity, good things can happen.  In 2004, when health problems forced me to quit a job that I loved as a registration clerk in a local hospital, I was able to spend more time at the gift shop that my sisters and I owned at the time.  In 2006 when it was no longer economically feasible to keep the gift shop open I started to look around for something I could do part time to keep me active but yet wouldn't cause added stress to my already painful joints and spine.   I decided to try direct sales, or more specifically, selling Avon.  Avon was a perfect fit for me.  I was able to work on my own schedule; days I didn't feel like working I didn't have to.  It got me out with people so I didn't sit at home and get depressed over things I couldn't change.   But best of all, it brought me four of the greatest blessings of my life.  Through Avon I found the four best friends anyone could ever ask for.  We jokingly call ourselves the Fab 5 and the bond we share is nothing short of fabulous.  I know I can always count on them no matter what.  They have my back and I have theirs.

     Work is always going to be a major part of our lives.  It doesn't matter if you work at a job or if you are a stay at home mom work is unavoidable.  Even the most mundane work can have its benefits and perks and I guess what I'm trying to say is that our attitude toward that work is what determines if we are happy or unhappy in what we are doing.  Life is short and it is a shame to go through it only looking at the negative.  Whatever your work, find the positive and enjoy each day to the fullest.  Be passionate about everything you do.

Until next time...that's my view.

Kat

Written for week #33, GBE2 prompt - Work













24 comments:

  1. You are one of the lucky ones Connie!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I think it's important to enjoy work, we spend a lot of time doing it :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Nicely done Kat. I don't have a job anymore and I don't want one, but I am passionate about writing and living and for me, that's all there is now.
    :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. You're right - attitude is so important. And I love the chickens: "Your boredom lacks passion" - too funny!

    ReplyDelete
  5. @ Maren - Yes Maren, we sure do.
    @ Jo - I'm with you Jo. I'm not sure how much longer I will keep the Avon job because, like you, my passion now is for the important things in life...family, friends, writing and living. That's where I want to spend my time too.
    @ Laurie - I liked the chickens too.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I have a saying I tell to anyone who asks me if I love my job. In fact I hate my job but I never had the luxury to follow my dreams at a time when I could have. What I have discovered in my 25 years in my job (which I have climbed to senior management level in) is that work is work - it has paid my mortgage, educated my kids and given me all the home comforts I have enjoyed.

    So, what is my saying? " I don't love my job but I just love to do the best job I can do." Even if I was a ditch digger I would be digging you the best and straightest ditch you ever saw. I find that when I do the best I can do at my job I am happy and content. So I no longer talk about hating my job - I talk about how good I have made myself at it.

    Also Kat I think you would find the best friends in the world in antarctica - YOU seem to be the type to draw good people to you - only good people can do that.

    cheers

    ReplyDelete
  7. Loved this post Kat! The cartoon at the beginning set the stage nicely too! :-)

    Your attitude is optimistic, and progressive where change is concerned, I appreciate that in people. I believe in contrast, and that it takes both sides of a coin to really understand whatever it is you are looking at... or into.

    Avon... hmmm.. that could be fun.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I have always done that Kat. Why hate a job when even in the worse ones there are good days. Good advice Kat.
    Take care and thanks for stopping by. Blessings!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. @Marlia - Work ethics like yours are hard to find these days and I have no doubt that whatever you do you do it the best you can. I'm not sure about Antarctica but I do appreciate your kind words. :D)
    @k~ - Thank you for your kind words and for reading my blog. Your encouragement means a lot. And yes, Avon is a lot of fun!
    @Julie - You always have a good outlook on everything Julie. Blessings to you too.

    ReplyDelete
  10. So glad you found such a good fit. I love Avon and especially, skin so soft. good luck in your work

    ReplyDelete
  11. Loved the cartoon at the beginning! Enjoyed your post! And I am also glad you found such wonderful friends through your work journey. You can't trade that for anything! :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. YES YES YES
    I love this post and how youve articulated what I never could.


    MizFit

    ReplyDelete
  13. The connections we make with people through our work are such a giant reason to love it. Paychecks might be necessary (oh, but that they weren't!), but the real joy that comes from working is the ability to suddenly be part of a 'Fab 5.'

    ReplyDelete
  14. Loved your post and your attitude to the unexpected curves. Thanks for visiting my blog.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Yes! Our attitude can change everything about what we do! Thank you for reminding me of that!

    By the way, my Aunt used to sell Avon, and I miss the lotion that came in the tall yellow bottle. Can't remember the name of it, but it was the best. I would love to get my hands on some! Nice blog!

    ReplyDelete
  16. @ Laura - Thank you and thanks for stopping by.
    @ Taylor - Thank you so much.
    @ Jennifer - Thank you.
    @ Carla - Thank you so much and thanks for stopping by.
    @ Beth - You are so right!
    @ Claudia - Thanks, I thought so too.
    @ Daphne - And you are definitely passionate!
    @ Suzy - You are most welcome. Thank you for visiting mine.
    @ Beachlover - You are most welcome.

    ReplyDelete
  17. You're right, attitude is everything!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Love the cartoon :D Nice piece with a very positive note to it. Thanks for sharing, Kat :o)

    ReplyDelete
  19. That was a fun read. I love my Avon rep. She calls me all the time and no matter what puts me in a good mood.
    You are probably do the same for your customers. If they don't tell you enough.Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  20. @ Anna - Yes, it is and you have one of the best attitudes around.
    @ Mojo - You are most welcome. Thanks for stopping by.
    @ Frizzy - Awwww that is very sweet of you. Thanks for stopping by and for the kind words.

    ReplyDelete

You've read my thoughts, now, please leave me yours. Thank you.