To Be Or Not To Be, And For What
Posted: Monday, June 13, 2011
by Susan Thom
Looking back at our childhood, it seems as if every friend, relative, or stranger with a big smile on their face, wants to know what we want to "be" when we grow up. Some of us have no doubts, and some have no idea. We aren’t even sure what is expected of us, either from others or from ourselves. My mom was a nurse, and I always marveled at the way she obviously enjoyed what she was doing, and got a great deal of satisfaction out of helping others.
Will it matter to us if we are learning as we work, or if we are helping others? Do we want to work behind the scenes, or as a major part of a business?
And why do we want to be anything? Is money and motivation our only reasons? Is it possible that we also like being with people, perhaps helping them in some capacity? Is conversation something we enjoy? Or do we want to do something that allows us to occupy a cubicle in an office building? Are we working to pay for rent and car insurance, home owner’s insurance, gas for our car, and our car! There are land taxes, food, clothing, and utilities; or are we working for extra cash, and to get out of the house?
Are we to be or not to be in the clergy, or in retail, computers, teachers, sales reps? What is our calling and who do we hope to reach? Is money our only goal? Is it our only motivation? It would make sense that if so, our jobs, whatever they are, will be quite unfullfilling. Our attitudes will be affected, our personalities, and our desire for life. If, however, we know what we like to do and be involved in, we can actually enjoy our workday. Eight hours a day is a lot of our life to waste on bad feelings and anger.
I believe it is wise to think about our likes and dislikes before we commit to working 8 hours a day. Back in the day, I liked to clean houses. I still do, my body doesn’t want to anymore! The point still remains, I loved doing what I was doing, and seeing furniture and knick knacks go from dusty, to shiny and clean. It made me feel good to take one last look around, after cleaning the whole house, making sure I didn’t miss anything, as well as admiring how nice everything looked.
My "for what" was a small amount of extra money, but I was able to get so much more out of what I was doing. Exercise, pride, and knowing I was helping others out who worked and didn’t have time to do what I could do for them. Even if the compensation wasn’t much back then, it was something, and with all 3 kids in school full-time, I was able to take advantage and do what I needed to do. I not only had a purpose as a mother, but one as an employee as well.
Many teachers are in the school districts for all the wrong reasons, and therefore, are not doing our children any good. However, those who are dedicated and interested in what they do and committed to teaching, should have the utmost respect. Others, I believe, should have gone the "not to be" route. We have doctors and dentists and nuns, priests, bus drivers, writers, computer analysts, and so many other types of jobs or vocations.
If we could mix our need and desire for money, with our drive and compassion for what we do, we’d all be happier. A shoe sales person who takes pride in the way he makes sure someone’s shoe fits, may be more content than the Governor of the state. Whenever I, or my kids, got new shoes or sneakers, we left the store excited about our new purchase. Shoes don’t simply mean status, but they need to be comfortable, too. A sales person who can make that happen, and is happy as well, can make the experience more calming and enjoyable.
Yes, to be or not to be is very important if we want to give ourselves the chance to be happy and fulfilled in what we do.
And why we want to be in a certain profession or calling, is the most important. It will add that energy to our every day existence, and allow working to be more of a destination of choice, and not so much of a chore. Life in general will improve if we are to be what we want to be, and not what we accept ourselves to be.
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