I love my job

I love my job because I love my family. I love my job because of what I have. I love my job because they pay me. That might sound simplistic to you, but it is everything to me. I've had many jobs in my life and I've liked and hated things about each one of them, but in the end they were all about making money. Let's be honest going to work, whether you love your job or hate it, is about selling pieces of your life. I'm a truck driver I have been for the past twenty years and most of the time I love my job, but there isn't a minute I wouldn't trade to be at home with my family instead of at work.

I know this challenge is supposed to be about how I love my job, how it sets my soul on fire, and how it helps me change the world. In honor of that noble purpose I will tell you that I love my job because of the hours spent on the road, the time spent reflecting, the books listened to on audible, the music played really loud, too many news programs, the deliveries at stores, helping out when others would complain to help get the job done, the satisfaction of hearing a manager say thanks and I hope we get you back again, the courteous drivers, the cars that let me in even though nobody wants to be behind a semi, but most of all I love the hugs from my kids and the I missed you daddies when I get home.

Now I'd like to be a bit more general. I believe loving or hating a job is really a choice. While saying that, please understand I'm taking out any extenuating circumstances such as a sexual harasser, a maniacal boss, discrimination, a lack of safety, or any other type of abuse. If you are in a situation like that please get out. Start today even if it takes a year to find a new job. Just knowing you have a destination far from the hell you're in will help you make it through that hell.

I work with people everyday who hate the same job, I have. We do the same things have the same responsibilities deal with the same challenges, but I go home every day happy and they go mad. This has happened at every job I've ever had except for a trap shooting range I worked at when I was in high school, everybody loved that freaking job because it was awesome.

Somewhere along the journey of my work life I realized that the ones who complained about every thing would complain anywhere because all work places are going to have things nobody likes. I found most of the unhappiness at work usually stems from the- I shouldn't have to do that, it's not my job, this isn't the way it should be done, management doesn't know what they're doing and they don't care. Hearing that along the way year after year I realized it isn't about what I have to do it's whether I'm okay with what I make for what I do. Because in the end that's what matters if you are okay with what you bring home then who cares who's job it is. Deal with the things you don't like, enjoy the things you love, and always look for ways to make more money.

As far as changing the world I think every one changes the world. All of us in our own small ways. A smile we give. A courtesy we extend. It all matters. If a cashier rings up a sale in three minutes instead of four that can profoundly change a person's life. Maybe they go through an intersection a minute before they would have and they make it home instead being slammed into by a bus driver who didn't see the light was red. Maybe they were suicidal and just your smile, just the possibility that you might like them was enough for them to keep going for another day. So no matter what you do whether you're a member of Doctor's Without Borders or a Garbage Man what you do creates change in this world. Even the smallest ripples can create the biggest waves.

There are no unimportant jobs. Take pride in anything you do. And, one thing I've learned is there are opportunities in almost any job. Take a fry cook at McDonalds one of the most throw away jobs, but they promote from within, they have management training programs, and offer scholarships to employees. The truth is if you work hard for any fast food company they will promote you, I know from experience. You make it to general manager or go beyond the store level you might not be rich but you won't be poor either.

My favorite quote in the world is from Jim Valvano. "Never give up. Never give in". That's the advice I give my kids. Trying is the biggest part of success. Life is going to knock you down. Your job is going to suck. But, and I believe this with all my heart, no matter how bad things get no matter how hard life hits you if you keep trying if you keep the goal of where you want to be someday somehow you'll get there. It worked for me. Every job I ever had was a stepping stone. All I ever cared about was how I was going to make more. And, it took a long time and a lot of work to find a job where I said okay this is enough.

But, money isn't everything. Happiness is a choice. I was as happy as I am now living in a five bedroom house as when I was living in a single wide trailer with holes so big in the floor you could see the ground underneath. Optimism isn't in large supply in the world anymore, but if you can find it, hold on. That's half the battle just believing you can get better. And I know everyone's circumstance is different. I know that you may be facing hurdles I never dreamed of, but I firmly believe, if you believe things can get better your chances of that happening go way up.

I will leave this with another quote

"We are the change, we've been waiting for."- President Barack Obama

So go and be the change you've been waiting for.