Let's Bring it Down a Notch, Shall We?

I have a friend whose daughter is entering the work force this year. She’s graduated from a great school, worked hard, and did great, and now she’s in a total panic. Long story short: after a few weeks in the “real world” she woke up one day and said ‘really? This is what I have to look forward to for the next 30 or so years?’ All I can say is: Girlfriend, I feel your pain.

This past summer I celebrated my 5 year anniversary with my current employer, and last Thursday they treated a group of us celebrating anniversaries to dinner. Apparently they take you out to dinner when these things happen? I wouldn’t know since I’ve never been anywhere this long before. To put it in perspective: I’ve been in the “real world” for 10 years. I’ve had paychecks from 5 companies. And I’ve been at my current place of employment for half that time. You do the math.

Anyway, I’ve been complaining about my job lately to anyone who will listen. For all my bitching though, for the most part I like it. And I’m grateful for it, before anyone starts down the ‘at least you have a job’ route. Trust me, I’ve been employed and I’ve been unemployed. Employed is better. But every situation has its drawbacks. Sure, there are a few things around here I could do without, but most of those points are counter balanced by the fact that I get to come to work every day and work with some of my really good friends. Oh and they pay me. That’s nice as well. But lets be honest…no 3rd grader gets in front of their class on career day and says “When I grow up I want to be a trader.” It’s not exactly a calling. Sometimes this thought depresses me. Especially when I get my monthly Oprah magazine and the cover screams at me “What's your true calling!” I have no idea what my calling is. And the answer certainly wasn’t in that magazine. Trust me, I looked. This summer/fall has been filled with lots of contemplation on this topic. For every time I think “what if my life’s work is…well….my work? Am I ok with that?” I also think “what a brat.” For 90% of the world, wondering about their true calling is a self indulgent luxury they can’t afford. I’m sure you can tell by now I don’t have any answers yet, mainly just more questions. So far though I’ve found that my happiest days are the ones that I can say at the end of the day: I was a good wife/friend/sister/daughter/aunt today. I don’t know if it’s a calling, but it will do for now.

Ripken knows his true calling: looking cute, and keeping the bed warm.