I have found my calling in life. Yes, the title is relevant. Very recently, a temporary gig to work at a hotel/resort came up, and I worked and the gig was so temporary that I am now jobless after only 5 working days. This is not because I did a bad job; on the contrary, my supervisors and coworkers seemed delighted to have me onboard, despite my temp status. Now, I had done the math before my last day, and I realized that I could have made more money on my unemployment insurance than I had when I worked there. While working there, I had to cram my feet into these nice, albiet small, shoes of mine, which felt even smaller when combined with the arch supports I need for my fallen arches. Most of the job consisted of stocking supply closets, bringing housekeepers supplies when urgent, and transporting cots, minifridges and other such things. After running around the resort's four seperate buildings for 8+ hours straight a day, I would collapse back at home with sore feet and legs that felt like lead. Although I went through my work day with a smile and my best efforts (which was significantly better than my 9-month superior of the same job), I was slightly bitter at how little I knew I was going to be getting paid when compared to my unemployment insurance.

On the last day, however, it all became worthwhile. During the middle of the workday, I had a 1 1/2 - 2-hour stretch of delivering cots and minifridges to rooms, and most of these rooms had guests that had checked in and were settling into their rooms. Upon delivering their needs, I started getting tipped for the first time on this job. I received $15 worth of tips when all was said and done, but that's not even what made me turn my opinions around on working that job. It was their heartfelt gratitude to me that really got under my skin and had my superego tell me "You done good."

Now, while my natural inclination is still psychology rather than minimum-wage paying gigs like this recent one, it has opened up my eyes to what I've been missing. Lately, I've been feeling like a snarky, selfish person that was so bitter with the world, at times, I couldn't stand myself and thought of offing myself, for whatever reason. Today, however, I know what I want to do with my life and what cause I am committing myself to: service to others. When I finish my education, I will do this by psychotherapy and perhaps music therapy. Perhaps I'll try to get a gig as a police officer to pay off student loans. But I've found my calling, and I feel better knowing that. I know this may not seem like the typical religion post, but I think to find one's calling is a part of one's spirituality. It's part of mine.

On a similar note, I used to think that my life needed to follow points akin to certain inspirational movies or books, finding a wise teacher, or a challenging friend who would set me straight on the paths of life. I have come to realize that life is much more subtle than that. Sometimes, a moment of introspection and realization can tell you all you need to know. Take a moment to stop listening from sources outside yourself and hear with your heart the voice of your true self. You'll be amazed at what you realize you can feel. I am.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Drake,

quote:

Originally posted by Drake:
On a similar note, I used to think that my life needed to follow points akin to certain inspirational movies or books, finding a wise teacher, or a challenging friend who would set me straight on the paths of life. I have come to realize that life is much more subtle than that. Sometimes, a moment of introspection and realization can tell you all you need to know. Take a moment to stop listening from sources outside yourself and hear with your heart the voice of your true self. You'll be amazed at what you realize you can feel. I am.

Your absolutely right. And sometimes we search for years for something and find out one day we were looking for the wrong thing all along.

POW