Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Everyone Is Important

We live in a culture that places high value on job oriented achievement and financial success. All of us, whether we like it or not, are subjected to this mentality. Society is more concerned with what we do than with who we are. People are more impressed with you if you are a doctor or a lawyer, even if you are a bad one, than if you are a carpenter or a plumber. The irony is that I am sure there are many doctors and lawyers and other people of means that would gladly give a plumber whatever it takes to unclog their toilet or pay a master carpenter their price to build them a customized wooden entertainment center. Every time I pass a construction site and see all the workers I am envious of their talent and amazed at their skill. I think the important thing is to find something that you love and do it. One should be motivated more by the love of the work than the size of the paycheck or the title. Of course this must be balanced with earning a living that supports a lifestyle in which you feel comfortable. Many are comfortable with a simple life, others need many things. Not everyone has the desire or the talent to be a doctor or a carpenter. I believe, however, that we are all good at something although it may take us years to discover our gift. Even if we may be in a job that doesn't completely reflect our love or our talent, there are jobs within jobs that can reflect who we really are. I never had any desire to be a supervisor in a large office. Much of what I do is not what I love or who I am. However, my current situation does allow me to teach and express myself through my daily thoughts as well as offer me many opportunities to help and counsel people. Be who you are, discover your talent, find your gift , and do what you love. Everybody and everything is important. We need doctors to heal us and lawyers to protect our rights but we also need people to pick up our trash and keep our pipes flowing.

Last night I realized that Chloe and the Dalai Lama have the same birthday!

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