The Dream
Now I know what people are saying. We're in a tough economy, and things are tough. You don't have kids or things to worry about. And let me say right now before I really get into it, that I don't have kids or a family to worry about. I have things nice and simple. I'm free. So my point of view is from a free man trying to chase his dreams.
Alright, disclaimer over. Back to rant.
I think the dumbest thing I've ever heard is the phrase "You're lucky to have a job." It's a slave's mentality. The fact that you have something, no matter what indignity or cruel treatment you may suffer, but at least you have a pay check, always sounded to me like a drone's speech, not a mans. While I understand times are tough, at the end of the day there comes a time you have to look in the mirror and be able to like what you see.
Also, anyone can get by. I'm getting by. You can do it too. The real question is if what you are doing is getting you any closer to where you want to be. That to me seems much more important.
I asked myself that question in Snowflake Arizona, where my then current boss hired his mistress and cut my hours in thne process. Was I lucky to no longer be able to afford my rent and barely afford groceries? Was I lucky to after working so hard to start to get ahead, fall just back to where I started with the job? Hell no. So I went to work one day and decided I just had enough.
So I walked. Now it might not have been the smartest thing I've done. But it was the right thing. I don't regret it one bit. Anyone that wants that job can have it. I don't consider myself lucky for having it.
I asked myself that question while I worked at Wal-mart, doing the same job I'm doing now for far far less money. Grant you, my wage at Wal-mart wasn't bad for where I lived, but it was still Wal-Mart. I don't consider myself lucky for having it.
And now there's UPS. The job itself was very physical. I didn't mind that. Hell I didn't mind doing double duty with this and safeway. One job I loaded trucks, the other I unloaded groceries. I got in great shape, but for the last few months I hit a few revelations, especially with UPS.
1) Nothing is going to change
2) I'm stuck in a dead end job
3) I need to move on
My one regret in this whole thing is not moving on sooner. I got comfortable in the sense that I was in two union jobs and not fired. Also, at UPS you make a ton of money xmas time. I thought I'd pad myself up before taking the plunge. Sounds great in theory.
But after careful consideration, I realized I just didn't want to do it anymore. Finally though I had enough. It was time to move on and I knew it.
So I'm bailing.
You are not lucky to have a job. Jobs are attainable. With one exception I have found jobs in every city I have ever lived.
Finding something you love to do and doing it is truly the fortunate thing. The rest of the time you are settling. If they are paying you well or treating you right, that's fine. If it's not, you're not lucky at all.
Even in these times, there is no excuse for anyone to treat you like dirt or garbage for any reason. Poverty isn't the worse thing to face; losing your dignity and self respect is far far worse.
I refuse to be a slave.
I refuse to accept that this is the best I can do.
I'm willing to pay the price to get what I feel I deserve.
So now I'm doing something about it.
The question is, what do I do now?
I still have a job, and that for now will suffice. My lease is up in October. So we'll see what happens.
In the meantime, I'm going to be doing what I want to do. I don't fear the streets. I don't fear being without a home. I've been there. You know what? It's not that scary. I march forward towards my own dreams. I've done it since I was 13. I'm not going to stop now.
At the end of the day, it's all about what makes you happy. And if you're not happy, it's time to do something about it.
JP
Alright, disclaimer over. Back to rant.
I think the dumbest thing I've ever heard is the phrase "You're lucky to have a job." It's a slave's mentality. The fact that you have something, no matter what indignity or cruel treatment you may suffer, but at least you have a pay check, always sounded to me like a drone's speech, not a mans. While I understand times are tough, at the end of the day there comes a time you have to look in the mirror and be able to like what you see.
Also, anyone can get by. I'm getting by. You can do it too. The real question is if what you are doing is getting you any closer to where you want to be. That to me seems much more important.
I asked myself that question in Snowflake Arizona, where my then current boss hired his mistress and cut my hours in thne process. Was I lucky to no longer be able to afford my rent and barely afford groceries? Was I lucky to after working so hard to start to get ahead, fall just back to where I started with the job? Hell no. So I went to work one day and decided I just had enough.
So I walked. Now it might not have been the smartest thing I've done. But it was the right thing. I don't regret it one bit. Anyone that wants that job can have it. I don't consider myself lucky for having it.
I asked myself that question while I worked at Wal-mart, doing the same job I'm doing now for far far less money. Grant you, my wage at Wal-mart wasn't bad for where I lived, but it was still Wal-Mart. I don't consider myself lucky for having it.
And now there's UPS. The job itself was very physical. I didn't mind that. Hell I didn't mind doing double duty with this and safeway. One job I loaded trucks, the other I unloaded groceries. I got in great shape, but for the last few months I hit a few revelations, especially with UPS.
1) Nothing is going to change
2) I'm stuck in a dead end job
3) I need to move on
My one regret in this whole thing is not moving on sooner. I got comfortable in the sense that I was in two union jobs and not fired. Also, at UPS you make a ton of money xmas time. I thought I'd pad myself up before taking the plunge. Sounds great in theory.
But after careful consideration, I realized I just didn't want to do it anymore. Finally though I had enough. It was time to move on and I knew it.
So I'm bailing.
You are not lucky to have a job. Jobs are attainable. With one exception I have found jobs in every city I have ever lived.
Finding something you love to do and doing it is truly the fortunate thing. The rest of the time you are settling. If they are paying you well or treating you right, that's fine. If it's not, you're not lucky at all.
Even in these times, there is no excuse for anyone to treat you like dirt or garbage for any reason. Poverty isn't the worse thing to face; losing your dignity and self respect is far far worse.
I refuse to be a slave.
I refuse to accept that this is the best I can do.
I'm willing to pay the price to get what I feel I deserve.
So now I'm doing something about it.
The question is, what do I do now?
I still have a job, and that for now will suffice. My lease is up in October. So we'll see what happens.
In the meantime, I'm going to be doing what I want to do. I don't fear the streets. I don't fear being without a home. I've been there. You know what? It's not that scary. I march forward towards my own dreams. I've done it since I was 13. I'm not going to stop now.
At the end of the day, it's all about what makes you happy. And if you're not happy, it's time to do something about it.
JP