Interesting post, thanks. It is true that many of our earliest posts contain the distilled motivations for why we bother to write at all. “In the beginners mind there are many possibilities, in the experts mind there are few.” Suzuki Roshi, Zen Mind Beginner’s Mind
But what is so compelling from this standpoint is the Pizza HUT Advertisement. If we cannot see the treat of onrushing corporate-government power (Fascism) in this ad we may not be looking deeply enough. Now in September 2022 we are fully in the midst of it.
It is easier to find work better suited to our wants and needs at this time. The high cost of living may still force us to do work we don't really want to do to balance the budget. No shame in that.
Here is my submission for the things worth knowing, as I love to write and speak on social media (and will soon start working as a radio announcer).
I do my best proofreading when I hit send, so I'm happy to learn Twitter will soon allow us to edit our messages (30-minute window), first offering this to its Blue subscribers.
Thank you for this article. And let us remember we still have the freedom to choose who we work for. There are people being trafficked everyday in America and around the world. Let us count our blessings and pray for the less fortunate.
There is no shame in working as a security guard, trash collector or even an internet blogger as long as you are being productive and not hurting anyone. We are seeing a time when teachers, firefighters and others professionals are lining up in free food lines just to make ends meet. The only shame attached here is on a society that would allow this to happen.
When I returned to college at age 42, I was required to take an "Ethics" class. The instructor was a Ph.D. who stressed the importance of getting a college education. She insisted everyone should get that diploma. One day, after her most recent rant on the subject, I raised my hand and asked her, "Who cleans your toilet?" She squinted at me and said "What?" I repeated the question, adding "I'm sure you probably don't do it yourself." When she didn't respond, I reminded her that not everyone needs (or wants) a college degree. Society will always need worker bees. That is not to say that one who cleans houses for a living is somehow lesser than one who professes to teach. My father, a plumber, was not well educated formally but he was quite knowledgeable about a variety of subjects. When his type of work was not as in much demand as it once was, he took a job delivering newspapers, and sold cleaning products. He did what was necessary to feed a family of five, and we got through that tough time without missing a meal or becoming homeless. I was proud of him for setting the example that all work has dignity.
There’s another lesson here. In my family, status was everything. To me, doing some good in this world was my monicker. So despite being shamed at home, I was a receptionist, waitress. House cleaner/maid, mucked horses stalls and basically a servant. I loved all of it because of how I felt helping others, esp others in need. Eventually I became every sort of librarian before becoming a massage therapist. I live a very simple life. Though my family has written me off as a loser, I’ve never been so content. I’ve found that status is an empty goal, but helping those in need is so fulfilling emotionally, that I hope to do so until I pass this realm, or I’m the one in need. Your dignity in life or work is all in your head.
Every job, every body, every body part......matters. Stop for a moment to consider the anal pore, it gets NO respect, all kinds of nasty remarks, jokes, etc. are made at it's expense. However, if it should cease to do it's job.......well........it would be extremely uncomfortable and would quickly become a major health issue.
This column could not have come at a better time. I was one of 400 journalists left go by Gannett Media two weeks ago. A job I absolutely loved. Unemployment is almost an insult to someone who has worked all her life. But I’ll take it and find a part time until I can get back into the field I love. All work has meaning and is necessary.
In my opinion, those who work also live longer and enjoy life more. The work can be paid or voluntary. I think it stimulates both the body and brain and provides a benefit to both society and the individual.
During my first span of a job layoff & unemployment I was having a very difficult time then realized how much I identified myself & my worth by my position at a very well-know, international company. Finding my way out of this was not easy. I read a few quotes: ""your job is what you do, it's not who you are" and "work is a slice of your life, it's not the whole pizza". Exactly! I managed to get things into perspective and dig myself out of my identity crisis. Never ever again will I allow a job/company t define me. I was then & am now so much more than what I did/do everyday for 8+ hours. I've told friends & family I don't want where I worked in my obituary or mentioned at my service. Speak about who I was, the passions I had and the things & people I loved. And hopefully the impact I had on lives, however small or great.
When I applied for my first "real" job in the industry for which I went to college, I made it through the first interview with my soon-to-be new boss, but then had to interview with his boss. The guy was a jerk and had a huge Napoleon complex.
He said, 'you were a waitress?'
"Yes"
'Like you brought food to people?'
"yes, and drinks"
'Like a servant?'
"Like someone who worked her way through college, and worked hard". There was more to the conversation, but you get the gist.
I got the job because the person I wound up reporting to saw something in me, like someone who wasn't afraid to roll up her sleeves and get in there.
Dick (his real name and my name for him) eventually was let go. He was all show and no substance.
I loved waitressing. I did it all through high school and college, and even after college. Its hard work.
I'd rather do a job that some people see as 'menial' work and use it to learn how to deal with "Dicks" than move from cushion to cushion having people wonder if I'm worthy.
For someone to call out that actor and shame him for working in Trader Joe's makes me think that person is all show and no substance too, (and probably sitting on their couch shaming people to make themselves feel better about their own situation). Honestly, it's really not that difficult to just be nice.
When I got divorced, my then husband signed over a quit claim deed to the house. He said he couldn't pay the mortgage, sating he was sure I could't. I dug in, and worked at the May Company (great prep for sales!) I also taught a finance course on board a Navy cruiser, did some waitressing, and much more while holding down my full time job. For stress relief, 70 miles each Sunday. I loved every moment. And it paid off. I eventually sold the house, and moved to accept another position. I now have my own successful practice at 74 years old. Never bored. Here's to the dignity of work!
Interesting post, thanks. It is true that many of our earliest posts contain the distilled motivations for why we bother to write at all. “In the beginners mind there are many possibilities, in the experts mind there are few.” Suzuki Roshi, Zen Mind Beginner’s Mind
But what is so compelling from this standpoint is the Pizza HUT Advertisement. If we cannot see the treat of onrushing corporate-government power (Fascism) in this ad we may not be looking deeply enough. Now in September 2022 we are fully in the midst of it.
It is easier to find work better suited to our wants and needs at this time. The high cost of living may still force us to do work we don't really want to do to balance the budget. No shame in that.
Here is my submission for the things worth knowing, as I love to write and speak on social media (and will soon start working as a radio announcer).
I do my best proofreading when I hit send, so I'm happy to learn Twitter will soon allow us to edit our messages (30-minute window), first offering this to its Blue subscribers.
https://techcrunch.com/2022/09/01/twitter-is-finally-rolling-out-an-edit-button-later-this-month-first-to-twitter-blue-subscribers/
Thank you for this article. And let us remember we still have the freedom to choose who we work for. There are people being trafficked everyday in America and around the world. Let us count our blessings and pray for the less fortunate.
There is no shame in working as a security guard, trash collector or even an internet blogger as long as you are being productive and not hurting anyone. We are seeing a time when teachers, firefighters and others professionals are lining up in free food lines just to make ends meet. The only shame attached here is on a society that would allow this to happen.
When I returned to college at age 42, I was required to take an "Ethics" class. The instructor was a Ph.D. who stressed the importance of getting a college education. She insisted everyone should get that diploma. One day, after her most recent rant on the subject, I raised my hand and asked her, "Who cleans your toilet?" She squinted at me and said "What?" I repeated the question, adding "I'm sure you probably don't do it yourself." When she didn't respond, I reminded her that not everyone needs (or wants) a college degree. Society will always need worker bees. That is not to say that one who cleans houses for a living is somehow lesser than one who professes to teach. My father, a plumber, was not well educated formally but he was quite knowledgeable about a variety of subjects. When his type of work was not as in much demand as it once was, he took a job delivering newspapers, and sold cleaning products. He did what was necessary to feed a family of five, and we got through that tough time without missing a meal or becoming homeless. I was proud of him for setting the example that all work has dignity.
There’s another lesson here. In my family, status was everything. To me, doing some good in this world was my monicker. So despite being shamed at home, I was a receptionist, waitress. House cleaner/maid, mucked horses stalls and basically a servant. I loved all of it because of how I felt helping others, esp others in need. Eventually I became every sort of librarian before becoming a massage therapist. I live a very simple life. Though my family has written me off as a loser, I’ve never been so content. I’ve found that status is an empty goal, but helping those in need is so fulfilling emotionally, that I hope to do so until I pass this realm, or I’m the one in need. Your dignity in life or work is all in your head.
Something worth knowing and remembering: Sept 2. 1945, Japan surrenders, ending World War II.
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/japan-surrenders
Every job, every body, every body part......matters. Stop for a moment to consider the anal pore, it gets NO respect, all kinds of nasty remarks, jokes, etc. are made at it's expense. However, if it should cease to do it's job.......well........it would be extremely uncomfortable and would quickly become a major health issue.
This column could not have come at a better time. I was one of 400 journalists left go by Gannett Media two weeks ago. A job I absolutely loved. Unemployment is almost an insult to someone who has worked all her life. But I’ll take it and find a part time until I can get back into the field I love. All work has meaning and is necessary.
“a cashier at Trader Joe’s in New Jersey” goes to the Mark Twain article.
In my opinion, those who work also live longer and enjoy life more. The work can be paid or voluntary. I think it stimulates both the body and brain and provides a benefit to both society and the individual.
During my first span of a job layoff & unemployment I was having a very difficult time then realized how much I identified myself & my worth by my position at a very well-know, international company. Finding my way out of this was not easy. I read a few quotes: ""your job is what you do, it's not who you are" and "work is a slice of your life, it's not the whole pizza". Exactly! I managed to get things into perspective and dig myself out of my identity crisis. Never ever again will I allow a job/company t define me. I was then & am now so much more than what I did/do everyday for 8+ hours. I've told friends & family I don't want where I worked in my obituary or mentioned at my service. Speak about who I was, the passions I had and the things & people I loved. And hopefully the impact I had on lives, however small or great.
Thank you for dignifying all humans who work hard to do their good for society.
When I applied for my first "real" job in the industry for which I went to college, I made it through the first interview with my soon-to-be new boss, but then had to interview with his boss. The guy was a jerk and had a huge Napoleon complex.
He said, 'you were a waitress?'
"Yes"
'Like you brought food to people?'
"yes, and drinks"
'Like a servant?'
"Like someone who worked her way through college, and worked hard". There was more to the conversation, but you get the gist.
I got the job because the person I wound up reporting to saw something in me, like someone who wasn't afraid to roll up her sleeves and get in there.
Dick (his real name and my name for him) eventually was let go. He was all show and no substance.
I loved waitressing. I did it all through high school and college, and even after college. Its hard work.
I'd rather do a job that some people see as 'menial' work and use it to learn how to deal with "Dicks" than move from cushion to cushion having people wonder if I'm worthy.
For someone to call out that actor and shame him for working in Trader Joe's makes me think that person is all show and no substance too, (and probably sitting on their couch shaming people to make themselves feel better about their own situation). Honestly, it's really not that difficult to just be nice.
When I got divorced, my then husband signed over a quit claim deed to the house. He said he couldn't pay the mortgage, sating he was sure I could't. I dug in, and worked at the May Company (great prep for sales!) I also taught a finance course on board a Navy cruiser, did some waitressing, and much more while holding down my full time job. For stress relief, 70 miles each Sunday. I loved every moment. And it paid off. I eventually sold the house, and moved to accept another position. I now have my own successful practice at 74 years old. Never bored. Here's to the dignity of work!
❤ 💝 💖 I love your writings. Keep up the good work. When I get a raise, I may be forced to splurge on a paid subscription.