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For everything there is a season -Multitude of wise people thru the years
A few months ago I was musing about vocation and the hunt for the perfect job. It's funny to me that when I feel I have figured out the formula to the universe's flow, I'm reminded in gentle, amusing ways that this is SO very not true. And that's cool Universe; I can't compete with Divine Knowledge.
It usually comes as intuitive uppercuts to the gut that strike as I'm buzzing quickly to work or in the long hours I spend in my car, spacing out to NPR and commuting to a new job site for a client visit.
Ahhh yes, to everything there is most defiantly a season and that formula I'm no where near figuring out. I really dig my new job even though it's been an overwhelming training period. Working with people and having colleagues to team with to support people is something I've missed. It is, however, not quite what I expected but the surprises have wonderfully unfolded.
When I took this position I mistakenly thought it was a non-profit company. It was just a natural jump to conclusion from past experience and misreading the job company mission. Nice one for me. It is a for-profit social service agency and working for an organization like this my first experience. The differences are quite striking and I can't say that one is better than the other, expect for this season of my life it is close to perfect.
I like feeling appreciated, respected and having professional colleagues who believe that "burn out" can be avoided by setting such things as boundaries and working 40 hours (give or take 10-15:)...) is healthy. Completely new arena for me. I'll call a spade a spade and say public education does not hold this mentality. Not to ruffle feathers, but I wouldn't wish burn out on my worst enemy. It's a dark place and difficult to manage. I also get the professional respect to flex my work day based on my caseload and paperwork (sooooo much eye-twitching induced paperwork) which is also perfect for how can be wired for success in all areas of my life. Thank you Universe!
I'm off to a training an hour outside the Cities, and this drive I'm looking forward to as it takes me through some pretty parts of the Northwest Metro area. Mother Nature still calms me down even if it's only glimpses outside my car window. For the reason I enjoyed being a school counselor, I won't be doing the same thing I did yesterday. The day will be hold the variety that keeps me creatively invigorated and inspired.
Wrapping it up, last week we had a management meeting and interspersed with professional development speakers and meetings we got to make art for therapeutic purposes and to be displayed in the office!
Stations of art projects were set up and colleagues were up to their knees in melted crayons, paints, paper products and glue. The sounds of blow dryers buzzed in the background, and frequent surges of power outages occurred. People not making art and working on their computers at their desks grumbled in the background.... It was messy art making at it's finest and everyone seemed to be relaxing and enjoying the process.
One outside assignment was to photograph parts of Northeast Minneapolis, a area of the city I'm not familiar with. South Side, I know like the back of my hand. It's where I raised my kids and spent a majority of my life. I had this image of the NorthSide being ghetto and need I say boring. I slowly figure out through working in this area that the North Side is a collision of cultural, social and creative experiences.
So, I think I cried with joy from my desk when I got the emails with the details of the project. Good thing my-workers are cool and just chuckled at this display of delight. These are a few pictures I got from St. Anthony Main and the parking lot of my new favorite lunch spot the Rusty Taco (who, shout out, has the BEST black bean tacos...sprinkled with pumpkin seeds and goat cheese goodness). And with that, I sum up saying when work doesn't feel like work, at least 65% of the time, then I think one has stumbled upon true vocation. This is my newest formula..Now if I could figure out the secret to navigating major Highway Closures...I might have life figured out.
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