Working

I started a job this week. I have heard from so many people, "oh, that is boring, isn't it?" and "this day is so long." and many other similar quotes. But, frankly, I guess my gift is that of being easily occupied. I grade open ended standardized tests. Hundreds a day. All on the same subject. On a computer. In a warehouse that has been transformed into an office. And you know what? I'm happy. I'm thankful. I like my job. I feel a deep sense of gratitude that I have a job in this economy. I find satisfaction in trying to do it well. I want to get better and better at it. I want to be a good friend to the people around me. I want to learn to take the small moments off to learn how to refresh and revive quickly.
Work is a gift. A treasure. The people who are complaining to me haven't tried to run their own business and gotten no paycheck with a LOT more work put into it.
But sometimes, I think it's easy just to get into the habit of complaining. Of stressing. Of obsessing. Of being unhappy.
I choose something different. I choose to live today fully. When the young man at the store asks me if plastic is ok, I respond enthusiastically and look at him. When the checker greets me, I try to ask them about their day first. We all have work to do. If we all understand that, then we can all be about making everyone else's job more pleasurable.
I choose joy. I choose hope. I choose. It's my choice. I love that. This is not something that is being done to me. I choose.
blessings,
rhonda