I mentioned in my last post that I applied for a part-time job at Sephora. Today, I got a call from a manager there who told me she had good news: I got the job. I was so ecstatic you’d think I won the lottery.
My friends will tell you that few things light up my face like a trip to Sephora, where I can easily spend a couple of hours captivated by rows and rows of make-up. (Mary Lisa Gavenas describes perfectly in her book Color Stories: Behind the Scenes of America’s Billion-Dollar Beauty Industry what I, along with thousands of other women are buying into when it comes to cosmetics. But I don’t care. I love them anyway!) Sephora tops my list of places to visit when I travel to new cities. The store in Paris, a sprawling, colorful landscape, is a make-up addict’s dream.
And now, starting tomorrow, I get to don the store’s black uniform. The last time I wore a uniform was in high school, when I worked at TCBY. Selling yogurt was a lot easier. Chances were pretty good that customers were going to walk out with a waffle cone. The sale is more challenging at Sephora. Customers can try on eyeshadow and lipstick all day long and walk out with nothing.
Hmm. I’ve got to go now. I have to practice my sales pitch.
My sister told me today, that she decided to switch careers from Software Development to Software Testing. She feels she is not good enough as a programmer, and she doesn’t think she will ever become a great one. So she decided to become a tester instead.
My sister has never tried working as a tester, but she thinks testing is much easier than the job of a developer: you don’t need to come up with innovative ways to solve complex problems, you just test what someone else has written – an easy and safe job (so she thinks).
I’m not going to argue whether testing is really easier than programming or not.
That’s not the point.
The point is that the entire idea of looking for an “easy” job is wrong.
If you love what you’re currently doing, but you feel that you are not great at it, then keep doing it and eventually you’ll become great! Everyone starts with little knowledge and then grows into an expert.
If you feel that you don’t have enough skills, or knowledge, or experience – you can get them! Read books, tutorials, articles. Practice. Ask for help.
And eventually you’ll get there!
But if you feel that you’ve chosen the wrong career – you should start looking for something you’d really love to do, something that excites your, something you feel drawn to. Not for something that just seems easy.
What would you like to do, if you were a millionaire and didn’t have to work? What would you do for free?
An “easy” job will never be easy, if it doesn’t excite you, doesn’t challenge you, and doesn’t help you grow. It will be a boring routine, and you’ll hate it.
And our world doesn’t need any more people who hate what they do
And as a bonus, a great video by Gary Vaynerchuk: Do what you love (no excuses!). “There is way too many people … that are doing stuff they hate. Please stop doing that!”
I live in South Africa, the heart of the big five where elephants roam the dusty streets. . . Wait thats not true elephants dont roam in our streets. I heard so many times how foreigners think wild animals walk in our streets and everybody hunt their daily food. Only place where I ever seen elephant was in a nature reserve park. More about me, I am a male, 24years, about 1.8m tall and weight 66kg. Have a boring job not worth talking about, no car since it got stolen and recovered stripped. My current main topic of intrest is web development and design, it was only the other day I started digging into it. Own four guinea pigs 3 bores and 1 sow, a restless chinchilla and a syrian hamster. I welcome you to my blog and since I have many fields of intrests a varity different topics will be posted. Regular check back!
6 am is extremely early for me to be waiting for Access Calgary to pick me up and take me to work. Particularly since I don’t officially start work until 7 am and usually it is only a 10 minute drive to the Home Depot on 130th avenue. But since the lift once again broke down in my van, there I was sitting in my drive way waiting for my ride.
The bus arrived shortly there after and as the driver tied me down to the floor I introduced myself to the other passenger on the bus. As we headed out he asked me, “So, what is it that you do?” I thought of what to say for minute and then said, “I’m a pastor of a small group movement here in SE Calgary called Expressions!” After which we started conversing about a number of the groups which we lead.
It was not long and we were pulling into the parking lot at Home Depot. The driver then asked me, “So why come so early to the Depot then?” I said, “Oh! I work here!” Climbing into the back of the van so as to start untying my chair from the floor she looked at me with a puzzled face; “That’s kind of two extremes isn’t it?” I mean being a pastor in one sense while working here at Home Depot in another? Aren’t they two different lines of work?”
I paused and contemplated how I might answer her question for a moment and then it just sort of slipped out; “Jesus was a carpenter too you know!” I went on to try and paint a picture for her and the gentleman on the bus that described the work I do as a pastor is really no different then that which I do in any other place including the work here at Home Depot.
Do you ever feel that same way? I mean do you ever wonder if the work you do in the week really matters to God? Or more to the point, if our life as a Christian really matters in the relevance of our day to day experiences and practicalities of our occupational pursuits?
I’m not sure why but, in some sense or way it seems our culture try’s to create this separation or divide between that which is considered spiritual or sacred and that which is interpreted practical or secular. It is as if we seem afraid to relate what we do in our church community with that which we do during the rest of our week.
As my friend Tim shares the words from a pastor friend who responded to his enthusiasms regarding the band Creed’s underlying Christian themes and lyrics; “She cautioned me that the devil is a great manipulator, and can make anything sound Christian by twisting the truth or telling a half lie to seduce people into believing something is Christian, but in fact is not.” I suppose the reverse can also be true; not all things labeled or stamped with a Christian trade mark are necessarily guided and blessed with the truth of Christ’s Kingdom either (Matthew 7:21-23).
I suppose that is the real calling though; work, play, moments of laughter, tears, prayer times, times of worship, times of learning, times for teaching, striving through the ups and downs of life, sharing and hanging out with friends and family while enjoying the experiences and encounters which shape us for a life time of memories. All done while striving to fulfill and be in relationship with something or someone higher then ourselves; a Truth which we call sacred.
The Pharisee’s had this same trouble of trying to remove the chasm between that which is labeled sacred and that which is considered secular. After witnessing a miracle Jesus had just performed they challenged him by accusing him of doing so in service to the devil. Jesus responded to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand.” (Matthew 12:25)
Perhaps there really is no divide between that which is sacred and that which is secular. Perhaps the secular label itself is not really real at all. Perhaps that is because as long as you are following your heart in discipleship with Jesus, everything you do is sacred! As Rob Bell puts it; “This is why it is impossible for a Christian to have a secular job. If you follow Jesus and you are doing what you do in his name, then it is no longer secular work; it’s sacred. You are there; God is there. The difference is our awareness.”
I suppose all that is left to say is… Let’s get to work!!!
So I’m not gonna lie – I’ve sucked at being active this week. Don’t get me wrong it feels nice to take a break, but I’m feeling kind of guilty about it at the moment. My original plan was to meet my friend after work Tuesday/Wednesday of this week to go to the gym – and both of those dates fell through. Bit disappointing – hopefully I can back up on the wagon this coming week.
Other than avoiding the gym this week – I’ve spent a lot of my free time cooking. I really do love it. Anyways, Tuesday night I made some yummy green cupcakes to bring into work for St. Paddy’s Day. I heart St. Patrick’s Day – really I do. Such a fun holiday, and I have so many great memories of *ahem* shenanigans that occurred on that day while I was in college. Anyways, those were a big hit at work – see, don’t they look tasty.
Mmmm... Green Cupcakes with Green Sprinkles.
We didn’t get up to anything too wild and crazy on St. Patrick evening – strangely enough – we went out for sushi for dinner. Isn’t that Irish of us? Not so much. What did you get up too for St. Patrick’s Day? After dinner we watched Couples Retreat, which had shown up from Zip.ca earlier that day. It was pretty good – not the funniest movie I’ve ever seen, but cute, nonetheless.
Then last night – I was trying to think of something productive to do and I realized we had A LOT of veggies that were nearing the “too rough looking to eat” stage, so I thought – why not? I’ll just roast them up with EVOO (haha, so Rachael Ray of me) and S+P in the oven and they’ll be good to go for awhile. It took hardly any time at all to prepare and they are delicious. I cooked up some zucchini, asparagus, red onion and green and red bell peppers.
I also talked to my parents on the phone last night for the first time this week and they had a funny story to tell me. My family’s latest dog, Jack, is from a mix breed from a rescue and is half border collie, half lab and is a little over 2 years old.
Such A Cutie
Anyways, my family’s old dogs were all labs and as much as they are loveable and great family dogs, they are not always the smartest puppies. Jack, on the other hand, is ridiculously smart. Sometimes you feel like he’s totally one step ahead of you when you are trying to get him to do something. Anyways, my mom was making dinner with my sister on Wednesday and I guess they were bickering over something and not paying attention to the dog. So Jack decided to jump on the counter, grab an entire brick of blue cheese + the wrapping and tin foil and down it in one bite. It was a $15+ brick of cheese. That wasn’t even the worst of it though – the dog has a weak stomach, so my mom and sister had to take him to the emergency vet and that was another $200+ – needless to say – most expensive block of cheese my parents have ever purchased.
Well, I guess now they’ll know better – I could’ve told them that all dogs have a weak spot for cheese. Pretty funny story, though.
I’m not sure yet what the plans are for this evening – Ryan mentioned that he might attempt to make homemade hummus tonight. That would probably be a delicious with the roasted veggies from yesterday.
Jeg tænker mig, at hvis jeg nu bare lader mine tanker løbe, så får jeg på et tidspunkt en genial ide. Eller om ikke andet bliver jeg i hvert fald god til at skrive på maskine. Og det er jo også en slags talent.
Jeg er nået dertil i livet, hvor tingene gerne skulle begynde at give mening for mig. Det er nu, jeg er færdig med min uddannelse og skal i gang med et arbejdsliv. Det er nu, jeg træffer de valg, som om fyrre år vil have tegnet mit liv. Derfor mener jeg godt, jeg kan tillade mig at være kritisk. Det er da nu, jeg kan tillade mig at være det, før beslutningerne bliver truffet og får krop og hals og hoved og tænder og spiser mig.
Så det prøver jeg på at være. Kritisk. Men heller ikke alt for kritisk, jeg bliver jo også nødt til at være realistisk, og når nu man er så ung og ikke har så meget erfaring, så skal man starte et sted. Så man skal også huske at søge nogle stillinger, som måske ikke ved første øjekast lige er det helt rigtige, men så er man da kommet i gang. Det er jo i virkeligheden ikke så slemt, at jobbet ikke lige opfylder drømmen, når bare man får en god indkomst og noget at lave. Og mand. Og børn. Og hus. Og bil. Og lån og friværdi og renter og afdrag og lige pludselig er drømmen begravet i forpligtelser og tryghed og hygge.
Der er lavt til loftet i Danmark. Jeg er såmænd ikke en af dem, der skælder ud over janteloven, jeg tror slet ikke, det er det, der er problemet i andedammen. Clement må da gerne tro, han er noget og mere og bedre, det får folk til at trække på smilebåndet; de tager ham ikke så seriøst. Nej, det er noget andet, der trækker ned, en form for national apati. Det hele hviler på en godt-nok mentalitet, som præger landet. De store tanker taber pusten, drømmene får aldrig vinger, visionerne kan lige være på middagstallerkenen i parcelhuset i forstadskvarteret.
Alting skal ind med skeer, det må ikke gå for hurtigt. Nyhederne skal helst ende godt og vejret er jo også altid interessant.
Der er lavt til loftet i Danmark. Det er en sindstilstand. Sindsstilstand.
Yes, this place actually exists–about twelve miles down the road from us, to be exact. It’s one of the most random Texas signs I’ve seen to this point, and I have to chuckle every time I pass. As I drove up to take the photo, I noticed–without too much alarm–that this place was no longer in business. I guess with the economic downturn, people are just not showing up here enough to make a profit. (Big surprise there!)
I almost wish they HAD been in business, because it still begs my curiosity as to what actually went on in this type of establishment. Did you catch the words “Night Club” on the right? Perhaps the name of the place is simply a flowery Texan way of saying “Beauty and the Beast.” I’m still not sure that that would clear up my questions–what happens at a “Beauty and the Beast Night Club?” Yikes…
Hopefully, Mable Peabody has found another, more profitable way to make ends meet. There may be a lot of companies and establishments who have had to downsize or close their doors, but that doesn’t mean that there are any less opportunities to achieve our dreams and financial goals. We, like Mable Peabody, sometimes have to be willing to shut down and start fresh with a new plan. Best of everything to you, Mable! We’re glad you’ve moved on!
I mentioned in my last post that I applied for a part-time job at Sephora. Today, I got a call from a manager there who told me she had good news: I got the job. I was so ecstatic you’d think I won the lottery.
I’m not sure why but, in some sense or way it seems our culture try’s to create this separation or divide between that which is considered spiritual or sacred and that which is interpreted practical or secular. It is as if we seem afraid to relate what we do in our church community with that which we do during the rest of our week.
