I am fortunate to have a massage therapist who is exceptional. Ninette can enter the room and immediately tell if I am stressed, in pain (emotional or physical). She is is not only very well trained but very intuitive. She has a gift. But there is something else about Ninette that makes her stand out. She cares. She gets excited if I join an exercise class or take a vacation with a girlfriend. She is excited when I go to the dermatologist and get a mole or a wart removed because she knows I am taking care of myself. Ninette cares.
I am fortunate to have a hairdresser who keeps me colored and well coiffed and is excited when I tell her, “I trust you to make me beautiful! Just do something fun!” Patty tells me she feels blessed to help people look and feel good for their special occasions like weddings, funerals, anniversaries, proms and simple date nights. She loves experimenting to help each client look and feel their best. Patty cares.
I am fortunate to have a caterer friend who blesses us at our Sanctuary events with her culinary creations that are more than the ordinary. Susan makes most of her food from scratch, not from a box or bag. She uses as much local as she can find and grows produce and herbs organically. She experiments with new recipes to help people be healthier and more nutrition-conscious and when she describes her creations she does it with gusto. Susan cares.
In my book, Be Your Finest Art, I highlight many more people who aren’t just doing a job. People who have passion for what they do and getting paid for it is a bonus. They don’t consider what they do work. It is fun, exciting, exhilarating, creative, inspiring play. It is how their creative gifting is manifested.
Being passionate about what you are doing is a key to happy living. Are you just doing your job or are you excited about helping others, serving others, making the world a better place…. one person at a time? Can you find joy in what you do to make a living because you know you are giving your best to the betterment of your community? If you aren’t feeling good about what you are doing, perhaps it’s time to begin a New Year discovering and using your best self….in a way that is fulfilling and making your mark in a world that desperately needs people who care. I hope you will find joy in all you do. Life is short.
Well, if I were to write a book or do blog post, I can immediately think of two Miller’s that would make the WAY BEYOND AWESOME list!
Happy 2017 to two of THE coolest, extremely generous, and down to Earth people on my and Gloria’s friend list, Mr. Dan, and Ms. Joanne.
Well, thank you Archie! We are honored to be friends with you and Gloria and we know you love what you do! You are the friendly gateway to the 48 Days.net community! Bless you for the way you treat others!
People who enjoy their work leave so many clues. It’s fun to recognize them and do business with them. And those who don’t enjoy their work are often even more open about sharing their feelings, but we try to avoid those people. Just yesterday at lunch we commented that the entire reputation of a fast food place is usually based on whether or not the cashier enjoys his/her job.
So true. More establishments need to recognize that that first person a customer comes in contact with usually determines the overall impression of that business. I delight in leaving comments on the sales receipt if a server has done a great job!
I love this! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gone away from an employee and said to myself, “He/she really enjoys what (s)he does!” or contrary to that thought. It really shows!
You are so right, Sharon. It does show. Just yesterday, Dan and I were eating lunch at a nice restaurant and the server was so jovial, a big smile and lots of comments….and she made the whole experience fun for us. I left a good comment about her on our receipt. I never met her before but she was clearly doing what she does best….serving others and loving it. It’s a win-win for everyone. Thanks for the comment!
This is where the work and play blend together – when you have as much of a thrill with your work as you do in your play. You can sense how a person lights up when they talk about their passions, or completely dull if they view it as a drudgery. I think part of why the service industry has done so well is that the people like Ninette, Patty and Susan are not just getting a paycheck, but creating their own purpose by offering something beautiful to others.
You are right, Ashley. When someone discovers their innate passion, where they are most gifted….and they dive into it with both feet, it is gratifying to them and to the betterment of others. It isn’t just a job. It’s a ministry to others and one that blesses the giver and the recipient. Thanks for the comment.