Wednesday, March 9, 2011

gratitude day 9: work




“the privilege to work is a gift.
the power to work is a blessing.
love of work is success.”
-david o. mckay

i love my jobs. yes, that's plural.

the tax job:
i don't know if it's all the power-of-positive-thinking books i've been reading or what, but this tax season i can't stop thinking about how much i love my job preparing taxes.

i like the smell of the paper, i like looking at all the patterns on the security envelopes [just look at the above image. so fascinating]. i like that it's in my neighborhood, my schedule is flexible, there's someone there to watch lucas. easy money, friends! and the things i learn.

speaking of easy money: did you know you really can sell your eggs? i learned this after preparing the taxes of someone who did it. the price for a good egg starts at $5,000 and goes up from there. if only i'd known two years earlier. all my unused eggs could have brought in top dollar, since i have a college education, a healthy bmi, and a high i.q. only, apparently they don't want my dying and mutating 34 year-old eggs. i'm trying not to be offended.

the writing job:
writing lights my brain on fire, energizes me, fills me in a way nothing else does. and i am in such good company. i love my circle of writers, the way it is ever expanding, ever enriching. all my favorite people i have met through books or writing. i have FINALLY finished my first draft of my first novel. [thank you, thank you so much for bringing me balloons and cookies. i totally deserve it.] it is a pile of crappy words right now, but i'm counting on a few poor souls to be my first readers to help me slog through the mush and make it readable for the rest of you.

the design job:
because people say things like this about you [scroll down], and they pay you for it too. there is power in being able to create lovely things.

the piano teaching job:
i taught my last lesson yesterday. our spring recital's tomorrow. i am expecting at least a few major disasters. i will miss all the book reviews, justin bieber adulations, family secrets, junior high episodes and such that i have been privy to over the years. my kids will enjoy having me as a chauffeur in the afternoons now.

9 comments:

  1. I'm excited for you and your first draft! I think it's so amazing that you've accomplished this goal and I can't wait to read it someday because I know it will be amazing.

    Thank you for the positive energy of this post. I really needed it today. :)

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  2. Lovely post! Lovely. Again, you always write lovely posts.

    And WOOT WOOT for finishing- you're right you totally deserve the cookies and balloons!

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  3. I was getting really excited thinking how much we must be alike since you've finally admitted you like doing taxes.

    But then I got to the part about the patterns on the security envelopes and realized you are still in a different league. I never have compared security envelopes.

    Hmmm... maybe I could sell my eggs and have my house remodel fund saved in no time.

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  4. I'm so happy for you and your book! Imagine I am bringing you over the best choc/choc/carmel cookies you've ever had.
    I love your posts, they help me look at situations in a new way. I was very curious what the patterns at the beginning of your post were. Who knew envelopes could be so pretty?

    My eggs are extremely fertile. They'll even turn into a baby when you're taking meds to prevent it! Too bad I didn't know about selling them sooner! :)

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  5. I'm glad that I don't have to work at being your friend--it just comes naturally to me.

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  6. i feel so lucky to be your sister. and so similar too (or atleast i convince myself we're alike because it boosts my self esteem). security patterns are my favorite - i have a stash to scan in and use.

    so proud of you finishing your novel. i am so excited. i will pay you to let me read it :)

    p.s. if my body doesn't ever cooperate, maybe i'll buy your eggs so i can have children. wait is that creepy? hmmm.

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  7. Rachel, I never paid attention to the inside of an envelope. The patterns are beautiful. I love your post. Congratulations on the book!! So happy for you. I would love to read it, if you want me to. :)

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  8. Tim Russert Sr, father of the late CBS commentator and host of "Meet the Press", upon retiring from one of his TWO full time jobs found out he had 200 sick days unused which was ALL of them. Astounded the HR clerk helping with his retirement ask why he didnb't use them, he responded, " I wasn't sick" Oh he didn't feel like going to work sometimes, but he went anyway.

    Oh that we all could have such a strong work ethic.

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  9. Love your gratitude days-there is so much here that I can relate to!

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