I see ‘em!

It has been great meeting up with different groups of my friends recently, especially when our friendships were forged at different periods of my life. Most of us have begun working by now and since studying has made up the bulk of my life, I am lacking in insight in the field of work.

From meeting Michael at Harbourfront, to Derrick the Army regular, my engineering friends, and hall buddies (not to forget my fellow teachers), each of them have given me some inkling of what the larger world outside might be.

At a ‘Basic Counselling Course’ at The Teachers’ Network yesterday, I was lucky to hear a very sincere and sobering line from a fellow colleague - Karen. She is the only one amongst us who has ever been working in the private sector has told me this - which I find especially bolstering, considering that I am feeling the difficulties that naturally accompany a new job. Here is what she told me,

‘Why I find teaching to be the most meaningful is because at the end of the day, when you’re pissed and fed up and disillusioned by everything, your job, your job purpose, your colleagues, your pay, the whole set-up, there should be one thing that will keep you motivated to the your best - the kids.

And that is true, since it coincides with one of my beliefs - the kids deserve the best, even if nothing else in the job deserves it.

I find it lucky that I have this line to keep me up for the next period of time before I get disillusioned (which we are all bound to feel some time or another).

So if you’re a teacher keep your chin up - the kids deserve the best!

They deserve you!

But if you aren’t a teacher, I hope that you are sharing with your colleagues about how they motivate themselves. Work life is basically what we are in for the next 30 - 40 years, so I hope that you find your reason to wake up each morning.

Otherwise you won’t want to wake up - then you’re better off dead.

So find your reason today! If you don’t have it, go do some searching - within or within other hearts.