I truly do.
Two years ago on Thursday, I took a huge leap of faith and left my high-paying job to come to a non-profit. It's a huge non-profit, but still. I took a $25,000 pay cut in exchange for a much shorter commute and less stress. I talked myself into it by reminding myself that you cannot put a pricetag on quality of life.
The first year was challenging. I didn't hit my stride right away. Despite the fact that I was using much the same skillset, I floundered a bit. I second-guessed my decision. I despaired over the lower and less frequent paychecks. I filled my extra time with more classes and clients at the Y, but I still felt unfulfilled.
But sometime in the past year, things started to change. I dove into more meaty projects at work. I started to make my mark here. I let myself relax about the money and started to bond more with my coworkers.
And much more importantly, I started to really live the mission. I now have much more contact with some of the children we serve here, and I love that contact. It absolutely makes my day when one of them calls out to me in the hallways or comes to visit me (even if, like today, his only purpose in visiting was to grub some candy off me). :) A few of the kids spontaneously hug me when they see me, and that fills me with joy.
I recently emailed a friend, "How could I possibly think about leaving here to work somewhere else for more money???" I couldn't. Not right now, anyway. I would miss my coworkers, even the ones who drive me a little nuts. I would feel guilt over leaving behind the mission -- to inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible, and caring citizens.
And I would not be able to forgive myself for walking away from these kids. These remarkable, resilient, intelligent, sensitive, wonderful kids.
I am so lucky. I have found my calling. How many people can say that?
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Friday, June 5, 2009
Rain, rain go away
Why does God hate the Greeks?
I'm being facetious, of course, but it does seem to rain every stinking year for the Greek Festival. It rained in the early evening on Tuesday but then cleared up in time for the dinner rush at the Festival. In fact, we broke opening day records as far as money raised on Tuesday!
Maybe everyone knew the rest of the week was just going to get worse and worse... Wednesday was OK (again, early rain), but last night was a steady rain and today is even worse. After being so cold and wet for hours last night, I'm skipping tonight.
Tomorrow I'll be back in the bar tent to serve wine, beer, and ouzo to everyone who shows up. Come see me! I'll be in the bar closest to the gyro stand.
(And it's pronounced yee-row, not ji-row. If you're my friend, you simply MUST pronounce it correctly!) :)
I'm being facetious, of course, but it does seem to rain every stinking year for the Greek Festival. It rained in the early evening on Tuesday but then cleared up in time for the dinner rush at the Festival. In fact, we broke opening day records as far as money raised on Tuesday!
Maybe everyone knew the rest of the week was just going to get worse and worse... Wednesday was OK (again, early rain), but last night was a steady rain and today is even worse. After being so cold and wet for hours last night, I'm skipping tonight.
Tomorrow I'll be back in the bar tent to serve wine, beer, and ouzo to everyone who shows up. Come see me! I'll be in the bar closest to the gyro stand.
(And it's pronounced yee-row, not ji-row. If you're my friend, you simply MUST pronounce it correctly!) :)
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
PRs rock! :)
At Sunday's Mike's Run for Fame, IronHubby paced me to a brand-spanking-new 5K PR -- 23:12, which was 32 seconds faster than my previous PR on the same course. (Admittedly, it's a very fast and flat course.) Thank you, IronHubby!!!!
The first mile was fine. Easy, even. I thought to myself, "I could go faster." 7:30.
The second mile was endless. It seemed to take f.o.r.e.v.e.r. 7:30 again, amazingly.
The third mile wasn't as bad as the second, but my breathing was very laborious and heavy. 7:28
When I approached the finish and saw 23:03 on the clock, I said "Holy crap!" under my breath. And smiled for the camera.
(IronHubby is barely exerting himself. So not fair!)
23:12. For someone who is (a) old and (b) a fairly new runner, that pretty much rocks.
Apparently, though, I didn't race hard enough. Later on Sunday I biked on the trainer for 45 minutes, and on Monday I taught both an early morning outdoor boot camp class (4 miles) AND ran 3 miles after work in 24:06. Ummm, I probably shouldn't have had that much left in the tank.
Therefore, IronHubby has set a new goal for me: 22:57.
Rock on.
The first mile was fine. Easy, even. I thought to myself, "I could go faster." 7:30.
The second mile was endless. It seemed to take f.o.r.e.v.e.r. 7:30 again, amazingly.
The third mile wasn't as bad as the second, but my breathing was very laborious and heavy. 7:28
When I approached the finish and saw 23:03 on the clock, I said "Holy crap!" under my breath. And smiled for the camera.
(IronHubby is barely exerting himself. So not fair!)
23:12. For someone who is (a) old and (b) a fairly new runner, that pretty much rocks.
Apparently, though, I didn't race hard enough. Later on Sunday I biked on the trainer for 45 minutes, and on Monday I taught both an early morning outdoor boot camp class (4 miles) AND ran 3 miles after work in 24:06. Ummm, I probably shouldn't have had that much left in the tank.
Therefore, IronHubby has set a new goal for me: 22:57.
Rock on.
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