A Change In Work

In Tuesdays with Morrie, we see Mitch's addiction to his work. He is always striving to pick up another job, find another story, or get to the higher position. Mitch reminded a little of me of my dad. I'm not exactly sure what his specific job is, but it has something to do with engineering, business, and computers. He has to travel often and is on the phone a lot. When involved in a job in the business world, it is common for all Americans to want to get a promotion, get a raise, and strive to be the best. This has been what we have been trained to view as "success" since we were little. My dad works hard and has never turned down a raise or promotion, but the significant difference between he and Mitch is that my dad understands healthy limits. My dad used to commute to the office, which meant coming home between seven and eight, and still having some work to do when, but a couple of years ago (I'm not exactly sure of the reason why) he decided to make a lot of changes. He chose to set up a home office, where he could still access his work computer from his office building, but on the desktop in our home. This has allowed him to significantly impact his lifestyle. Since he is always at home, if one of us kids needs something at school, or gets sick he is close by. Also, if he wants, he can take breaks when not on a call to exercise, work on the car he is building, or just relax. It is also nice because our family is together more because when we get home, he is here and we no longer wait for him. He also used to do some work on Saturdays, but he chose to log off his computer and volunteer at the C.A.R.S. ministry at our church on the weekends. Here he works to repair cars cost-free for people who can't afford to go to a commercial garage. Some cars are fixed, then sold to buy supplies and tools, while others are fixed and just given away. He is still involved in the business world, travels a lot, and must always have his phone with him, but he has found a healthy balance that is contrary to the work habits of most Americans. Ideas of what success is have been instilled in us since we were in elementary school, but in talking to other seniors, I have found that many students are choosing to take the opposite rout of their parents. Many can't stand the idea of working in a cubical or office. It is possible that this strong work effort, competition, and drive can be positive. Students that have grown up in this environment, now have choices of colleges to go to and the opportunity to make our lives what we want. Students that I have talked to have chosen unique majors in Psychology, meteorology, geology, art history, environmental science, and veterinary medicine, among others. Students say they want to work with their hands and enjoy going to work everyday.