LISTEN on: Apple Podcasts or Podbean or YouTube
Hear the discussion of this post free on YouTube: Volunteering
I’m finding my way back to optimism using some old ideas. This one framed as a child’s perspective hit just right.
The way is to not think so much about what you want at all, but instead think about how you can be kind and helpful to your family, your teachers, your friends, other people, animals, bugs, and everything that lives.
That about sums it up.
This job, these preoccupied managers are all teachers. What am I learning? I am special in my own mind, special in my performance of duties, but not special to them. I get it. I’m a cog in their machine. The focus is on getting the job done, economically, efficiently, and with as little drama as possible. The customers can create enough drama in the course of a workday.
I know in my past, when I was stuck and unable to motivate myself, I looked to volunteering. I put in some time at the Central Texas Area Food Bank, and a non-profit that sends used books to prisoners looking for things to read. In the last year I’ve volunteers for several events just to be out there and helpful and kind. Giving back.
Perhaps this job is a little giving back, a little about health insurance, and a little about the money I will put towards my debt this coming Friday.
Sometimes I will feel sad or frustrated. Sometimes I get amazing compliments from random customers who “see” me. For the most part, my kindness is my shield. If I am being kind, I can see my direct manager as a overwhelmed grocery store worker, who’s spent most of his adult life inside this company. That he commiserated with me about making $16 an hour, he has little understanding of what that’s like. Maybe 18 years ago.
Not getting what I want has been a struggle at times. Getting something I don’t want is exactly where I am at. Tomorrow, we shall see about these other opportunities to depart from the river of beautiful people back into a role and wage that better reflects my experience and expertise. I am inclined to hope. I am imagining telling my manager, “Well, I’ve got a new job.” Not in spite. In joy. Thanks for all the lessons in humility, service, and appreciation. I might be back if things don’t work out.
I hope to see you in the checkout line in the future.
[Listen to the Deep Dive explore the concepts of The Happy Cashier.]
The hope I see in others
becomes the hope I have for myself,
my life, and my own journey.
– The Happy Cashier
the happy cashier index < previous post | next post >
ALT: Botisatva’s Bookshelf | The Happy Cashier Podcast
Please check out my latest book on mindfulness and daily practices.
