Beyond the Smile

        I'm 31 and have been working since the age of 7. With my first job my Mother the business owner used to pay me 0.25 an hour to file paperwork from customers she had sold cars to. Since that time, the amount of jobs I've had have grown and grown. You name it, I've probably done it. In addition I've always had 2 jobs simultaneously. Sadly, I've always had a knack for burning out very quickly. This is partly due to working in jobs where the moral is low and the pay is even lower. The moment I realize I'm working with people that could care less about my welfare, that's at the point I'm usually considering a new job. Some may call that being uncommitted, maybe ego-driven, even a bit flakey; rather, I'm usually considering the blimp hanging over my head that reads, "Life is short, don't settle for less, be brave". With that, I'm always moving into something new every couple years and seeing how much I can improve with skills and really in all honesty,  trying to own kindness. Because lets be real, if you're not kind, you probably aren't very good at your job. Unanimously, every employee in a work setting can point to the people that make the work environment lousy and more times than not, they don't have kindness kindled by their side.

   So, if we were to take all of my past co-workers which would probably consist of 2,000-2,500 people roughly, what would they say about me? I'd imagine most would say I'm always smiling but gets frazzled easily. That I'm a Mormon and funny. I also think some girls who never wanted my friendship from the get go would say I'm annoying. I get this idea from a lot of dirty looks I've shrugged off from the past by just making conversation. Sometimes work makes people cranky and they aren't in the mood to be social. There's also been many girls who have gotten to know me and openly admitted they thought I was very "intimidating" from the confidence I air. All together I think people may say that I care immensely about people's well being and am a good honest hard worker. If I were to be asked what I posses as a worker, I would really hone in on my conscience effort to be kind, service oriented, caring, and try my hardest to smile at everyone to make them feel more happy. I point out these work traits to better highlight my goals during this life.

   So with all of these jobs I've created a reputation for who I am. I like my reputation, I like the variety of jobs I've had and the skills I posses. But there's really a large problem with this. What I've failed to write is I haven't been fair to my time here on earth. As much as I care about how I perform during work, the choices behind leaving all my jobs have been centered around negativity. Most jobs I've worked, I've smiled on the outside, delivered great work, but really have had hatred stirred inside me every work day until recently. I've criticized all productivity, thinking there's better ways, smarter ways. I absolutely despised lazy workers and people that cheat systems. I'm offended inside by people's choice of language and resistant to any form of harassment from my peers. I always think I could make more money elsewhere, and will complain to my family the moment I get home. So, my time here on earth, a great deal, has been wasted smiling on the outside and wasting on the inside.

   Recently, I got a new job. The people around me hate their job. All but one. Her name is Stephanie. A retired veteran. She's 50 and rides her motorcycle to work. She's loud, happy, and tough as nails. I'm pretty sure she could take a nail to the head and pull it out and go straight back to work. This woman makes so many people happy. She makes my days filled with light and I go home thinking I want to be more and more like her. My first week on the job I saw all the things I could learn to easily hate. The people around me didn't make it any easier. The complains from all just keep rolling in. But I made a really really strong choice to never look at those holes, and If I yield to negative thoughts, to just plow threw them and run them down fast. Yesterday, I took the time to thank Stephanie for her attitude. She shared with me that she doesn't even need this job, but the real currency is making people happy. I've reflected greatly on everything she's taught me and really do love her and her willingness to be what so many other's are not. Ever since I made the effort to turn my head in the wake of disappointment, I truly have come to say outloud that, "I love my job". I really do. This is the first time I've ever felt like this in my life. I'm so lucky I get paid to do what I do. I have every opportunity to make other's happy. I have integrity, and I'm going to prove to my peers that I am the very best in what I do.

   It's a sin to be angry, it's a sin to be idle, and a sin to be contentious. Blessed are those who have charity and continue to serve others and carry yourselves with a cheerful disposition. The Book of Mormon teaches the principle that if you prepare yourselves in this life and follow the commandments then no evil can overpower you but God can only strengthen you and enrich your preparations. If a job is starting to become a negative topic of conversation with yourself or others, delve into learning about your job and do what others aren't doing. Learn of your field and make it better. Stand out and be happy. In the end be so great at your job that no one can replace you. Life is filled with choices, choose to be outstanding. I leave these things with you in the name of the all mighty redeemer, jesus Christ,

Amen.