It Can't be Work When It's This Much Fun

Q: If happiness was the national currency, what kind of work would make you rich?

A: As someone who's had 22 different jobs* in the 18 years that I've been employed (and that doesn't take into account the multiple summers I spent working for a temp agency and changed posts once every week) I feel particularly qualified to answer this question.  Since, for the most part, each of those positions was in a different field I've had a chance to work in a lot of different environments.  I don't doubt that I will continue to job hop for the rest of my life ~ it's kind of who I am ~ but I'm becoming more and more selective about the type of work I'm willing to take.

If money was absolutely no object and I was working just to make myself happy, I'd probably have a job similar to the one I have right now.  I love teaching dance.  I sort of feel like it's what I was created to do.  I don't have delusions that I'm the most talented dancer in the world.  I'm quite certain that there are others out there with much more creativity than I have.  But, when I'm dancing none of that matters to me.  It just feels right.  And it never, ever, ever feels like work.  Regardless of how awful the rest of my day has been, when I've finished a class all is right with the world.  It adjusts my attitude, energizes my spirit and revitalizes my body.

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The wonder of the fact that I currently have my "dream" job is not lost on me. I am incredibly grateful and infinitely appreciative when I'm not busy complaining about lots of other non-job related stuff.  It is an amazing gift to 1. be employed and 2. be employed doing something that makes me smile.  You don't quit as many jobs as I have without learning those lessons, take my word for it.

As part of my Day Zero Challenge, I've pledged to answer 50 Questions That Will Free Your Mind. Today's post is the sixth step on my mind opening journey. For more information or to answer the questions yourself visit Marc & Angel Hack Life.

*I feel compelled to state for the record that I have only been "let go" from ONE of these 22 positions.  So, before you go thinking I can't hold onto a job. DON'T.  It's more like I "won't" hold onto a job not that I "can't" hold onto a job.  Okay, I feel better now.

What's YOUR dream job?

Passing the Buck

Q: What is the one thing you'd most like to change about the world?

A: I have been tossing this question around and around in my head. But I'm having a really hard time with it.  Sometimes when I come up with an answer I realize that it's really just something that I should first try to change about myself.  Michael Jackson would be so proud... Sing along everybody, "I'm starting with the man in the mirror."  Others times I feel like the changes I come up with make me sound like a Miss America contestant.  You know, kind of naive and plastic?

In the end I think I've landed on an answer that is satisfying to me but MIGHT be considered a cop out.  I don't think I would change anything.  Here's the thing, I know there's stuff going on in this world that is horrifying.  I know there is plenty that needs "working" on.  I'm just pretty sure that I'm not the person to make those kinds of monumental, worldwide changes.  With my extremely limited view of history, the present and the future I don't really WANT to be responsible for the whole world.  Sure, some days that isn't evident by the way I speak, write or behave, but when put on the spot I've realized it's true.  I just don't believe I have the wisdom or the vision to make changes that would inevitably affect everyone and everything.  And, quite frankly, I'm at peace with that.

My faith is what gives me that peace.  Knowing that there is God in heaven that is in charge allows me to occasionally and momentarily find peace in the truth that I am not in control.  I don't understand everything that is going on in this crazy world.  I really don't like a lot of the yuck that surrounds me.  But ultimately I trust that everything is in His control.  ...even the stuff that makes me pull my hair out in frustration.  ...even the stuff that makes me ball my eyes out in grief.  ...even the stuff that is beyond my comprehension and looks like, from my perspective, should be changed. 

Look, I saw Bruce Almighty.  I am not naive enough to believe that I could run this place better than God.  Sometimes I feel like I've got a few ideas or could offer God some advice on how to run things. But then I remember some of the monumental mistakes I've made with my own life and think better of that.  Truth is I have limited vision and the wisdom to match.  It's no secret that there are chain reactions that would result in the kind of changes this question is suggesting I consider.  I do not want the responsibility of standing behind that row of dominoes.  Who knows how much more I could muck things up? So, instead of changing the world in one fell swoop, I'm going to leave it to the expert.

How about you? Is ultimate control worth ultimate responsibility?

As part of my Day Zero Challenge (the site is STILL down! BOO), I've pledged to answer 50 Questions That Will Free Your Mind. Today's post is my fifth step on this mind opening journey. For more information or to answer the questions yourself visit Marc & Angel Hack Life.

Let's Face It, I've Got a Big Mouth

Q: When it’s all said and done, will you have said more than you’ve done?

A: Ummm, if you've met me at all, even once, you should be able to answer this question.  Obviously, I'll have said more than I could have ever done. 

Two reasons: First, I'm REALLY opinionated and I am not afraid to share my opinions with anyone willing to stand in one place long enough to hear whichever one I'm sharing at the moment.  Second, I really like to hear myself talk.  I talk a lot.  I talk loudly.  I talk to anyone and everyone.  {Well, I don't talk to strangers in grocery stores, because that's just weird, but you get the point.}

I understand that this prompt is designed to encourage civic and community involvement.  It's probably included on the list to get people to realize that all our moaning and complaining and whining and bitching is pointless unless we get out in our world and "Be the Difference."  And I get it.  I need that reminder.  It's easy to stay focused on my own little world and forget that there's a big world out there in which I'm called to serve and be involved.  Duly noted.

But from a practical standpoint, there is just no way I could I ever "do" more than I "say."  I'm 34 years behind and showing no indication of shutting up soon to make evening the scales possible.  So, I'm just being honest when I say that when all is said and done, I will have SAID waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay more than I'll have done.  And honestly, I'm not all that broken up about it.

As part of my Day Zero Challenge, I've pledged to answer 50 Questions That Will Free Your Mind. Today's post is the fourth in the series of my mind opening journey. For more information or to answer the questions yourself visit Marc & Angel Hack Life.

I Don't Always Know Best

Q: If life is so short, why do we do so many things we don’t like and like so many things we don’t do?

A:  I see this one as two questions, really.  The short answer to each question might simply be because I don't always know best.  But if I just typed that, it would make for a pretty boring post and I wouldn't be freeing my mind as much as I could by answering each question more in depth.  So, I'm tackling them a bit more deeply and separately.

First, I'll address the, "why do I do so many things I don't like" part.  I do things I don't like because often those things are good for me.  Whether I'm benefiting physically, emotionally or spiritually, doing things I don't like often makes me a stronger, happier or holier person. * I do things I don't like because I trust whatever authority figure is suggesting that I should.  I trust that their desire for my good trumps my narrow view of the world and my constant focus on what feels good.  I trust that someone else might have knowledge or experience that is beneficial to me. * I do things I don't like because sometimes doing what I don't like is beneficial to someone else.  It's hard to believe but, I'm occasionally willing to do things for the good of other people. * I do things I don't like because sometimes what I like isn't what's most important. * I do things I don't like because I don't always know best.

Next part now, why do I like so many things I don't do?  I like a lot of things that I don't do because I'm chock full of an assortment of selfish, destructive and sinful desires.  Acting on those desires would be detrimental to me or to others. * I don't do some of the things I "like" to do because there are consequences to all of our actions.  Chances are if I purposely don't do something I like it's because I've already suffered the consequences of that action and have learned my lesson (this does happen occasionally - the learning my lesson part, I mean - though much less frequently than I'd like) or I'm trying to avoid those consequences. * I like a lot of things I don't do because liking something doesn't mean it's what's best for me and I'm trying to wade through my likes toward what is indeed best. * I don't do a lot of things I like because I don't always know best but I'm trying to learn. 

It's true, I don't always know best and life is short. But eternity isn't.  As a Christian, I believe life on Earth is an opportunity to learn, grow and prepare for an eternal life.  That's why I'm occasionally willing to do the hard stuff. I do things I don't like and don't do things I do because I'm looking past this life and past what I "like" toward a higher power and toward what is truly best.

As part of my Day Zero Challenge, I've pledged to answer 50 Questions That Will Free Your Mind. Today's post is the third question along my mind opening journey. For more information or to answer the questions yourself visit Marc & Angel Hack Life.

Failure is a Gift

Q: Which is worse, failing or never trying?

A.  Having messed up a lot in my life I have a bizarre relationship with failure.  Although it's familiar to me, it remains uncomfortable.  Although it's inevitable (from time to time), I don't dread it.  Although it messes with my pride, I've learned to embrace it.

Failure has been (and will probably continue to be) one of the most motivating teacher I've encountered.  It sands away the rough edges of my inflated sense of self and points me in a better direction.  Failure challenges the ultra competitive part of me to try, try again.  It's a step on the path toward slow, steady and lasting change.  Failure is a gift.  Failure opens my eyes and recalibrates my intentions.  It points me toward my utter dependence upon God. 

It isn't safe.  It isn't comfortable and it's rarely fun.  But, it isn't scary.  For me, failure is a part of living. {Check that, failure is a part of L-I-V-I-N.}  And I never want a life that I'm not "livin'".

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Undoubtedly, failure is much more preferable to me than never trying.  Failure answers, "What If?" in a way that never trying never could.  I'd much rather look back on a life full of adventurous, life altering, fall on my face failures than years spent safely and quietly never trying.

Your turn... Do you typically play it safe or fall on your face?

As part of my Day Zero Challenge, I've pledged to answer 50 Questions That Will Free Your Mind. Today I continued my mind opening journey by tackling question number two.  For more information or to answer the questions yourself visit Marc & Angel Hack Life.

When I Was Older and Wiser

Q: How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are?

A:  Age has always been something that has kind of confused me.  In a culture where youth itself is idolized but young people are encouraged by the media to dress, think & act as adults I'm often a bit dizzy. 

It's next to impossible for me to look at an individual and accurately guess their age.  This I blame on my own family's seemingly non-existent or at the very least slllllllllooooooow moving aging process.  It's true.  Maybe it's our oily skin, but we're constantly getting the, "No way you're (insert age here)," comment.  Or perhaps it's that we all act like a bunch of children that throws people off... that's probably a whole other post.  Or perhaps it's a discussion to be had with my analyst.

All that physical aging stuff aside, I always felt much older than I was.  Maybe it's because I'm an only child and my parents talked to me like I was an adult from a pretty early age.  Maybe it's because I had a false sense of just how much I knew and just how mature I really was.  But, I really didn't ever feel like I was a "little kid".  I've felt old mentally ever since I was young physically.  I spent a LOT of time trying to convince others exactly how old I really was in spite of my appearance.

(me when I was older and wiser)

There was a distinct moment however when I realized that my physical aging had caught up to where I felt like my mental age had always been.  I used to volunteer at a High School.  I did the choreography for their annual musicals and occasionally forged (appropriate) friendships with the students.  One of the dancers had gotten tickets to an InSync concert and knew that I was a fan.  STOP JUDGING, JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE IS IMMENSELY TALENTED.  She came to me and said, "Will you go to the concert with me? My Mom will only let me go if I bring an adult."  I was so ecstatic, and I wondered what "adult" we could talk into taking us.  Then it hit me.  I was the chaperon.  I was the adult.  Finally!

Now, to answer the question...  That cliché, "age is just a number" is a cliché for a reason.  Age IS just a number.  I feel much younger now than I ever felt when I really was young.  Now I look in the mirror at my 30 something self and wonder, 'How it is that I'm considered a responsible adult?"  I've been given a mortgage.  They let me drive a car.  I'm encouraged to vote and make decisions with lasting effect on myself and others.  I can stay out as late as I want, eat whatever I want and choose who I want to associate with and when.  Now that I've been given all the responsibility (that I thought I was mature enough to handle 20 something years ago) there are days that I think to myself, "How did this happen? Am I really prepared for all of this?"

Most days I feel like what I imagine an 18 year old would feel like.  I've got all this freedom and I'm considered an "adult", but I'm just making things up as I go along.  And regardless of number, I feel years younger than I did when I was a child.  I guess it takes a lot of living and learning to understand how little you actually know. 

Your turn, how old do you feel?

As part of my Day Zero Challenge, I've pledged to answer 50 Questions That Will Free Your Mind. Today I began my mind opening journey by tackling question number one.  For more information or to answer the questions yourself visit Marc & Angel Hack Life.