Money v. Time

My best friend told me a story about a co-worker of hers who was working part-time. This woman had plans to go travelling with her sister - somewhere like South America or backpacking through Europe, I can't recall what it was specifically - so she put in a request for time off. When the schedule was made up her request had been denied and so she simply gave her notice.

I know this might sound reckless. It's easy to argue that jobs are hard to come by and, especially in these economic times, we should be grateful if we have a reliable income and job security. The thing is, even in the toughest of times, there are always jobs. It might not be a job that you like or is particularly stimulating. It might be shelf stacking or washing dishes. It may be the most menial thing you can imagine, but there will be a job anyone can do that you can find.

Time, however, is limited. No one knows how much they have. Life is unpredictable and can change instantly.

This woman appreciated that travelling with her sister was more important than a part-time job. Seeing the world, spending time with someone she loves, and making new discoveries were more important to her than whatever she might earn if she didn't take that trip.

Unless earning money is your bliss, don't make money the reason why you take a job or don't go on a trip or pass up an opportunity to study something new. 

And just because, here's a video clip of a heron I saw the other day. 

Overheard in Starbucks

The other day I was sitting in one of those coffee shops attached to a bookshop, writing in my journal and enjoying a cup of tea purchased at a rival coffee shop.

I know you're not supposed to eavesdrop and it's really rude and what have you, but I'm also the sort of person who would bring a rival coffee chain's cup into another coffee shop, so what do you expect? That and I find it fascinating to listen to what other people talk about because a) it makes me think and b) it helps me work on building compassion as it reminds me how interconnected we all are. 

The two people I was listening to appeared, from their conversation, to be former school mates catching up. One was a gangly looking geeky boy with a bit of scruffy facial hair and large black framed glasses. The other was one of those women who probably always looked like they were in their early thirties even if they're not in their early thirties even now - not because she looked old but because she looked eminently sensible. She was a teacher of five year olds, which only reinforced the look she had. Elementary school teachers, cops and accountants - they all seem to have a look which makes their careers instantly identifiable. Or maybe that's just me.

But I digress.

They had a varied conversation and I listened to some bits and not to other bits (It was a packed space and we were sitting right next to each other so it was actually quite difficult for me to tune them out.) but there was one bit in particular that stuck out. It was after I'd established that Eminently Sensible Woman was working as a teacher in her first teaching job and Geeky Boy was still a student, having chosen medical studies.

Eminently Sensible Woman: "When you're in school you don't get to have a life."

Geeky Boy: "Well, even if I had time, I wouldn't have money for a life." 

Eminently Sensible Woman: "You'll get a life when you're done." 

Geeky Boy: "Probably not, actually." 

Eminently Sensible Woman: "Oh yeah, I guess it's a lot of work." 

Geeky Boy: "It is. Even now, like, my shifts are crazy." 

Eminently Sensible Woman: "But you enjoy it right? It's better than when you were studying engineering?" 

Geeky Boy: "Oh yeah, I love it. It's amazing. Every day is just, so amazing."

I've blogged about this before because it's one of those observations I've made that bemuses me and I like to challenge people to think differently whenever I can. People, for some reason, equate school and work as being separate from life. As if Life and Work and School are individual headings under which our experiences fall.

Life is the heading. And Geeky Boy does have a life. His life involves being a student, studying something he loves, and ultimately becoming a medical professional in some capacity. In fact, it sounds like Geeky Boy has a great life and I wanted to lean across and tell him so - but I didn't. One must draw the line somewhere on social transgressions.