Rethinking Work

My life is a mess right now. I can't explain it all because it's so intricate and personal but - it is.

My spiritual life.
My family.
My work.
My friends.
My goals.

With graduation right around the corner I'm rethinking everything in my life.

I am going to give you one example pertaining work. It in no way sums the stuff going on in my life but I want you to consider one aspect that will affect you as you move on in life. Learn from my experience.

I know that a career in Agriculture and horses is for me yet I've let my parents make call for my first job - being a CNA. I like being one - even with the stress. I'm not the type of person who will do anything I don't want to - I liked the idea and agreed to it. I found my own job and did the interview without parental help besides signatures giving me the right to work. Basically I see myself as an independent person and I made the choice. But maybe it's not the right one. Maybe I wasn't listening to God. Maybe Did I hit a plateau when I made the decision? Was I tired of seeming like a 'rebel' for wanting to chose my own path? Did I mix the lines of what my parents wanted as what God wanted and think 'I need to submit to make peace in the family'?

I think I may have. While it may have created a 'temporary peace' and gave my family 'bragging rights' it's become detrimental to me. Not because I don't like working with the elderly - I do - but because I sacrificed a part of me to fulfill someone else's dream.

The minute you suppres your dreams for someone else's you lose. No one wins. Because you can become bitter. You can't help someone else when you have no inner joy/peace to give. I've almost hit that point but I'm choosing to cut my hours drastically and take a break. I plan to pursue a different job (or even volunteer) for something with Agriculture, Advertisement, or Web Design. It's put my family on a little whirlwind. They can't believe it!!! But it will be for the better.

Maybe you need to shock someone. Take a leap of faith. Make sure you're not doing it out of resentment though. Make sure you're doing it to make life better for everyone. Recognize that this is your life though and if you are pursuing your passions you will be a much more effective tool for God to use than if you struggle daily to do something for someone and God. You can not serve two masters. Do NOT make your career choices on the basis of what people think of you. Don't do it for title, fame, power, or money.

You're peace of mind and ability to be used by God can NOT be sacrificed for anything. No paycheck is worth it.

And just because I work in a LTC and I love the song I'm posting it. The truth is my experience has been far from this because I'm involved with direct patient cares and I barely have time to visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txCUwSKo1kgt.