I love my job. I teach fifth grade in a small town. Many of my children are living in poverty, and many desperately need my love and attention. I feel useful here, which gives me much satisfaction. The best thing about my job, though, is that it's never boring. I was a secretary for thirteen years before I became a teacher. I used to watch that clock all day long. Every minute lasted an hour; every hour lasted a day; every day lasted an eternity (and I only worked part-time). Now, the kids point to the clock and I exclaim, "Is it lunch time already!" Sure, I have complaints like anyone else, but overall, yeah, I'd say I love my job.
As for my son, I've told him since he was very young that he will spend a very large portion of his life at work, and unless he wants to feel he's wasting a huge chunk of his very short life, he'd better find something he loves to do, then do it. What good is making a lot of money if you don't have time to spend it? I've tried to teach him that it's more fun finding things to do that don't cost much. There are adventures to be had everywhere.
One summer, when my son was about twelve and we were both out of school for the summer, he and I bought a book about interesting local attractions, weird, out-of-the-way places that you rarely hear about (for example, a restaurant in a cave in Missouri), and we spent the summer visiting them. It was one of the best summers we've ever had. Okay, it was one of the best summers I've ever had. He's not quite convinced yet. He still craves the adrenaline rush, thinks he needs to live in a big city to find happiness, but I'm hoping my example and the things I've taught him will kick in after he's grown up and experienced a little bit of the world. He'll have to see both sides before he can make a decision. He'll have to learn for himself that life is only boring if you choose to be bored, no matter where you live. He'll just have to try the other options and then decide. Either way, though, I want him to do what he loves and love what he does.
Shari
