Most of us go through life working at our “day job”, because we need to pay our bills.  We often feel that the whole ” work, eat, sleep ” routine that we go through on a daily basis is just normal, and “part of life”.  I was brought up to believe that if you work hard, are reliable, honest, and all those good things, you will get somewhere in your job.  Well, that may have been the case back in the day, but many of us are now fully aware that the world has changed, and more often than not, it’s not always the “good” workers that get places.

      I find it very sad that most people I know ( including myself ) feel the need to stay at a job, simply because it pays the bills, and gives us a sense of “security”.  Of course, the bills don’t magically pay themselves, so we often feel we have no choice.  We go to the day job, day after day, month after month …. and it all blurs into years.  There is no intellectual stimulation after a certain point, and not much incentive to change anything, since we are lulled into that sense of security, knowing those bills are paid.

      I happen to know a lot of creative, talented, highly intelligent people, who say they are content to stay at the “day job” until they retire.  If that is really true, then I am happy for them.  However, it’s the other ones – the ones who I know deep down have secret desires to express themselves in much more fulfilling ways – that I wish would have the courage to “take a chance” on themselves, and have some faith in their abilities.

      I am not one of those people who could ever be happy at “the day job” until retirement.  I absolutely believe that whatever job you may have, like it or not, you must always do your best, while you are there.  However, if we are not happy, it’s up to us as individuals to do something about it.  Obviously, quitting the “day job” is not financially feasible, especially not at first.  We do owe it to ourselves, though, to ask, “What would I love to do more than anything in the world ?” or “What brings me the most joy?”, “What do my friends always say I’m good at?” …

      I think far too many people sell themselves short, hold themselves back, limit themselves, even define themselves by their job.  Yes, it’s great to have the security, the familiarity etc., but what about quality of life ?  Are we happy going in to work each day?  How many of us can honestly answer “yes” to that ?

      I hope that my friends of whom I am speaking will recognize that it is them I am referring to.  You have so much more to offer the world than you know – so many wonderful qualities just waiting to be allowed to shine through.  It doesn’t matter how much money we make, if we’re not happy, what good is it?

      I only have this time to reflect right now, since I have taken some time away from “the day job”.  It has drained me, emotionally, physically, and creatively, for far too long now, and I simply needed a bit of a break.  I need to catch up on my sleep, let go of some stress, maybe read a book, visit with friends and family, work on my music – you know, the important stuff.  It’s far too easy to lose sight of the things that matter most to us when it’s all “work – eat – sleep”.  I sincerely believe there is more to life, and I am going to do everything in my power to find out.