Whatever form it takes, there is in happiness the kind of constant which enjoyment cannot bring us: happiness does not lie in filling time with delight; it is what makes my one life worthwhile.
- Joan Chittister in Following the Path
Years ago, when I was doing consulting work with folks who were unhappy with their jobs, I'd sometimes tell the story of the tollbooth taker who loved his work. He loved getting to interact with people all day long. He liked to brag that he had an office with windows on three sides.
Of course, some folks rolled their eyes. How could anybody have a passion for that kind of work?
And now, columnist Greg Dawson, in this morning's paper, wrote a feel-good article about a woman named Faye who, for 19 years, has been a tollbooth taker on our East West Expressway here in Central Florida. And she loves it.
She's aware that some folks call tollbooths "vertical coffins" but she laughs that it's bigger than her first apartment. Faye's kind of a local celebrity. When she's out and about people recognize her. Because hundreds of folks see her, if only for a few seconds, every day.
It's not perfect. Occasionally people are mean, college kids don't have any money, and when it's raining and folks don't turn off their windshield wipers, she gets soaked.
But seeing our work as a calling makes a huge difference in how it's perceived by us and those around us.
Here are a couple more quotes from Joan Chittister:
It is the desire to make life easier for others that keeps a woman who trains service dogs washing down kennels and sweeping up dog food every day of her life.
It's not about a job; it's about a passion.
***
- Joan Chittister in Following the Path
Years ago, when I was doing consulting work with folks who were unhappy with their jobs, I'd sometimes tell the story of the tollbooth taker who loved his work. He loved getting to interact with people all day long. He liked to brag that he had an office with windows on three sides.
Of course, some folks rolled their eyes. How could anybody have a passion for that kind of work?
And now, columnist Greg Dawson, in this morning's paper, wrote a feel-good article about a woman named Faye who, for 19 years, has been a tollbooth taker on our East West Expressway here in Central Florida. And she loves it.
She's aware that some folks call tollbooths "vertical coffins" but she laughs that it's bigger than her first apartment. Faye's kind of a local celebrity. When she's out and about people recognize her. Because hundreds of folks see her, if only for a few seconds, every day.
It's not perfect. Occasionally people are mean, college kids don't have any money, and when it's raining and folks don't turn off their windshield wipers, she gets soaked.
But seeing our work as a calling makes a huge difference in how it's perceived by us and those around us.
Here are a couple more quotes from Joan Chittister:
It is the desire to make life easier for others that keeps a woman who trains service dogs washing down kennels and sweeping up dog food every day of her life.
It's not about a job; it's about a passion.
***
