I Was Seeking a Job. What I Found Was a Whole New Outlook on Work
Back in early October, I sold my half of my remodeling business to my former partner.
We had a toxic relationship that made it difficult for us to work together. We also had different ethics and values that often conflicted. The business buyout process did not go smoothly. He and I battled back and forth at the accountant’s office and through our personal attorneys. I underwent extreme stress, constantly worrying, losing sleep, and watching my family’s finances crumble. I was so exhausted and depressed throughout the process that I was losing the will to live.
I wanted a different job. I hated running my own business. But I was reluctant to give up the freedom that being my own boss allowed. However, I knew God wanted me to lose my pride, humble myself, and look for work. So I took a seasonal job with the city public works department. Suddenly I was no longer able to establish my own profit margin, take on the jobs I wanted to do, while passing off the ones I didn’t, or determine my own working hours. I was an hourly employee at the bottom of the seniority order.
But what I experienced in the two months I worked for the city was immeasurably valuable.
What my job at the city offered me was exactly what I had been deprived of being self-employed. I experienced daily companionship with some incredible coworkers. They made me enjoy coming to work each day. I made new friendships, shared good conversation, and even enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner with everyone right there in the city shop.
I had at least eight hours a day that I didn’t have to be stressed out. I enjoyed receiving a steady paycheck, rather than doing my own billing and collections. I felt like I was part of a team, rather than an individual trying to carve out my own path. I smiled more frequently, and came home from work feeling good.
My job with the city has come to an end. But those two months changed me for the better.
I no longer feel the need to impress people with my status or accomplishments. I learned to find satisfaction and happiness in daily interactions with good, genuine people. This was a valuable lesson I learned through God's grace.
Thanks for reading my post! I welcome your replies.
The top photo was taken on Grand Cayman Island, on our cruise. It represents a much more relaxed time in our lives.
reading this made me think of... Amercanism
TRUMP = jobs = happy americans
Some colleagues bacame friends and they became one of the reasons we go to work..where working is like playing, you dont get tired and forget you need to have a break.
Yes, the work days go fast when you enjoy being with your coworkers.
Sometimes u look forward to go to work too ;)
Invaluable lessons! What you experienced with your friend is unfortunately way too common. Money has a way of dividing relationships as does power - in the sense of who has more control/say in business dealings and whatnot.
I hope those are your feet on the beach!!! Oh I just saw that was from a cruise! Beautiful water!
Losing the will to live happens to sneakily doesn't it? Creeps up like a serpent and chokes.
So what's next for you? Did you find another job?
Those are actually my wife's feet! Grand Cayman was gorgeous, by the way! Here are both of our legs!
A person can only undergo so much stress before they lose the will to keep getting up each morning to face the day. God gives me the strength and wisdom to get through my trials and tribulations.
For now, I am playing the self-employment game again. I have some jobs I have carried for the past few months that I can now work on. I received a potential job offer yesterday, so time will tell where I will be working in the near future!
I appreciate your response!
Oh yes, I see those are lady feet....haha....now I see both of your feet. Glad you got to go there.
And, Im glad you are in the land of the living still. Things have a way of working out for the good of those in Christ Jesus. Keep your head up @countryinspired and remember to brush off your knees and stand tall.
Thank you so much. I do believe God has works in store for me. I just wish I could see the best path to get there. That is where faith comes in. Trusting, blind faith.
Put one foot in front of the other. Do what you can and He will take care of the rest. Proverbs 3:3-6 It doesn't matter what's around the bend - it will be good.
I do believe that. It's just so easy to fall back into the world's ways of doubt, stress, and insecurity.
Thanks for the kind replies!
Humbles yourself - a hard lesson to learn, but so valuable.
You bet. I know some Christians who have not yet learned how to eat their pride and humble themselves.... (my former business partner).
I am FAR from perfect, but I hope I get a little better each day in God's eyes. It is very hard work to try to correct our flaws and live a God-pleasing life.
Thank you for replying!
Hopefully He will continue to point out their issues to them, and our issues to us.
Indeed. I think I learn more about myself and my errors in every difficult situation I endure. God is definitely at work and has not given up on me.
Thanks for your honesty and vulnerability in sharing your story. My mum and a close friend of mine were in the same boat, where they entered into a partnership to start a business, and the partnership blew up and business ended up closing down. But through this experience, my mum was introduced to her current field of work, which she thoroughly enjoys, and my friend also learnt so many valuable lessons from the experience. God has definitely used the failed partnership to teach both of them and their families some really valuable lessons. As long as we are willing to humble ourselves and trust God in every situation, God transforms and grows us even in the midst of these most difficult situations like what you've just been through.
Amen to that. I am so much more wise than I was before I started that business. It's almost as if I was a wholly different person back then. God has taught me a lot of important things!
This is a community here and since I joined just over one month ago it's been lots of fun. I would not want to trade SteemIt for anything.
agreed
Agreed!
and that pretty much describes government employment.
Government employment has its perks.
from what I've seen it certainly does.
for example...a LOT of time off.
lots of perks, such as healthcare etc.
if you have a problem meeting 'budget'...just raise taxes.
I like this an ending on a good note but you have joined Steemit, so you back with a lot of companiongship, steemit to me is like a Huge Family, I love this place and as @craig-grant quotes "have fun be free and smile" keep on steeming, steemon.
That is a nice viewpoint to have!
I almost tied Steemit into the last paragraph of my post, because like my coworkers, fellow Steemit users are good, friendly people, who I enjoy conversing with. Thanks for the reply!
I am glad you found some peace, hope you find something even better ;)
I have no doubt I will. Thank you so much!
This post has been ranked within the top 50 most undervalued posts in the first half of Dec 08. We estimate that this post is undervalued by $9.85 as compared to a scenario in which every voter had an equal say.
See the full rankings and details in The Daily Tribune: Dec 08 - Part I. You can also read about some of our methodology, data analysis and technical details in our initial post.
If you are the author and would prefer not to receive these comments, simply reply "Stop" to this comment.
"Handing down life lessons" ;) Another bonus is you're on steem now too, another community where you are a valuable member. Sounds like the only place you have to go is up!
Thank you, I appreciate your comment. I do love the feeling of community here on Steemit.