What is work? - Ch1

48 Days to the Work You Love is kind of a workbook designed to create a "plan of action for moving into God's calling for" your life. The book actually starts off requiring you to sign a contract that says just that. The first round of questions and my answers are below:

Who gave you your first job? Six Flags Astroworld, Texas
What kind of job was it? the front gate and season pass area
How much money did you make? whatever minimum wage was back then
From looking at your work life so far, what has been of the greatest value or worth? the relationships I've developed, the ability to live comfortably, flexibility and working from home at times, initially travel was great and now I value not traveling and being home with my family
Do you think your current job will exist five years from now? yes
What would be the key characteristics of an ideal job or career? flexibility, contributing to the lives of others, working with positive people, close to home, income
When you daydream, what do you see yourself doing? hmmmmmm... Not sure about this one, I don't think I daydream anymore or dream period about me doing stuff, maybe that is apart of the problem. I've always wanted to learn and use sign language and Spanish regularly, and lately, I've had an interest in exploring voice over work.
What have been the happiest most fulfilling moments in your life? community service, church, marriage, motherhood, embracing my natural hair, great discussions with friends and family
If nothing changed in your life in the next 5 years would that be OK? absolutely not

This is one of the tidbits from this chapter that really spoke to me:
"When we are not true to ourselves, to our unique God-given characteristics we lose the power of authenticity, creativity, imagination, and innovation."

A Dream - Do I have one?

Three caterpillars were crawling through a field. Seeing a butterfly pass over them, the first caterpillar said, "Look at that smart aleck up there, flitting around, making us feel stupid." The second caterpillar said, "You know, some day I wish I could fly." The third caterpillar looked up and said excitedly, "I know that guy. He used to be one of us. If he can fly, I know I can too."

-48 Days to the Work You Love by Dan Miller

Today is Martin Luther King's Birthday and Tuesday, January 20 Barack Obama will become the first black president of the United States. I couldn't think of a better day to start my path to become the person I know God has created me to be. I am like the 2nd caterpiller in the story above. For whatever reason I just can't seem to dream, think outside of the box or set high expectations for myself, among many other things that keep me crippled with a fear of change. I've gotten a taste of doing those things by having an all natural child birth and embracing my natural nappy hair and it is just something I want to experience more.

I am in my 30s, picked my major in college because I didn't do well in the major I thought I really wanted. I work for the same company I started with straight out of college (9 years ago) and haven't been interested in or truly challenged at work in years. I'm a wife, mother, Christian, daughter, sister and friend, I cherish all of those roles and wish I had more time and energy to nurture them. That is the short list of what has brought me here. I will use this space to document my journey of living an authentic Christian life and figuring out how to leave a legacy through fulfilling my destiny. My journey begins with a wonderful book I am reading called 48 days to the Work You Love by Dan Miller. I highly recommend it. EXCELLENT, inspirational book and I am only on chapter 4!