A New Answer to an Old Question

8/14/2018

I’ve heard that every question contains its own answer. The question for me was, “Would I ever be happy doing anything if I was working for someone else?”

My pipiest pipe dream was to stay home and write all day. The Zen masters say it shouldn’t matter what I’m doing because peace and joy come from within. True—or it would be if I was a Zen master. Since I’m not—yet—I couldn’t pretend like there wasn’t a pent-up artist (and I use the term “artist” very loosely here) clawing to get out.

But would I only be happy and fulfilled in work if I was writing all day? Half the time I cringe at the thought of turning on my computer. The piles of unfinished novels can attest to my “I want to when I want to and don’t when I don’t,” attitude. Sometimes even when the spirit is willing the words don’t appear.

So what else was there? Was it possible to work in another line of business and not be completely miserable?

The things that are important to me in a job now aren’t what they used to be. Once upon a time getting paid to sit on my ass in a comfy office chair was enough. I’m not sure at what point that changed, only that perfectly solid jobs with the singular purpose of a paycheck  started slowly sucking out my soul.

The intention of the job series on myinnerculture was two-fold. I wanted to know if anyone was actually fulfilled in the work that garnered them a paycheck, and I was pleasantly surprised to learn that YES, some of you are. I also wanted to share my discontent with my previous employment choices to pave the way for where I am now. No, I’m not getting paid to sit home in pajama pants and click away at the keyboard. (I’m a writer…I never said I was good). But somewhere along the line I realized there were other interests I could explore, and I wasn’t doomed to misery if I was doing something for money that didn’t include writing.

I left a damn good job in transportation before going to Brazil because it lacked one key element: purpose. My plan was to take a few months off when I returned from my trip to focus on healing, then really get clear about my next career endeavor. The universe, as it happens, had other plans.

Before I left for South America, I got a text from my dear friend Lori. She connected me with a woman who was looking for help while her office administrator went on maternity leave. Since it was a temporary way of making a few bucks and extending my leave from a “real” job, I agreed to talk to her. The job was Tuesdays through Thursdays, 9-5. Wonderful! I had wanted part-time hours for almost a year.

Oh, and it just so happened that the woman who would become my new boss cured herself from stage 4 cancer using enzyme therapy and other natural treatments, which were the basis for her life’s work. No chemo or radiation. No B.S. And did I mention she loved Dr. Joe Dispenza as much as I did?

As inspiring as our nearly hour-long phone conversation was, the timing didn’t work. I was gone on trips to both Brazil and Canada during the time they needed me to train. However, I agreed to swing by when I got back from Brazil to check it out.

When I did, she hired me before the day was over.

The miraculous story of how she cured herself of cancer when the doctors could only “make her comfortable” went live on chrisbeatcancer.com while I was in Brazil. Suddenly her business was exploding and she not only needed help while the office administrator was on maternity leave, she wanted to keep me permanently regardless of my availability.

A small part of me rejected the idea because it ran counter to my post-Brazil plans for taking time off. A larger, rather mystified, part knew that opportunity was knocking and for once I was home! A job that I didn’t even know existed fell in my lap, and ticked off nearly every box I could ask for:

Part time. Four day weekends every weekend

In line with my values and beliefs

Working for a woman who was inspiring thousands in her own healing journey

A chance to learn and practice new ways of healing for myself

Being on the front lines with other like-minded people looking to break from traditional medicine and heal in ways they never thought possible

Could it be more perfect?

So, can I be happy in a job that isn’t centered on writing? I’m about to find out.