I've been a Letterman fan since I was a kid. Recently Dave was chatting with guest Amy Sedaris in untypically confessional terms about the people he has on show. She asked him, "If you could change one thing about your show… who would you have on?"Dave easily answered, "People who actually do something with their lives. I feel sometimes as if I’m a pimp for the motion picture company... ask me if I care if anyone goes to see King Kong."
He went on to talk about how the real fun he has is using his show to try things outside his personality. For instance, when Jennifer Aniston was on the show she wasn't open to extended chatting about too many things. He spoke about how he asked her to come to his house to continue the conversation over cup of coffee, adding that he was absolutely serious because "This is a complex from high school where there was no way I could ask a girl like Jennifer Aniston to come visit me at my house."
While I'm not all that interested in having coffee with Jennifer Aniston, I was tracking with this idea that there is always a perk to a job... even one that you aren't crazy about. We all have stuff that we're required to do that we don't like (for instance, I'm not a big fan of my current 75 minute commute). However, there is usually a perk that that keep us doing it (like for me, I enjoy teaching for life transformation, building friendships, helping the church get healthier, and even the surface level side of receiving a simple paycheck to help pay the bills).
What works for you with your job?What can't you stand?
And what kind of percentage of your job do you think you need to actually like in order to do it well (i.e. 50%, 20%, 70% etc)?
"Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men." (Ephesians 6:7)
8 comments:
Sounds like you've been processing through this well, Melanie. I have some friends in Texas and know that the ministry opportunities there are ripe.
Vin Diesel and coffee don't seem to go together for me any more than Jennifer Aniston. I'll happily stick with my lovely wife.
My new DVR has allowed me to start watching Letterman again! There was no way I could stay up until 12:30, but watching him when I get home from work is something to really look forward to.
As a high school teacher, the perks are when you have one of those really great moments with a student, when you connect over more than just the work. Instilling enthusiasm in the subject is another one. Oh yeah, and summers.
I can't stand defiance and I've had a lot of that this year. It's also hard to walk that line of not really being able to share my faith, which is, after all, who I am. I'm up front with my kids about preaching on the side, so at least they know that much. Sometimes it leads to good discussions. But most of the time I have to obey the law. Ugh.
I also hate beaurocracy and politics, both of which the teaching profession has in spades.
That's great stuff... I almost became a HS teacher and think that would have been my alternate profession had I not gotten into pastoring. Then again, you are on the frontlines so who's to say who is the pastor anyway?
I have a buddy who teaches and once told me, "No one gets into this thing for the summers off. But once you have your first one and still get paid, no one wants to give that up."
My wife and I were on Letterman's show in November of 2004. Not as guests - in case there was a need to clear that up. We were in the 3rd row and got on TV (no autographs please). We did get to meet Rupert. I have liked Letterman since the velcro suit days, and over the years we have seen his heart become...the heart who knows there is more. His heart surgery, the first show after 9-11, the birth of his son - one can see glimpses that he knows there is more to this life that glitz and glam. My wife and I continue to believe for his salvation. Who knows maybe he's already there.
Anyway, my job pays the bills. I am thankful to have a job where I can apply what I have learned and work hard to become better. Flex time is a nice perk, and the option to listen to music if I so desire (earphones only). I know God has more for me, but my focus is to remain faithful where I am and work as unto the Lord until it is His time to move me on.
Unemployed at the moment, and enjoying being a bum, sadly. But there is an opening nearby that can vaguely be described as being paid to read. That always sounds good, especially for a book junkie such as myself.
My previous paying job was as a university part time assistant lecturer, and the paycheck wasn't exactly what I'd thought it would be. I tithed anyway, and blew much of it on books and coffee with friends. I'm not teaching now, but going back to the the department the other day made me realize that I don't miss it, which may mean that teaching isn't for me. I'm 24, and the quarter life myth dictates that you should look for a career and figure it out as soon as possible. I'm still young, and God definitely has something for me. Even if it's being paid to read for a book selling company.
Be sure you have a good pair of glasses, Pammu. I had a friend who used to get paid to test video games... then he busted up his hand and had to give up the job. Crazy.
Sounds like you feel a little challenged in your work lately?
Am I reading too much into things?
Thanks for asking... not really feeling challenged in any negative way. Just thinking about why we do what we do and what it takes to be authentic with the ups and downs.
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