Today was the first day at my new job. I’ve got a new view on cleaning toilets. It’s not really a new view, more like a reminder. I’ve always believed, especially being a manager, that the higher up the ladder you go, you should still always stay grounded. Remembering where you came from, or what the people that work hard for you go through to make you look good. Today I cleaned toilets, took out trash, did some dishes, and took orders from someone who needed to feel important today. I had fun and felt like the new guy again. That uncomfortable, awkward place where you’re not quite sure what to do with yourself so you don’t either look smug or stupid. It was awesome!
Along with the new guy feeling and the re-grounding, I have a renewed appreciation for work. It wasn’t even 4 weeks ago I had told my daughter that if I got a job shoveling poo, I would do it. I’m grateful that’s not what came through. And for the first time in 13 years I was told to take a lunch break, worked for only 8 hours, and got off exactly when I was scheduled to. I didn’t know what to do with myself on the lunch break, so I sat in the car and read. This whole 8 hour thing might be something I could get used to as well. Crazy..
Life is too short.. I hear that phrase a lot. Live with no regrets is another one I hear. A friend of mine recently lost their grandma and had to leave town abruptly for the memorial. The person they lost meant alot to the entire family, and I wonder if they got to say goodbye, or if they regret missing an opportunity recently to do so. I don’t want to have regrets with family. I do have regrets, most of them.. no, all of them are with past relationships and not listening to my parents (they do know what they’re talking about.. all the time). Regardless if admitting to regrets makes me look weak.. it doesn’t change what they are. With family though, I want no regrets. I don’t want to grow old and have issues with my brothers that causes us to not talk for weeks, or months, or years. I don’t want to miss an opportunity to get closer and develop that “sister(in-law)” bond I always wanted growing up. I don’t want to feel like I didn’t show my parents enough appreciation for all the things they’ve done for me (and continue to do). I don’t want to wake up one day and realize that I missed my last chance to listen to my grandma tell me a story about how things were when they got their first indoor toilet, or how my grandpa flew a glider in WWII only to crash into enemy territory and have to make his way out on his own. I don’t want to miss an opportunity to give a woman and a baby standing in the freezing snow at a bus stop a ride 4 minutes out of my way because I was too busy with my own distractions. I want, when I grow old to have a peace that I didn’t miss any important opportunity to build a relationship and impact every person I get to know just as much as they have impacted me. And when I die, I want no one to have a regret with me, or to feel as though I couldn’t have tried harder or loved more passionately. I’m not going to miss any more opportunities to take a gutter bath in the rain, listen to every story from anyone that wants to tell me, find special ‘treasures’ with my kids, and to love someone for no other reason but because of who they are. I will live my life to die with no regrets.