I’m going to assume that this question refers to physical places, not my mind…because that would top the list if it did.
Aside from those things with sentimental value, I, just like most adults in the world, have things stashed in various places that I don’t need, don’t use, and kept simply because I thought they would be important or useful at some point in the future. During a recent “clutter purge” I found notes and forms related to a bank account that has been closed for the better part of ten years.
Truth be told, I have been making an effort to remove things from my environment that have no use or sentimental value. Old notebooks from work, items I obtained with the intention of using them but never did, trinkets that I thought were “freaking awesome” forever ago, but really are just crap. It’s actually serving to tame the daily level of anxiety that I experience, which is an unexpected benefit. My environment is not, has never been and will never be hospital-grade organized, to be clear. Even at its best, my mind is too chaotic for that.
This is not a result of this prompt, but in reading a book I got recently, I had a thought.
What if I opened a shop as an apothecary?
In most situations, I have issues with modern medicine, especially medications. I prefer natural remedies. If there is a tea, a natural food or spice, or something non-pharmaceutical I can do to deal with my issue, I would much rather do that than pop a pill. Bronchitis? Hot toddy, or the nonalcoholic lemon juice, honey, and water. Indigestion? Ginger tea. Anxiety or panic attack? Breathing exercises. Mother nature has remedies for almost everything that ails us.
Crazy, maybe, but why not learn more (bonus!) and turn my distaste for chemical pharmacology into a business where I can help people and show them how to help themselves in the future? Interesting thought….
While I’d love to be able to give some grand answer about ending world hunger or being a massive philanthropist or groundbreaking doctor or brilliant researcher, I can’t say any of that. I have come to realize that my mission in life is a bit simpler. And admittedly, I do not yet know the purpose of said mission, I just know what I feel impelled to do.
My mission in life is to learn as much as I possibly can, spread kindness, and to help others in whatever way I can, large or small.
Direct day to day influence on my actions? Myself, my dogs, my husband, my friends, my boss. My bank account – because who doesn’t want to take a private jet to a weekend getaway anywhere they want??
Influence on how I choose to live my life? That’s a story…. But, the short list is: my parents, my grandmother, the idea of (i don’t remember her) my paternal grandmother, and the simple, overwhelming knowledge that there is more to life. Every thing, every person, every situation or every place – there is more to each of them than we will ever know. Our knowledge of the truth of existence is minuscule, at best.
Tell us about your first day at something — school, work, as a parent, etc.
The first day of anything can be the start of many things – a lesson, an adventure, a whole other life. My first day story is the start of a transformation from a position of dire necessity to a job where I thrive, learn regularly, and love what I do.
It was a cold, wet day in February. Flurries still fell, though the brunt of the storm had passed overnight. I was up early – I had to be at my new job through the temp agency at 8am. I was nervous, but not normal first day jitters. I had to do well. I needed this job. I had been unemployed for over a year, and my husband had just been laid off. It was do or die time.
My husband dropped me off at the entrance, wished me luck and went off to do his thing for the day. I walked in, confused by the lack of anyone in the front office. I finally found one of the guys from the warehouse, and told him who I was looking for and that it was my first day. “I dunno anyone by that name.” He furrowed his brow. “Hold on.” He ran off, and returned a few minutes later with someone who proceeded to tell me that I was looking for the company on the other side of the building. Oh, ok. Time check – 5 minutes before I’m late. Got it. I thanked them, walked out, and started walking around the building. I walked. And walked. And walked. Seems an industrial building with 150,000 square feet has a bigger footprint than I thought.
A few minutes later, I walked into the correct office, late and well-chilled. I was grateful for the warmth in the office, but soon wound up regretting that I wore a sweater. The ladies in the front each had a space heater and their small office started to feel like a sauna as I awaited the person who would give me more info on the job. In a whirlwind of information, I was given a computer login, tattered notebooks of handwritten instructions, a few product books, and some high-speed training on the multi-line phone system. I left that day exhausted and overwhelmed.
15 years and a remodel later, the building is still vast, but far less intimidating than it was that first day. In my time with this company, I have worked in 5 different departments, learned SQL, and earned my CPIM credential. Certainly not what I was expecting when I walked in, but something I am grateful for. I joke that my job title should be “Professional Problem Solver”, because that is essentially what I do every day – I solve problems and find ways to make people’s job easier and them more effective at doing it. I love it.
A Peculiar Cerebral Tangle 