Lesson 2: Everyone has something to offer

In continuing this "what I've learned" series, we come to the second lesson: everyone has something to offer. This is one of those no shit wisdoms that you don't really take to heart until you experience it for yourself, and I was no exception. I think being raised by two parents with a masters/phd changes your idea of the kind of contributions people can make.

I remember being in first grade, and our class project was to figure out what we wanted to do with our lives. In first grade, the only thing I wanted to do was play with toys, so I figured being a cashier at Toys-R-Us or Target or something would be a great job because you got to handle toys all day. My dad did not approve, and made sure that I did not share that particular sentiment with my class the next day.

I think that view really influenced me, growing up. In that environment, it's almost natural to look down on the choices that led that person to be there. It's interesting, since I've met so many more people, heard so many life stories, and been exposed to different value systems, my view on that has changed. It's not like there are life choices that are right and wrong (within some window, obviously), so long as you are happy. And if you need to make ends meet, there's nothing wrong with any job that helps you do that.

That's something I try to keep in mind every time I meet someone, particularly if they are on the job in food service or something else like that. A friend works a job like that, and mentioned how much she appreciated having people call her by her name, rather than just "waitress." From then on, I've tried to use names, and humanize each person I come into contact with. I'm still working on this. It can be difficult when "the system" is not set up to humanize the working person. If each person is made human, the economy couldn't function the way it does now. The concept of working for a giant faceless corporation, without any of your input valued, would no longer be dominant. I need to think about this more but that was an interesting thought.