This is a great meditation on work. I've cycled through jobs, and for years this carried a strange, opaque shame. Why couldn't I find the thing? My purpose! My perfect spot to excel! Although many successes came and went, the wiggling feeling that I was doing it all wrong persisted. Writing puts space between the feeling and the experience. A focus on that space, rather than the scope of "job as life," eases the tension. Meaning is often found, for me, in the space between, not in the thing itself. Finally, someone (it was my therapist) appointed me the title "creative seeker," and that felt a little more snug and secure. Anyway... I'm going to give this prompt a go. And it brought to mind A&P by John Updike — a masterful example of finding mystery, wonder, and growth in the mundane moments of the job.
Thank you for mentioning Updike's story. I haven't read it in a decade. I’ll look it up again. Beautifully said ... writing provides that space indeed.
First job was a paperboy. (When there we such things) Then I worked on a golf course in the summers. Had music gigs with a band for several years. Got into radio. My main career for decades. Then tenured college professor. Then freelance mentor and writing teacher. All this along with my writing and publishing. I wouldn't of had it any other way. The next best question is what job would you HAVE LIKED to have, even if just for a short time?
Jobs are indeed a great source of inspiration. I recently made some notes on the one day I played an extra in my friend’s movie and the one day I was a hair model in Paris. I hope I will take the time to write these essays or stories.
The waves of my career have lapped the shores of art, music, engineering, medicine, computer programming, and philosophy. I’ve invented surgical devices, played banjo, fiddle, and other traditional instruments for barn dances, drawn cartoons (my most ubiquitous work of art is the non-linguistic opening instructions on child-resistant caps). I’ve had countless jobs, and it’s been an interesting life, so far. In my later years, I have turned toward writing as my primary artistic expression. I write in philosophy, because, for the most part, our passion for knowing does not generally care to dwell with what is worthy of thought. Thank You for the lovely column and inspiring prompt.
What a dynamic view into your multitudes, Samantha. Reading this makes me want to take you to coffee and interview you about your life. I share your sentiment around philosophy.
Thank You for Your sweet reply. I would love to have coffee with You, sometime. If You ever find Yourself in Rockford, Illinois, come by for pasta. I’m currently gearing up to start a Substack called “PHISBE.” A PHISBE is a Picture of How It Should Be. Human Beings are constantly-running, fully-automatic PHISBE machines, and these PHISBE can cause a lot of trouble in Reality (from one’s personal life and relationships to international affairs). It’s just weird that no one seems to talk about them. So, please watch that space for upcoming writings.
This is a great meditation on work. I've cycled through jobs, and for years this carried a strange, opaque shame. Why couldn't I find the thing? My purpose! My perfect spot to excel! Although many successes came and went, the wiggling feeling that I was doing it all wrong persisted. Writing puts space between the feeling and the experience. A focus on that space, rather than the scope of "job as life," eases the tension. Meaning is often found, for me, in the space between, not in the thing itself. Finally, someone (it was my therapist) appointed me the title "creative seeker," and that felt a little more snug and secure. Anyway... I'm going to give this prompt a go. And it brought to mind A&P by John Updike — a masterful example of finding mystery, wonder, and growth in the mundane moments of the job.
Thank you for mentioning Updike's story. I haven't read it in a decade. I’ll look it up again. Beautifully said ... writing provides that space indeed.
First job was a paperboy. (When there we such things) Then I worked on a golf course in the summers. Had music gigs with a band for several years. Got into radio. My main career for decades. Then tenured college professor. Then freelance mentor and writing teacher. All this along with my writing and publishing. I wouldn't of had it any other way. The next best question is what job would you HAVE LIKED to have, even if just for a short time?
That's a lovely portrait. Yes, I adore writing and teaching ... all the things I do now. I also enjoyed the study of early work, just not for long. 🙂
Jobs are indeed a great source of inspiration. I recently made some notes on the one day I played an extra in my friend’s movie and the one day I was a hair model in Paris. I hope I will take the time to write these essays or stories.
I'd love to read these essays, Claire.
The waves of my career have lapped the shores of art, music, engineering, medicine, computer programming, and philosophy. I’ve invented surgical devices, played banjo, fiddle, and other traditional instruments for barn dances, drawn cartoons (my most ubiquitous work of art is the non-linguistic opening instructions on child-resistant caps). I’ve had countless jobs, and it’s been an interesting life, so far. In my later years, I have turned toward writing as my primary artistic expression. I write in philosophy, because, for the most part, our passion for knowing does not generally care to dwell with what is worthy of thought. Thank You for the lovely column and inspiring prompt.
What a dynamic view into your multitudes, Samantha. Reading this makes me want to take you to coffee and interview you about your life. I share your sentiment around philosophy.
Thank You for Your sweet reply. I would love to have coffee with You, sometime. If You ever find Yourself in Rockford, Illinois, come by for pasta. I’m currently gearing up to start a Substack called “PHISBE.” A PHISBE is a Picture of How It Should Be. Human Beings are constantly-running, fully-automatic PHISBE machines, and these PHISBE can cause a lot of trouble in Reality (from one’s personal life and relationships to international affairs). It’s just weird that no one seems to talk about them. So, please watch that space for upcoming writings.