Hello all! Quick apology to you for my AWFUL grammar and spelling. First off, I type how I speak and sometimes it isn’t translated correctly through my fingers when I write. Second, I like being authentic with you, so I write my posts the day I publish. It’s messy and in a rush and I write in 30 minutes. I’m currently still in my work clothes from job #1 and about to go to job #2 for the day… yay for me!
I have never really not did anything. As a child, I was constantly being bussed around to different activities and sports and nothing really changed when I became an adult (me?? An adult???) I have always been busy, mostly because I don’t know what to do without doing something. While its a necessity for me to work to even survive, I also think of what I would do with all my ‘free time’. I could wake up at whatever time in the morning (or afternoon) and just hang out all day. Would I be a better person or different? I blame my lack of interaction with those close to me on work, because it’s true, but what if I didn’t have so much going on? To be honest, I think I would get bored. While yes, I struggle with the balance of living my life versus living to work, I ask this: Is what I am doing now making me happy? If it doesn’t make me happy, will it make me happy eventually? Do we honestly enjoy running? Sure, some people do, but for the rest of us, no. It’s hell. It sure doesn’t make us happy now. But it will make us happy later as we see our health and bodies change for the better.
Working so much has been a humbling experience. I started my first job at 16 as a hostess in a restaurant. Everyone always complains about how awful their first job was, but honestly, I was so blessed to really love it. As the baby of the group, (nobody puts baby in a corner), I was protected and loved on. I was intrigued with how many different walks of life there was working there, whether it be a single mother working a couple days a week to bring home cash, a veteran, someone fresh out of rehab, and those who didn’t know what they wanted to do yet with their lives. They are dreamers, of the best kind. Sitting around after close while we cleaned and rolled silverware, I would listen to those dreams and take in all the life lessons that I could.
It was very coming of age for me, to be in an environment where I was safe and protected but was also free to branch out on my own and listen to conversations, understand, and learn things. I was raised in a very sheltered home, and coming to work where the kitchen staff would swear and bang pots, listen to loud rock music, and make yummy food for everyone when we closed was very eye-opening. Obviously, I have changed so much since then, the difference between freshly turned 16 year old Alexandra who would rather be at work than anywhere else to the 20 year old Alexandra who talk to her plants for fun….
I think that first job really saved my life, honestly. At 15, my parents had split and we were in a very nasty divorce. I was in a very dark place, and although being at home with my family was wonderful, I was blessed to find a home away from home, where people didn’t who I was and I could have fun with the adults. It was a sense of security not only from ridiculous guests with wandering hands and eyes, but also the life I was scared to return to when I clocked out after a long day of work.
Not only was it relief from pain, but it was the first time in my life I was really and truly proud of myself. I have had to take care of myself since I was about 15 years old and I never really appreciated the concept of money until I didn’t have any. They say that money is the root of all evil, however money never made me cry…. the love of money is the root of all evil. As I made my own money for the first time in my life, working long hard hours for it, I was proud of my dedication. Of course, it didn’t really seem like work because I enjoyed being there so much, but regardless, I was able to pay bills and help support my family.
I truly believe that everyone should work a job in the service industry, whether in dining or retail or hotel. It gives you a big eye opener to what really goes on in the background. You also become a better consumer through understanding the hard work.
As I always say, “Walk into a restaurant with your humility, leave with tips and a sweaty brow. Walk into a restaurant with your pride, and it will only let you down.”
Serving others is hard work. I’m not talking about giving out food or writing down orders, although that’s also very tricky. I’m talking about the personalities and attitudes one deals with. When I first started working, it would be a challenge to bite my tongue and not express my hurt or frustration. Who are we kidding, it’s still a challenge. If someone is rude to me at a table, I can’t just starting yelling and screaming (maybe mentally, ie fake smiles go a long way) If I wasn’t at work and someone said something rude or offensive to me, you better believe I would address it. At work, not so much. Sometimes, it is best to bite your tongue and go about your work and day.
Leaving you with this…. Tip your servers, don’t make a mess of the table, and enjoy yourself. It makes the world go round.
Enjoy this song, by Miss Dolly Parton…. Gotta love her!!!
Today’s Mantra:
“I AM free of any limiting thoughts, beliefs or patterns.”
Work hard to love. The reward is so fulfilling.
Blessings, A
Little Alexx Blog 