I’m posting this conversation that Laura and I had over IM after my "You Are Not the Sum Total of Your Accomplishments" post. I wouldn’t normally post things like this, but I found it an interesting window into our relationship. Bear in mind that my explanation of the post is really me figuring out why I wrote it.
(8/20/08 4:03 PM) Laura:
nice post
(8/20/08 4:04 PM) Laura:
you went a bit all over the place… so I had my doubts, it gets
confusing… You are not your job, but you made a man reconsider his job
and feel loved.
(8/20/08 4:04 PM) Jim:
thanks, I think
(8/20/08 4:04 PM) Laura:
Did he feel loved because you helped him reevaluate his job…then does
that go against the message
(8/20/08 4:05 PM) Laura:
I am still chewing on this.
(8/20/08 4:05 PM) Laura:
not sure it is clear in your post
(8/20/08 4:05 PM) Laura:
hmmm
(8/20/08 4:06 PM) Jim:
your job isn’t what you are
(8/20/08 4:07 PM) Jim:
but HOW you do your job, maybe
(8/20/08 4:07 PM) Jim:
it’s realizing that ALL jobs are service
(8/20/08 4:07 PM) Laura:
ahhh ok… because HOW you do your job helps you serve others
(8/20/08 4:07 PM) Jim:
and it is in service that we touch the divine
(8/20/08 4:07 PM) Laura:
yes I liked that part… that sentiment was unique
(8/20/08 4:07 PM) Jim:
so it’s a question of thinking your job is the TITLE, when in fact it is
how you serve
(8/20/08 4:07 PM) Laura:
It is rarely said… In service we touch the divine
(8/20/08 4:08 PM) Jim:
that way we can appreciate sweeping floors AND being a doctor
(8/20/08 4:08 PM) Laura:
yes I think you need to somewhere in there… reinforce that people get
down when they focus on their job, the tasks the title, the indignities.
(8/20/08 4:08 PM) Jim:
but too many people think being a doctor is the M.D. rather than healing
people serving people
(8/20/08 4:09 PM) Laura:
They should rather take strength and base their dignity on HOW they do
their job, on their service to others… because in serving others we
touch the divine
(8/20/08 4:09 PM) Laura:
ok got it,
(8/20/08 4:10 PM) Laura:
very cool and unique. Like I said I think the posts has this and loses
it… but ends with a bang
(8/20/08 4:10 PM) Jim:
you know I write these things by the seat of my pants, right?
(8/20/08 4:10 PM) Laura:
yes that is why I am giving you feedback
…And therein lies the reason for of our 14 years together 🙂