I wanna do something real with my life

"BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather" (bugeyedacura)
05/06/2015 at 17:34 • Filed to: None

Personal story to follow the pic.

My father was a salesman too. He sold insurance though. People who call it a crock of shit are lucky enough to have never really needed it. I can remember my father working 10 hours a day, then coming home, and taking calls at the dinner table. The people on the other end were, at that moment, going through some of the worst moments of their lives. And he was the person who help them put it back together. Why can’t I do something like that?

DISCUSSION (14)

CB > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
05/06/2015 at 17:40

There are lots of different ways to help people out. Maybe start volunteering in your spare time?

nermal > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
05/06/2015 at 17:41

You need to understand the effect of actions over time. Your dad didn’t get to that point overnight, and neither will you.

Focus on the things you can do today to improve your position. Don’t compare yourself to anybody except yourself from yesterday. As long as today you is better than yesterday you, you’ll be fine.

MegaSuper > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
05/06/2015 at 17:43

Is what you’re alluding to the sense of “I want to be the person who can make a major difference in someone’s life, given that I am the right person in the right place at the right time” ?

If so, there are plenty of ways you can do that. Law enforcement, firefighter, EMT, doctor, nurse, translator/integration coordinator for new immigrants, etc

Maybe I misunderstood, I don’t know. At the end of the day any career can be “real” in the sense that what you do may be viewed as very important to someone. Even in careers that seem to be out of the general spotlight; you can argue that, say, a musician has a relatively small impact on the overall “keep-things-going-ness” of the world, but the enjoyment they bring someone for just a few moments could be remembered for a lifetime, y’know? Everyone remembers their first concert and all that.

Even if they never tell you directly, there may always be someone out there whose life was made better by what you choose to do, whatever that may be.

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > nermal
05/06/2015 at 17:47

Thanks. I lose perspective of that sometimes.

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > MegaSuper
05/06/2015 at 17:48

Thanks man. I appreciate that.

CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
05/06/2015 at 21:42

You don’t necessarily have to overthrow a government or be the head of a government to help people out. It’s the small things that count. And often, these small actions speak big. Last year, I was on my final year of HS Swim (and swimming in general). There was a freshman who didn’t really swim too well. The good coaches had left, and a pool worker was there to coach us (he didn’t). So I made it a personal goal that he learned to swim correctly and get his skills together. I put my heart and soul into this, and he became a much better swimmer. No one noticed. But I made a change. A small buffing in this imperfect world.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
05/07/2015 at 10:37

I know these feelings. My dad is a retired pastor, and has spent much of his life being right there next to people going through the hardest of times, when they needed someone the most.

I have a good job that supports my family and gives me the ability to give back, but I often wonder if this 9-5 is really meant to be my “life’s work”.

Have you considering being a teacher, or even a coach in your free time? A good, challenging and encouraging teacher or coach can be one of the most influential people in a person’s life.

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
05/07/2015 at 18:29

I used to teach karate. I found myself to be... uneccisarily critical. Im a person who expects a lot of myself, especially when it came to my craft, and I had trouble with others who didn’t do the same.

I would like to do something like be a pastor though. But I have too many deamons. Maybe a counselor of some kind?

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
05/07/2015 at 18:32

Worth pursuing. Start with Big Brothers Big Sisters, perhaps?

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
05/07/2015 at 18:36

It’s hard to volunteer with my schedule though. I work 60 hours a week and try to spend as much of my free time as possible with my wife.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
05/07/2015 at 20:13

40 is enough; I don't know how you handle 60...

NoneOfYourBiz > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
05/08/2015 at 12:29

Kinja'd!!!

More seriously: think about how you do a thing, instead of what you’re doing.

If you’re building landmines, well, perhaps think of something else to do.

Otherwise, how can you do what you’re doing better? How can you help those around you be better?

I went from a very high profile, “sexy” career flying planes, to a desk job.

I do, however, now have more influence on a larger scale and can positively effect change on whole systems, saving the taxpayer a fortune over the long run. I derive deep satisfaction from that where my day to day flying was “fun” but had no real lasting benefit. I did start training other pilots which was satisfying...seeing them go out into the sky and be safe and conscientious. Again, that took me away from the more “fun” and a step toward “satisfying.”

Watch the film “Jiro Dreams of Sushi.” Yes, go, do that NOW. 89 year old sushi chef has been plying his craft for decades. He says on camera “never hate your job. LOVE your job and strive to always be better at it.” This from someone building something as simple (yet complex ) as sushi. He doesn’t build jet engines, he makes food with as much attention to detail.

I hope this helps.

p.s. My insurance agent rocks. The guy gets me, gives me great advice (I’ve checked!) and I know I can count on him in a crisis.

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
05/08/2015 at 19:54

Very begrudingly. And therein lies the rub with car sales. You know why I work 60 hours a week? Because people decide to come in when you’re not on your schedule.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
05/08/2015 at 21:03

I can see that...