No one bothered to ask me if I liked my second job, picking up trash after business hours. Then again, no one ever knew. I was 14 at the time, and my after school activity consisted of helping my mom with her 3rd job as a janitor. For years it was an embarrassment, a feeling of shame. At the same time, it was hurtful seeing my mother on her knees scraping gum from the floor with a knife.
My parents had split up when my two brothers and I were still young. Although we weren’t necessarily a low-income family, we worked hard and contributed and helped to do our part for the family. So twice a week, my older brother, mom, and I would clean a few offices around town. It became a family task, shaving off time and labor together.
I pitied myself for being a janitor; I hated it. No respect, low status, with low pay, what is there to like? Over time though, I began the appreciate it; and strangely enough, it helped shape the person I am today. Each basket full of trash was a problem, a problem that took up space, just useless clutter taking up valuable room. Applying this principle to my life, trash symbolizing my problems would occupy my mind. So like emptying the trash, I got rid of all the dirt that proved hazardous to myself. The more I completed my homework, the more my work would shine. I also applied myself by taking on challenging classes, putting sincere effort into my studies. Besides putting aside a few hours a week to help my family, I have managed a part-time job ever since my high school freshman year. Although working infringes upon my study time, this small setback only pushes me harder, allowing me to learn responsibility through time management.
My unhappy status as a janitor sparked my ambition to help others who are less fortunate. I became active in my clubs and community, replacing self-pity with pride and delight. I soon learned the more trash I weed out, the more room I had for light, for growth. I have grown into a person of wisdom and leadership, even becoming president of my class. This is what I want others to see; I want to change lives; I want to inspire. I picked up the knowledge I never thought possible, all from picking up the trash.
Be proactive. You design your life. You choose happiness. You choose sadness. You choose ambivalence. You choose success. You choose failure. You choose fear. You have the freedom the choose.
Peace, Love and Stiff Cocktails 