Yesterday, I taught a CPR class to one student. I do not normally teach private classes, yet this lady needed the class for a working job interview the next day. She said she is unemployed and is nervous about a working interview. She had never been to a working interview and did not know what it entailed.
I related the CPR class as to a working interview. It was the first time she had met me and is interviewing me as to if she would hire me again. We talk about the interview as a true assessment of her skills and personality.
She paid for the class, took her certification cards and said she could not think of a better way to start the week.
I hope she is gainfully employed the next time she needs my services.
This leads to my thoughts on how I treat my plight for employment that pays.
I have many areas that I do mediocre at. All of which, I do because I love. I wonder when work will become work?
First, I teach classes in Communication and Basic Life Saving. I do these not for the little they pay, I teach because I love it.
Second, I am an EMT. I do not get paid money as a volunteer, I am paid with experience. I do it because I love it.
Third, I am a member of my family with little kids. I pay to hold this position. And I do it because I love it.
I then write to relieve the stress of the above positions, and maybe it will pay one day. I do it because I love it.
Looking back at my early morning student, she was grateful to begin her week with hope. There are times when it is important to pay a little, take the time to learn a skill and then be thankful. Be thankful for the opportunity that we are here to learn, to gain knowledge and have a talent to share.
I am thankful for being able to share. I am thankful for the time I have to read and learn more. I am thankful that I get paid to tell my opinion J in the courses I facilitate. I am thankful for what I learned in my private class.
Leesa, you sound a lot like me! I taught CPR for over 10 years. I am an EMT and I run with a small town fire department. It is amazing how fulfilling those can be. It does not pay much, but oh I love doing it! We all have talents, and happy is the man (or woman) that can work in the things that they love.
ReplyDeleteYou do a lot of good. I wish I could make it pay for you. Or I hope you find a way to make money if you need to and still be able to help others as you do now.
ReplyDeletePatty- I would love to talk with you! and I do love it! I am thinking of volunteering with a FD and not sure if I should.
ReplyDeleteSusan - thank you. I am not sure if I want to be paid, somtimes that takes the service part away. If I can it woudl be nice but not high on the priority right now.
Leesa, thank you for this great post. I totally and completely understand how you feel about being able to share and serve. I love, love, love teaching childbirth education classes and assisting women in childbirth. While I have had a fee structure in place, most of the time I reduce it significantly, or decline payment all together, because my clients are struggling financially and I really, really, want them to have all the information they can get. I love feeling like I was able to make the world a better place for someone else...and myself at the same time! hugs~
ReplyDeleteKari, yes I tend to give many safety classes away for free because I feel the value out-weighs the cost. I am not a very good business person ;-)
ReplyDeleteNow reaching month 4 of unemployment I am ready to volunteer somewhere to get experience. Thx for the post, I think I needed to read this.
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