It is always exciting to see young people grasp hold of the passion God has given them and embark on their life’s journey. We have all been there. You take that first job as an entry-level John Doe, in hopes of one day climbing the Corporate Ladder. You cut that first head of hair, as an official barber. Whatever it is. But…..if you are not careful, the passion that drove you into your career will one day dwindle and the harsh reality of what you are left with is complacency.
The ugly truth is that you know the complacency of which I speak. The even uglier truth is that it can happen to you. The one that leads you to give less-than-mediocre service at a restaurant or business. I have also seen it, on occasion, from teachers who had been in the industry so long that they were tainted with years of disobedient children and bureaucracy and forgot their love of children.
I was thinking of this very thing, recently. As I have mentioned many times, I love single moms and have a passion to help hurting women — all kinds. I have heard just about every story you can imagine. There are only so many abuse stories you can hear that move you to tears and honestly, at some point, you become a little numb. That was certainly the case with me, until I met “Natasha”. I was sitting with her and listening to her tragic story of abuse and it just never ended. The more I sat there, I found myself sitting on the edge of my seat, leaning in, and hanging on her every word.
As the story took a number of twists and turns, I learned she was pregnant by her stepfather, a prostitute, a high school drop out, a single mother of 2, a drug addict, a rape victim, a molestation victim, on and on and on. She was 19 years old. Her story gripped me. It haunted me. I had to get up and literally leave the room once because the weight of her story came crashing down on me and I needed to come out for air, before I could continue with her. I left that meeting physically ill.
Some of you read Single Parents Town because your friends write here and you show support. Others read here because you went through a divorce and seek encouragement from these pages. While still others read because you work with single parents or know one.
I want each of you to know this. Your profession, your choice, your career is designed to make a difference. Maybe you push paper and crunch numbers and never thought of it that way, but it is. It is meant to make a difference in the lives of those in your office, your restaurant, your salon, or your school. Do not ever think that what you do is insignificant. Do not ever think that your sphere of influence is too small. Do not ever think that the “Natasha’s” of the world are not in your world. They are. They come in all shapes, colors, and sizes, and your smile, your kind service, your desire to make a difference — truly does just that!
Author/Speaker, Jennifer Maggio, is considered one of the nation’s leading authorities on single parent issues. She has been featured on countless radio and television programs and leaves audiences riveted. For more information, visit http://www.thelifeofasinglemom.com.
God Bless you we are on the same quest…been there.
Beautiful! Thank you for sharing. So very true!