What Do You Do?

As an unemployed individual, this is one of the hardest questions to be asked.  It seems to come up a lot. What do you do? I awkwardly fumble through my words rambling about my past job and how now I am doing freelance photography. Usually my response doesn't seem sufficient enough. That could be my own insecurities talking. But as I look back at the person who asked me this question, a new acquaintance, an old classmate, a family friend, or an old coworker I feel unfulfilled. I feel as though my answer about photography, how I am in between jobs right now, and how I am still "finding myself" doesn't seem like enough. I often get a sad look in return and a comment such as "Oh don't worry, you'll figure it out."  I know I shouldn't fret over what others think about me. I know what I have accomplished, I know I have free spirited habits, and I know that I fill my days with things that make me thrive.

What I want to know is why we hold such an importance on what we do for a living? It is a big part of our life and the means for our livelihood but why let that be our value?  Some judgmental comments have left me feeling of lesser value because I am out of work right now.  I've reminded myself that this does not define who I am.  I am surviving self sufficiently on money I previously earned, I'm not living off the system, I am working towards a better me, and I am figuring out my own path.

One day I walked into an Indian store in Providence, RI. The owner was an older gentlemen. We engaged in conversation and he asked me a question. He didn't ask me what I do for work. He asked me "What are you passionate about?" I was intrigued by this question. It wasn't related to what I do for work now it was related to what makes me happy. I thought about my response and we conversed for a while about my passions in life. He then said to me, well then find a way to do that. Fill your time with those things. He even told me to come back once I was fulfilling those dreams. He wanted to hear all about it. He wasn't interested in what I am doing for work now or if I was unemployed. He was engaged by the passion that fills me. After leaving his store I was feeling inspired. I didn't feel depleted from our conversation. I wasn't worried that I wasn't doing what I felt I should be doing in life.  I left the conversation ready to take on the world.

This encounter reminded me of a quote I once read by Howard Thurman, "Don't ask yourself what the world needs; ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive."

So if you are working what seems like a dead end job, if you are unemployed, if you are unhappy with your profession, don't let the judgment of others be a thought on your mind.  Don't let it define your value.

Ask yourself, what is your passion, what makes you come alive? Then go do that!