“To live a life most people don’t, you must be willing to do what most people won’t. The magic you’re looking for is in the work you’re avoiding.”
The claim that people from other countries are flocking here to do work that Americans won’t has some validity, but it’s far from the whole story.
We couldn’t help hearing the construction bosses sitting at the table beside us. One said he had to get to the bank to get cash for his payroll. “Have to pay these folks under the table you know…” His companions chuckled. “Yeah, that’s the way it works.” No concern that they are cheating the people who took these jobs to keep their families fed, albeit probably not well fed. Or that they are cheating their fellow Americans in various ways. Anything to get by on the cheap. We all know this isn’t an isolated case, but nobody wants to talk about it. We also know that many folks, immigrant or not, would gladly work for a living wage, even at menial jobs. But instead, we pass out free cell phones, housing, and health care, so that the system can continue.
There aren’t many teenagers who are willing to earn college money by mowing lawns, or working a fast-food counter. And not many parents who require them to do so. Ranches used to have a lot of hired help for haying and other seasonal work, but most of the ones I know have family members doing that now, and when there’s no family help, they go into debt to buy very expensive equipment in order to do it alone. Meanwhile, a lot of people miss out on the magic of having done an honest day’s work, and the pride that comes with giving it their best shot.
I’m no better. There are jobs I put off, and am uncomfortable with having done so, but unwilling to just pitch in and do what is needed. I dislike washing the car, and excuse the dirty vehicles because of the country roads we travel. That’s valid, to a point, but when in town I notice the shiny ones parked beside me and am ashamed for not caring better for the privilege of having a nice rig to drive. I hate washing windows and it’s getting harder for me to do, but when I finally tackle the job my outlook becomes a lot better for having a clear view on the world. Balancing the checkbook, who enjoys that? But when it’s done, I know exactly where I stand financially, what I can afford, and what would be an irresponsible decision. Best of all, I respect myself for doing the right thing. There’s magic in that, because I treat you better, am less likely to dwell on what’s wrong with the world, and maybe will even find some small ways to improve the corner of it where I live.
Meet me here next week and meanwhile, do your best work. Somebody might like it. Perhaps the somebody will be you.