Opportunity Knocking

Awhile back my friend Sonia and I had an interesting conversation regarding taking risks. Going after your dreams and what not. She started telling me about the risks she's taken in regards to her career. I myself have not taken too many. At least not when it comes to my job. I've always been very scared to do anything that would jeopardize my job.

I am very fortunate to work where I work. I know its a great job. I am well paid, have great benefits and am union. There is many people in my office who have degrees and are sitting right next to me doing the same thing I do. I once asked one of my tub mates (that's what we call people who sit next to you), who has a major in criminal justice, why he doesn't work in his field? He stated that there was more money with this company than working his degree.

There are some perks working in my department. We are given incentives, taken out on "field trips" (when we meet our numbers) and occasionally treated to delicious food. The field trips can vary from a day at Disneyland, Universal Studios or Dave & Busters. Our lunches could be either catered or a BBQ. The best one was Lucille's. That was good eating.

I sometimes wonder if the pay at my job comes with a price. As great as my job sounds, I feel stuck! I feel I can't do anything because I have the worst hours known to man. I come in too late to do anything in the morning and get out too late to do anything in the evening. I can't do crap. Unfortunately, my job isn't exactly flexible with their hours either. Your allowed to trade shifts with someone TWICE a week. What kind of crap is that? I mean if you both agree to changing shifts let's say, for the week, who cares?!? It's our shift! However, that doesn't matter. There is no way for me to get an earlier shift. They either need to hire more people (which they are not) or have all the dinosaurs in our office retire (which they refuse). Basically I'm screwed, or am I?

I think opportunity has finally come knocking on my door. I think I am being given a way out. Am I scared? Yes. Am I nervous? Yes. Am I excited? Yes. Will I regret it? No. I know I will finally be able to purse my goals and do what I want to do. I might not find a job as great as this but, I will find a job. Maybe with less pay but no feeling of being trapped. Maybe with more pay and plenty of happiness. I don't know. What I do know is its time to move on and free myself. I am no longer stuck. I am free.