Chris and I went out to dinner last night with a super cool couple – Max and Sarah from Handcrank Films.
We went to Anthony‘s and watched the most amazing sunset, complete with hundreds of seagulls drifting up on air currents and a double rainbow! It was entirely picturesque and reminded me why I live in Bellingham – because the 4 days a year that it’s not raining or having an epic windstorm that rips my roof off and breaks my retail store windows, it’s gorgeous.
Dinner was delightful and I was entirely inspired by Max’s theory on working to live and not the other way around. When he mentioned that he worked 40 hours a week or less, I about fell off my chair in jealous amazement. Here’s a small business owner – and a successful one! – who is living the dream of working a normal week while still running his own show.
When the entire table, spouses included, started animatedly talking about what work meant to each of us, I realized that it’s easy for me to put in 70 hour weeks routinely because I love what I do. I literally work my hobby. It’s a dream job. I’m surrounded by people I genuinely respect and admire. I have an amazing customer base. And, I get to immerse myself in soap, toiletries and good smelling things all day long. What’s not to love? So, when I find myself logging into work at 10 p.m. at night, it’s not with a heavy heart and irritation. I log into work with supreme joy and anticipation over what I will find and be able to accomplish.
Last night, over brownie fudge sundae dessert at the Bellweather, surrounded by great new friends and in a wonderful atmosphere, I felt so lucky and blessed. I’m going to try to hold onto that feeling for the rest of the week.
