Did you know I once worked at McDonalds? It’s true. For about two weeks when I was a teenager. A few of my friends worked there and said how much they loved the environment, and talked about the various other opportunities open to them. They were a tribe, these Mc’D’s employees and I thought it could work.
It wasn’t my first job, not by a long shot. I was an “early worker” and started spending my weekends in mall stores before I had a SIN card to get paid. But this seemed like a new adventure, and one I willingly took when I got the call offering my the position.
As all well run places do, they started me in the back. I was working the grill, and very poorly I might add. I wanted to make bigger pancakes, and it was so tiresome to me that I spent most of my day singing.
I lasted 2 weeks, and when I left for the last time I didn’t return, not even to pick up my paycheque. This job wasn’t for me, not in the slightest, but many of my friends found their success through this path and that was just fine in my books.
My journey came through other things that I found when I let go of the stuff that didn’t work. The if, then’s started to pile up in my past as I looked at all the things I had walked away from that ended up bringing me to a more successful place.
I learned to listen to my discomfort and to follow my instinct.
I can tell you this same story, but apply it to any number of things. Friendships, places I have travelled, hobbies I have tried. Dog breeds, types of wine, styles of exercise. For every one thing in this world that I love there are thousands that just aren’t for me.
This is normal.
What is also normal is that I don’t spend my days throwing down white wine drinkers, and knocking their glasses out of their hands while they are taking a sip on a local patio.
Nor do I “warn” my acquaintances about former friends who just aren’y my flavour anymore. Just because they didn’t work out for me, doesn’t mean they won’t bring you joy.
And if you really, REALLY want to, by all means get a border collie. I am SURE you will be able to keep it’s mind challenged and its temperament calm.
Now, if you ask me what my favourite wine is, I will tell you. I will give you suggestions of wine to try, and if you say, I only drink white, I will bring you a bottle of white the next time we have dinner. (Or maybe Prosecco… that is a white I will drink with you)
Sometimes we forget that through life we need to LEARN and make mistakes. That by taking a first step in a journey, and then adjusting our path based on our discomfort with our situation, or our enjoyment of it, we make decisions that will lead us to a better place.
We MUST feel this discomfort to have any idea of what brings us joy. We have to make mistakes, put our foot in our mouth and go too far to be able to understand where our, and others, boundaries are.
It is okay to notice the differences in others. To notice, and appreciate even. And if we can find no appreciation, I suggest we just let them stay on their path, while we hang out over on ours. The world needs this whole mixture of people who do all things, and I think the kindest way to live is to allow them to follow their path in peace.
In short, if working at McDonald’s isn’t for you, don’t go hating on those who are putting in their hours making chicken nuggets. Some people really like chicken nuggets, and others are just fine making them.