In other words, I expected to be bored.
Instead, I walked into a lovely outdoor theater surrounded by trees, was loaned a folding "chair" with a comfortable seat and back support for the bleachers, and sipped on a glass of wine while I enjoyed a perfect, balmy summer evening.
Much to my surprise, the play was set in the early 1900's, just at the start of WWI in Europe. The costumes reflected that era as did the scenery and mannerisms of the actors.
But, didn't Shakespeare write his plays during the late 1500's and early 1600's? I did not understand.
Because we had arrived early, we joined a group lecture led by one of the university professors who told us some background on the play, things to look for, and interesting facts about Shakespeare and his publications. I found out that Shakespeare festivals frequently change up the era of the play to give it a new feel.
This made me start to think. If this concept of changing up the familiar to produce a new, energized production worked for the Shakespeare Festival plays, might it also apply to life?
As many of you know, I recently returned to my old job with my former employer following a yearlong sabbatical, failed retirement, extended vacation, break from reality...the terms to describe this time of my life are as complicated as they are numerous.
I have been back to work for a while now and in many ways it feels like I never left. Most of the people are the same, the job functions are similar, and my computer muscle memory is coming back in unexpected ways.
I find I really like dressing up in my corporate casual work clothes every morning. I enjoy the daily interactions with my co-workers: the joking, the stories, the good morning and how was your weekend. I even enjoy my thirty minute commute - thank you podcasts!
But, there are some aspects I forgot about while I was gone and find are not so pleasant...sitting all day in one place staring at a computer, the tedium of working reports and spreadsheets every day all day, the feeling of isolation as I sit alone in my corner cubicle...
I forgot how difficult it is for me to get up at 5:30am and how early I now want to seek out the comfort of my bed the night before. How easy it is to do nothing instead of something in the evening after making dinner for the two of us. How familiar it is to sit at my desk and snack the day away, forgetting to get up and stretch.
I went back to my same company because they needed me and I needed them. I needed the pay, the health insurance and the stability. They needed someone with my skills to help catch things that were falling through the cracks. I should be feeling grateful, but instead see myself as stuck in Golden Handcuffs - locked into a job because of all the material things it provides me but not feeling the excitement, challenge or joy of a job well done.
This needs to change.
A friend of mine recently said that if you don't love getting up in the morning to go to work, you should be looking for a new job. For many people, this is probably true. But maybe, for some of us, instead of starting over in a new job, the key to satisfaction is to reinvent the one we have. Perhaps we could learn from the Shakespeare Festival folks and try to re-imagine our current jobs with our current companies so that they do become something we look forward to each day.
I am beginning to think that loving a job needs to start with loving ourselves - searching out the positive and not letting the negative thoughts take over. If we want the best for not only ourselves but those around us, aren't we are more likely to make the best of our situation?
So, I sit at a desk in front of a computer all day. Who says I can't walk away for a few minutes of interaction with my fellow employees and allow myself the occasional break? I do reports all day. Why don't I use those reports as springboards for teaching moments? I snack too much at my desk. Bad habits are meant to be broken - maybe now is the time?
I was asked to return to work and I agreed. It is up to me whether I fall into the I wish I were still retired trap or embrace the challenge of now that I am here, what can I do to help...myself and others.
Life reimagined...what a lovely idea...whose time has come.
