Guest blogger: Ailsa Wu, Webmaster, 11.22.09
It’s almost Thanksgiving, and I’m feeling thankful for everyday blessings: my wonderful wife, a loving family, loyal friends, plentiful freelance work, good books and food and movies. I am also thankful for a major life event that took place last October, when I felt compelled to leave a job that provided health insurance, a 401(k), and a pension plan to take a part-time preschool position with no financial benefits.
On the surface, this doesn’t seem like something to be thankful for. At the time, I wasn’t sure it was the right move, especially with the country in a recession and our household already in belt-tightening mode. But in terms of quality of life, I’ve gained a lot more than I’ve given up:
- A four-minute commute (as opposed to 1.5 hours).
- The opportunity to work with preschoolers, who are always cute and often entertaining.
- The chance to work with my wife!
- Variety in my workday, instead of 8 hours in front of a computer.
While my bank account might have liked my old job better, I appreciate the intangible benefits of this one so much more. Today (and most days), I find myself giving thanks for this job, which enables me to have a fuller, more enjoyable life outside of work, with time and energy to spend with the people I care about.
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