I had this sense when I was waiting tables that anyone not doing that had the best life in the world. I would listen to people talk about how busy they were or how they had to stay home to let the plummer in, or pick their kids up at school and I'd think, "What a luxury." Everything that wasn't waiting tables, having to be there in the evenings, losing that part of the day, some part of myself, was an unfathomable luxury. It felt prison-y. Or at least indentured servant-y. I was actually ministered to by watching Downton Abbey. It allowed me to come up for air, to realize I wasn't a real servant, I wasn't working from dawn till dusk every single day, in the excesses of one family. I wasn't in a lower class, I could go to and be served at a restaurant once in a while if I desired. I was free to find different work. And it took a while to find, but I fought for it, and I did find it and I'm keeping my eye out for more or different, but I don't have to work at a restaurant right now and if I ever do again I will only accept a place that is mature and respectful. I will never work for someone or some place that makes me feel trapped.
I don't want to feel trapped. I don't want other people to feel trapped either. I don't want other people to be so stuck that anything other than what they are doing feels like a luxury. But I can't just say I believe it like a camp counselor and then send them home and wish them luck. I can't tell people that they can change their life or live their dream because I think they can. I can have that valid voice only when I have fought, honoring my values, for the life I want and achieved it. Not like some high holy hill of finality, but of learning the discipline to daily pursue and do and figure out how to pay for the dreams that I am making into a reality.
Earn that voice.
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