Love your honesty, Andrew. Thank you. And it does suck.....but it ain't over yet. Hang in there. You've got what it takes. This all said from an eighty year old woman. Patty
Andrew, thank you for your complete honesty in this essay and for your courage in sticking with it long enough to get a job. I'm sure you will be a blessing to the kids you help! By the way, see Roland Merullo's writing for inspiration. He's one of my favorite authors and it took him decades of writing along with driving a cab, being a carpenter, teaching, etc. to finally be able to make a living on just his writing. You remind me of him: decent, big heart, compassionate, funny. Good luck!!!
Tana told me that you were taking a job, and she suggested I wait until you described it to me. So thank you for sharing this gut wrenching decision to actually have a “real” job. Just remember that it will be what you make it. No one will interfere with your management of the tasks as long as the results are positive. So design the position to emphasize your strengths and add some new learning to the equation as well. You will be marvelous as long as you are not behind a desk or computer all day. Never conclude a work day without having done FUN.
Turns out, you can teach a 35 year old dog new tricks. What a glorious testimony to the capacity to change - attitudes, orientations, dreams, jobs. Hoping you can feel how grateful I am for all that has gone into making you a wondrous working stiff. Big love.
The epiphany at the end seems powerfully real. The idea that doing a 9 to 5 is more difficult than walking across America. Wow, Andrew. I'm looking forward to your other discoveries on the Working Man's daily commute. Respect, indeed. This sort of job can very much fit your vocation as a healer-writer-changer-of-the-world. Thank you.
Just stumbled across your page and I'm thoroughly impressed and inspired by the honesty and self-awareness in your writing. I'm 32 and I can relate to so much of what you've shared here--not a father yet, but long to be. Haven't given up on my dreams yet either... but also trying to figure out how in the world I'm supposed to support a family one day. I got a part-time job as a barista for now after years of failed business ventures and burning out. Now considering a full-time job as well. It's been a hard but humbling and beautiful journey, and I'm excited to see where God leads me next. Thanks for the inspiration.
Stefano
P.S. I know this post is over a year old, so not sure if you'll see this but if you do -- I'd be very curious to hear how things are going for you with the job and everything. Perhaps you've written an update... I'll look forward to checking out more of your work when I have some time.
Andrew, I truly appreciate what you have written here. I find it interesting that I see myself as the opposite of you. I started working at a machine shop right out of high school and am now the Director of Quality at a large non-profit, but have remained in aerospace for 40 years now. 40 YEARS. I love my job and the challenges it brings, and my career has provided for my family, but as a dreamer I have always wanted something more. Last year I rode my motorcycle across this great country of ours and a book idea germinated from that ride, not a travel book per se, but more of a "here's how my faith in humanity was restored from the seat of my motorcycle" idea. I'm not ready to quit my job yet, but I dream of writing and traveling and speaking and believe that I can get there even at this late stage. I have some thoughts on what I want to be when I grow up (I'm only 58 for goodness sake) and part of my believing in these thoughts is following folks such as yourself that make a difference in the world and a difference in people's lives. Thank you for the messages and for the difference you make.
Thanks so much for sharing a glimpse of your story here, Eric. I'm inspired! Love to hear more of your stories and insights here in the Courtyard, please keep chiming in.
Blessings for the journey!
Congratulations Andrew! Just remember this is only the current chapter in a much bigger story. Your life.
Love your honesty, Andrew. Thank you. And it does suck.....but it ain't over yet. Hang in there. You've got what it takes. This all said from an eighty year old woman. Patty
Honored to have an esteemed elder in the Courtyard. Thank you, Patty.
🙏🏼#truth
Still believing in all you are ✨
Awesome essay. So human, honest, and relatable. Thanks
Love this, Andrew!!
Andrew, thank you for writing as you do. And, for responding to my work. 🏮
Oh wow, a GOOD read, Andrew...
glad to know what you are up to... and yes, you WILL write again, or rather your WILL be published again., I have no doubt!!!
Thank you for being vulnerable, as always. Said it before and I’ll say it again: you are a true gem!
You got this.
Forsan et haec olim meminisse iuvabit!
Andrew, thank you for your complete honesty in this essay and for your courage in sticking with it long enough to get a job. I'm sure you will be a blessing to the kids you help! By the way, see Roland Merullo's writing for inspiration. He's one of my favorite authors and it took him decades of writing along with driving a cab, being a carpenter, teaching, etc. to finally be able to make a living on just his writing. You remind me of him: decent, big heart, compassionate, funny. Good luck!!!
Thanks, Sue! Taking Roland's advice and walking the slow road. Appreciate you being here.
Dear Andrew
Tana told me that you were taking a job, and she suggested I wait until you described it to me. So thank you for sharing this gut wrenching decision to actually have a “real” job. Just remember that it will be what you make it. No one will interfere with your management of the tasks as long as the results are positive. So design the position to emphasize your strengths and add some new learning to the equation as well. You will be marvelous as long as you are not behind a desk or computer all day. Never conclude a work day without having done FUN.
Lotsa love🐶♥️
Excellent advice from one of the all-time pros. Thanks, Carol, love feeling you in my corner!
Turns out, you can teach a 35 year old dog new tricks. What a glorious testimony to the capacity to change - attitudes, orientations, dreams, jobs. Hoping you can feel how grateful I am for all that has gone into making you a wondrous working stiff. Big love.
I can feel your gratitude. Can you feel mine?! Big love always.
The epiphany at the end seems powerfully real. The idea that doing a 9 to 5 is more difficult than walking across America. Wow, Andrew. I'm looking forward to your other discoveries on the Working Man's daily commute. Respect, indeed. This sort of job can very much fit your vocation as a healer-writer-changer-of-the-world. Thank you.
Thanks for this reflection, Matt. With you in the beautiful work.
Hey Andrew -
Just stumbled across your page and I'm thoroughly impressed and inspired by the honesty and self-awareness in your writing. I'm 32 and I can relate to so much of what you've shared here--not a father yet, but long to be. Haven't given up on my dreams yet either... but also trying to figure out how in the world I'm supposed to support a family one day. I got a part-time job as a barista for now after years of failed business ventures and burning out. Now considering a full-time job as well. It's been a hard but humbling and beautiful journey, and I'm excited to see where God leads me next. Thanks for the inspiration.
Stefano
P.S. I know this post is over a year old, so not sure if you'll see this but if you do -- I'd be very curious to hear how things are going for you with the job and everything. Perhaps you've written an update... I'll look forward to checking out more of your work when I have some time.
Andrew, I truly appreciate what you have written here. I find it interesting that I see myself as the opposite of you. I started working at a machine shop right out of high school and am now the Director of Quality at a large non-profit, but have remained in aerospace for 40 years now. 40 YEARS. I love my job and the challenges it brings, and my career has provided for my family, but as a dreamer I have always wanted something more. Last year I rode my motorcycle across this great country of ours and a book idea germinated from that ride, not a travel book per se, but more of a "here's how my faith in humanity was restored from the seat of my motorcycle" idea. I'm not ready to quit my job yet, but I dream of writing and traveling and speaking and believe that I can get there even at this late stage. I have some thoughts on what I want to be when I grow up (I'm only 58 for goodness sake) and part of my believing in these thoughts is following folks such as yourself that make a difference in the world and a difference in people's lives. Thank you for the messages and for the difference you make.
Thanks so much for sharing a glimpse of your story here, Eric. I'm inspired! Love to hear more of your stories and insights here in the Courtyard, please keep chiming in.