Work, oh yeah that awful four letter word that none of us would do if we were rich, or would we?

I look back at my life and I am now of the age that I can say that I've worked more years than I played. The work has always been hard, mostly low paying jobs. They've frustrated me beyond reason or need. Yet, I've always had a pride in my work, something that goes beyond description. Why? It was work and it fed my family. I can honestly say that when I look in my mirror at the end of a day, I can say this man did what he was supposed to do today. Sure I'm a fairly intelligent guy and if I could have would have been something other than what I am now. But, I did what I was supposed to do, what all parents are supposed to be, a provider.

We all have dreams, all have an idea that we could've been something else, and maybe we will be, the future isn't set. We look at the rich and wonder what it would be like to be them, to have their problems of choosing caviar or pt as a snack versus Cheez-Its or Pringles. I'd like to think that maybe, just maybe I could've been an actor or comedian, maybe a reporter or writer. In reality I am something more important, and you are as well. Some of us grow up to be teachers, scientists, pilots and the like, while most of us are laborers or service people. The dreams we all have are the same, to be something more than we are.

The measure of a person isn't what they accumulate or how many times they've been to the Bahamas or what their favorite snack is, The measure of a person is who's life have we touched today, and in what way. It's about who our children see as heroes, who we call friends, and what we do with what we have. All of the rich and famous people have one thing in common everyone else, they aren't me, and I like who I am. Yes, I have health problems, who doesn't? But I also have the love of a good lady, two great kids and a close and loyal circle of friends. I don't care that I may have less then they do or more, I care about how they feel toward me and I them.

Do my friends frustrate me, of course, just as I frustrate them at times; it's the nature of living. But at the end of the day, they are still my friends, my family, and my love. I love how they smile at a wise crack I make, I love how they smile when they see me and I smile when I see or talk to them. Some of the best times I've ever had was just sitting next to a friend, not talking, just sharing space, and sharing the moment.

The old saying of "seize the day" makes more sense to me now that I can step back a bit and look at things a little clearer. Boring and normal were once things that were for other people, now as I gain in years, they are welcome and desired. I'm not saying that I will always be the nice guy on the phone when you call customer service, or that I have no desire to improve myself, because I do and I will.

What I am saying is that when I look in my mirror, I see the face of a man more fortunate than not, a man rich in the things that matter, someone that cares for and is cared for by good people. The battles that I have had matter little, other than the fact that they were worth fighting, for the people that I care about.
So, go ahead. Look in the mirror. Who do you see?

Learn more about this author, Stephen D. Wilson.
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