Last week, the day before I left for the Desert Dreams conference, I got a rather unexpected phone call. It was a long-time friend, who I hadn’t heard from in almost a year. He was calling to chat, to catch up…and to see if I was interested in a job.
Once, years ago, he and I worked together (in my former profession, in mental health) and he knew I was good at it (then, we can only assume I still would be!). His company was looking for another therapist and as he was thinking of qualified people he knew in the area, my name came to mind. So he asked me, “I didn’t know if you were happy with what you’re doing now, so I thought, if you’re not, you might be interested in this job.” He went on to name the pay and the benefits (both reallllly attractive) as well as the schedule and job duties (also realllly attractive).
The thing is, I loved what I did before, working in mental health. It was challenging and interesting–and incredibly stressful. But it was a calling for me, because when I started out, I didn’t make a lot of money–no one who works at the jobs I did really does it for the money (very small amount of money). You do it because you love it. By the time I was pregnant with Brianna and left my last job, just before having her, I was making great money, had an awesome job (I referred to it as my dream job) working for the state, with amazing benefits. I left it to be a stay-at-home mom and ended up working my way into editing (which I’d already been doing on the side, so it was a natural progression).
Now, of course, you all know where I’ve been and what I’ve been doing the last three years. I think I’m pretty good at it too. And if you don’t know if I love it or not, by now, then you don’t know anything about me 
And, I do make good money doing it (though I also think this is also a profession you do because it’s a calling, not because you’re going to be fabulously wealthy), I get to travel, and I get to talk about something I love–books. But I have to admit…I was tempted. For maybe 30 seconds. I see publishing as a precarious business, no matter who you are. Author, agent, editor for a major NY house. You never know what will happen in the industry. Mental health? Not so precarious. People always need therapists, and this job came complete with training in the type of therapy they use, flexible schedule and, did I mention, great salary and benefits?
But, you know, in the end, I didn’t even have to think before I said “nope, I really am happy where I’m at and happy with what I’m doing, but thanks for thinking of me!” Because it was the truth. It is nice to know I have options if I need them, but I don’t plan on ever needing them!
Admit it, though, you’d have missed me
Well, YEAH! I was reading it going…noooo! She’s leaving us!? I’m glad you’re sticking around *grin*
Yes we would.
Dude. You’d be fired your first day cuz that bitch bff of yours would be texting you nonstop with “whatcha doin now?” “I misssss youuuuuuu” “Guess what happened?” “Omg what time are you coming home?”
:giggle:
Jaci Burton’s last blog post..Today I’m At
Oh, my God, don’t do that to us!
You about gave me a heart attack. :chair:
Kate Davies’s last blog post..Book BIN Tuesday — Nothing But Red
I’m still twitching. Don’t do that. Just…don’t.
And I’d have to actually CALL you nonstop since my cheap-ass husband won’t cough up the extra for texting.
Shannon Stacey’s last blog post..Letters to the Idols: Inspirational Songs Week
Good bluff.
(even if it was mean)
Don’t scare me like that, I don’t have my latest proposals done yet!