“Tell me, what is it you plan to do/with your one wild and precious life?” (Mary Oliver, The Summer Day)

I’ve been on a Mary Oliver kick, especially since watching this documentary from PBS that popped up on YouTube. And I’m thinking about the prompt, if the salary was the same, what job would you be doing?

Why?

On good days, I like to think I would be doing the same thing. Taking care of others during one of the most vulnerable times in their lives. Being with them through that journey. And also being a mom, a girlfriend, a daughter, a grand-daughter, a friend. Being a writer. Being a reader of books and sticking way too many tabs in them just because I like to. Being a coffee-drinker. Going for walks. Making mistakes. Living life on life’s terms.

On bad days, I wonder if I’m doing anything right. Is this the career for me. Am I a good enough mom, girlfriend, daughter, grand-daughter, friend. Am I a good enough nurse. Am I doing what I’m supposed to be doing with my life.

On my best days, I realize that good and bad are just two sides of the same coin. That I can’t have one without the other (and would I want to?) That what I’m supposed to be doing is what I’m doing right now, whether that’s being a nurse, being a mom, or–best of all–just being.

When I look out my window, I see lots of green leaves and green grass and trees and behind those things is a pathway leading to a pond where you can sit on a bench and watch the birds. It’s a nice spot to stop for a few (or many) minutes and watch. To listen. And appreciate. And be.

Happy Sunday everyone, and thanks for reading! If you like what I write, please subscribe. Thanks. 🙂