How's your job? Are you in the right field / position? When did you know what you wanted to do? Is your job something you loathe, but tolerate it because it brings a paycheck? Or do you love going to work?
I've been thinking a lot about these issues recently. I've been working since I was 15. I've been a bus boy, a waiter, a dishwasher for work study at college, a legal intern, a law clerk, and then a lawyer. I've worked for a firm, I've worked for myself, and I've worked for two separate state governments. Right now, I'm in a quasi-legal administrative role with the the State of Maine.
When I was a law clerk, I had maybe a half-dozen attorneys speak with me and advise me against becoming a lawyer. They all hated their jobs. Most of my friends are lawyers. Most of them are at least competent at their jobs, but few of them are passionate about the law. It's basically because they chose law to make money, rather than loving the practice. And that's a completely valid career choice. For me, I've know that this is what I wanted to do since 14 years old. I haven't loved every aspect of every job I've had, but I firmly feel like I ended up in the right place.
My father hated every day of his job, I think. My grandfather did, too, and his career in construction left his body broken and eventually disabled. My two brothers are in jobs that they tolerate, but both would prefer something else. All of it just makes me reflect on how lucky I am to have landed in a good spot.
Where do you fall?