They say every man (person?) will have three careers.
At the end of 2019 I had, in fact, reached mine. After almost 30 years in the restaurant business as a waiter in high end (expensive) restaurants, I was done. My mental state and fathers health issues caused me to resign. Little did I know that the world was about to flip upside down, but that is part of the equation, isn't it?
After 6 months of reflection, I started to think about what would be next. For years on my way to work, I would drive by one of California's most beautiful coastal state parks. Often, there was a sign offering an opportunity to the right applicant for a position at the park. I applied and was hired.
The job is an entry level position in park maintenance. I have been around or in construction since I was a teenager so I felt comfortable in applying.
After three months on the job, I had lost 20 pounds and 2 inches on waist. I have muscle definition again!. The real improvement... My mental health.
Turns out getting up before dawn and seeing the sun rise before you work outside all day is therapeutic.
Working for the State of California, I will not get rich, but as it turns out I am richer, healthier and happier.
On a side note, I just got a promotion to a position that normally takes a couple of years to get to.
