Something Greater than Myself...
I started to write that I can't tell you how good it feels to be a part of something that once again dedicates me to something other than myself and my own desires, wants, and needs...but since this is my blog...I sure as hell am going to try!
One of the reasons that I am so dang psyched about the twelve hour days that I seem to be working right now...is that I believe passionately and wholeheartedly in the work that I am doing. There isn't an equivocal moment wherein I am unable to see that electing Peter Hutchinson to the governership of Minnesota isn't the right thing to do. Most people sign on to political campaigns for themselves...because they want to ride the coattails of their candidate into greater glory. While I will be tickled to death and hope to to God that Peter will find a place for me in his administration (Commissioner of Janitorial Staff, Overlord of Snow Removal, Grand High Licker of Stamps)...I am working for Peter because he inspires me. He continues to inspire me I should say. When I listen to him speak, when I watch him campaign, when I study his interactions with people, I am awed at his straight forwardness, his humility, his ability to engage, his charisma, and most of all his sincere belief in everyone that he comes in contact with that they have unlimited potential---and he wants to do what's right and necessary so that all of us have the tools and the society geared towards helping us achieve our greatest hopes. I enjoy going to work every day because I'm not just working for this great guy who is running for Governor, but I am committing myself to the ideals that he is espousing. I'm pledging myself to the spirit that he embodies.
When I go into the office each morning...I am required and expected to surpass myself. Or to put it a better way, I am given the tools and the opportunities to grow. And that is important...some work environments you are expected to shine and glow and spark and sizzle and the minute you stop out you go. Too often work environments are selfish enterprises that have no real interest in employee development but are all about the bottom line. We have an enormous bottom line at my office...that come November 7th we'll have achieved. But, when I walk into the office I know that the people there recognize that I have specific talents and skills, and they also recognize that I am human have developmental needs. My boss Jason...I like him alot...but I'll never say that to his face...has made it clear in words and actions that he is interested in making sure that each of us individually leaves the campaign greater than when we entered. He acknowledges our abilities to do our jobs but wants to ensure that we are able to do our next jobs even better. It's that personal committment not to just the bottom line but to the people that will make the bottom line possible that keeps my fire burning after one day off in the last seven.
Thank God I took this position. After YouthAction my spirit was low. There was much there I could have done better...but there was so much out of my hands by the time that I got there that when I arrived I was already tired and beat down. In that place the task was survival...in this place the task is thrivence. It also helps that there is a guy on staff that I think is totally adorable...he's probably straight as an arrow...but that doesn't take away from the cute factor. The big nerd made a trash can out of a computer screen yesterday. What a geek. Awesome.
I am looking forward to a summer of rip-roaring campaign fun. I'm sure there will come moments when I hate my job, when I want to give my boss a swirly, or when I spike my desk mate's coffee with exlax. But I'll probably do that no matter what happens. Being part of history is awesome...especially when you don't have to be assassinated or burned at the stake to be a part of it.