Growing out of adversity

Sunday I was on a picture taking expedition. I was working on a project and it had absolutely nothing to do with trees. However, when you see something interesting, snap a picture! This tree is defying all the rules. It should not be growing out of this metal container on the river.

But it is. And it's doing well. Sometimes, in relationships or jobs, it's not the perfect environment for growth. And the easy solution is to move on over to the environment that is easiest, most nurturing. However, I do not think that easy has ever necessarily strengthened anyone.

I have had my share of jobs. Have they all been well suited for me? No way. But I can honestly say that with each one I learned from it, and I left traces of me there. Perhaps a way of doing a task, a joke, a thought of an event that made the coworkers smile.

My current job is so far off the path of where my life was leading. I have been a caregiver of sorts all of my life. Always been in the medical field. I took care of my bedridden mother from the age of 9, then my jobs included med-aide at an assisted living, job developer for developmentally delayed adults, administrator of an alzheimer's unit. However, now I work in the scale house of a gravel pit. I print the weigh tickets for the dumptruck drivers.

Strange transition? Perhaps... but I was facing serious burnout. And, mostly, this place was hiring when I needed a job. Even though it's not my norm, I love it! I have tweaked the job to suit me. I challenge myself to do the job better, faster, take on more tasks. And I honestly think that many of the drivers look forward to coming back, maybe only to see what I will say or do next. But they don't dread seeing me.

I have always agreed with the saying "that which doesn't kill us makes us stronger" I believe it was Nietsche who said that. And I fully believe that it's true. We can find good in most any situation. And we can grow in adverse environments.

Today, I will concentrate on turning bad situations around. In helping others thrive in challenging environments. And being thankful for the harshest of situations, seeing them as opportunities for growth.