My friend Robyn Griffith is between jobs as a pharmaceutical R&D specialist. She posted a nice essay on LinkedIn in early April in which she bemoaned the lack of opportunities in the pharmaceutical industry but closed by saying she’s gone back to being a waitress, which she did in high school and college. I don’t think she needs the money. She writes:

So, I got tired of sitting in front of my computer all day long, applying to jobs with no luck, and began working in the same type of position where I very first started. The age of 15, I worked at McDonald’s (still have my first paystub). I really appreciated the flexibility in hours, as a cheerleader, figure skater, class representative and singer & piano player at church. I worked there until my senior year when I began to waitress, which I did all the way through college (loved Red Robin!).

I love her attitude:

The longer I am there, the more it brings me back to my happy and fulfilling “blue collar” days.

Working hard, wiping tables, greeting customers, smiling and helping these young new leaders understand what positive outcomes hard work brings. It brings me joy. I take pride to my daily shifts and I love seeing others smile and have a great time playing ‘Angry Birds’! I still really desire returning to my passion of bringing new treatment to patients and seeing the positive outcomes and solutions that it brings to millions of people. Until then, I will greet you with a smile and recommend my favorite TopGolf games to play!

This story reminds me of another, which I’ll share tomorrow.

Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky… (Philippians 2.14, 15, NIV)