November 29, 2015 – Lutsen, Minnesota

Another holiday sacrificed to humanity in the books.

I’m utilizing the resort’s swimming pool, reflecting on the recent Thanksgiving week. As per usual in the food service industry, I had to work the holiday. It’s only half bad this year, as I took a few days beforehand and made a trip to the twin cities to see family and friends. And attend my first Vikings game. And play volleyball in my underwear at a friend’s apartment’s community pool, apparently.

But let’s not get off topic.

I never really considered missing certain holidays a big deal as an adult, since my extended family stopped getting together for them years ago. Thanksgiving in particular. I always knew that it was disappointing to my immediate family, but they understand, right? After a while, it just became normal for me to be working during such holidays. Looking back, though, I wonder… has there always been more to it than that?

Maybe I’m just experiencing a moment of meditative clarity in the water, but what if I’ve always subconsciously felt a certain responsibility to serve other families during the holidays? Is it any sort of coincidence that even now when I’m not serving my hosts, I’m still serving and taking care of the general public when they’re in my “home?”

Am I just now realizing this due to my new lifestyle?

Lifeguarding, food service, direct care for the mentally ill, health coaching… has my work history helped shape my current path, or is there some sort of innate force that has guided me in my chosen fields of work?

Or maybe these thoughts are an attempt to justify my actions. Justify my choices.

Justify my existence.

“Great achievement is usually born of great sacrifice, and is never the result of selfishness.” – Napoleon Hill