HAPPY LABOR DAY.

I have to confess that what I do for a living is certainly not “labor.”  I’m one of the lucky people who love what I’m doing.  I look forward to Mondays.  I wish more people could be so lucky.

What does my job entail? Meeting with individuals, couples, children, and whole families, sometimes several generations at one time. Sometimes, I meet with a set of adult siblings, sometimes a group of friends.

I meet with them, listen to their pain, confusion, stuckness.  Despite the typical myth about therapists, I do not give solutions and solve problems.  I believe most people can solve their own problems – if only they know what blocks them. Sure, I offer suggestions and ideas, sometimes.  And, often, my suggestions are ignored (because they don’t work well), but they may motivate people to push for their own suggestions.  I also provide different perspectives on how to see their problems or situations.

What else is my “labor”?  I write.  What a delight this is to write about topics that can help people feel better abut themselves and their relationships.  My books for single women, for married couples, for adultsiblings, for everyone in a relationship, and my articles on these topics as well as friendships – are fun to write and from the feedback Iget, useful to others.

I also give speeches. Again, this is not “labor” or work. It’s another means of helping others see more potential in their livesthan they can imagine.

I just recently tackled a new aspect of my job – a video onYou Tube.  I’m still learning how to use the web (a part of my job that I do not love).  In order to do this, I just pretended I was talking to you or a group of you’s. Talking I can do, helping others I can do.  Having someone video me I can do.  Finding the You tube – well, I’m not so sure I can do that!  But, here’s the site if you know how and want to go see it. It’s about my newest book, Why Don’t You Understand? A Gender Relationship Dictionary (For free excerpts, go to www.GenderDictionary.com)

So, this LaborDay, think about your work.  Is it labor,drudgery, or do you really love what you do? Especially if you are a baby boomer, do not just settle. If you do not love what you are doing, push yourself to consider what you could change so you do enjoyhow you spend so many hours a day.