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Both Sides of the Fence

A Tosa resident since 1991, Christine walks the dog, cooks but avoids housework, writes and reads, and enjoys the company of friends and strangers. Her job takes her around the state, learning about people's health. A Quaker (no, they don't wear blue hats or sell oatmeal or motor oil), she has been known to stand on both sides of the political and philosophic fence at the same time, which is very uncomfortable when you think about it. She writes about pretty much whatever stops in to visit her busy mind at the moment. One reader described her as "incredibly opinionated but not judgmental." That sounds like a good thing to strive for!

Back to the ranks

Posted by Christine McLaughlin on March 8, 2010 | 27 comments

Saturday I baked a cake, because that is just what people in my family do when times are good or bad, happy or sad. It was also a good excuse to use up the cranberries in the freezer before burn sucked all the moisture out to the frosty surface.

In this case, it was a happy cake. After a year and a half of hunting for jobs, I finally landed one. And not just any job: a good work job that grabs my imagination and spirit. A job that asks me to bring myself--and all of that--to the table. So many jobs seem to want just the parts that fit in the slot.

That long period of forced joblessness felt like being cast aside. But now I'm floating in gratitude for the chance to be used up instead. George Bernard Shaw said it best:

This is the true joy in life, the being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; the being a force of nature instead of a feverish, selfish little clod of ailments and grievances complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy.

I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the whole community, and as long as I live it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can.

I want to be thoroughly used up when I die, for the harder I work the more I live. I rejoice in life for its own sake. Life is no "brief candle" for me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got hold of for the moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations.

Thanks to all of you who held me in your thoughts and prayers, sent me leads, offered to make connections, and shared your friendship and larders with me. Not that I was in danger of starving, as those of you who've seen me know. The larder-sharing was neighborliness.

And for those few of you who were unkind, I offer this wish: may it happen to you. Because there is nothing like it to give you time to search your soul and cultivate a little compassion.

27 COMMENTS

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  1. Tosamom - Mar 13, 2010 7:55 AM - Report Abuse

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    Tine-

    How nice of you to offer to be a sounding board for OliviasMom. Your ongoing kindness and generosity are wonderful to see. God Bless!

  2. Tine - Mar 13, 2010 6:20 AM - Report Abuse

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    OliviasMom, thank you. It always surprises me when people fail to acknowledge how important working is to most of us, and not just for the money it brings us to feed, house, and clothe our families. I remember reading Studs' Terkel's book Working so many years ago and learning how much pride and love so many people bring to even the most ordinary jobs. This notion of people trying to get away with doing the least some constantly reiterate doesn't fit with what I see most of the time.

    I hope you soon share in the good fortune that opened up to me. Two weeks before this, I had reached a point of such despair that I got scared for myself. I started asking people for some specific kinds of emotional support I needed. And that step seems to have marked the time things started to turn. If you need a sounding board, OM, please feel free to email me.

  3. OliviasMom - Mar 12, 2010 3:42 PM - Report Abuse

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    Congratulations and good luck. I think a year and a half is more than enough "dues" to pay! I hope the job lasts for as long as you need it to, regardless of the "sector" it is in! What counts if that you enjoy it and feel that you are where you belong. May your good fortune be a good omen for the rest of us that are still without that elusive "new job" and feeling like we don't belong.

  4. Tine - Mar 11, 2010 7:54 PM - Report Abuse

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    Maybe I got saved from myself: my last comment didn't show up, so I get a reprieve. (But if it DOES show up, I apologize to readers for responding with pushed buttons.)

    I am so thrilled about this wonderful job, Townie, and my employer is going to get a LOT for their money. Not sure why you need to rain on my parade but some folks are just like that.

    Actually, the same job in the private sector would go for twice as much. Lots of bargains in these other sectors that you don't like.

    I certainly think people can and do make good choices, especially when they are given the right information. The "right information" part gets tricky, though, when it's privatized. But luckily in this job, it won't be. Both the public sector and private businesses will be able to use the data. That's a win-win.

    Since I believe in the importance of accurate information, I'll correct another of your errors. This position, while very appropriately housed in the academic sector, is actually paid for mainly by funds that came from a business. Not taxpayer money.

    And as to who pays for public employees, well, they are taxpayers too.

    Funny thing about public health research. You are welcome to jump in and start up your own private business in that area. Compete away!

  5. TosaTownie - Mar 11, 2010 1:50 PM - Report Abuse

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    Astonishing thing to say? Why is that? The public sector jobs would not exist in Wisconsin without us great unwashed in the private sector paying the very generous benefit and salaries in the public sector. The private sector exists to make a profit, no profits no jobs for you and me.

    Your tone is very arrogant and condescending toward the private sector, remember you public service employees exist because of us, not the other way around. I certainly don't need a wonk in government to tell me how to live healthy and make good choices, that is very insulting to even imply that.

  6. Tine - Mar 11, 2010 1:43 PM - Report Abuse

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    The private sector accommodate my career needs? What an astonishing thing to say. The private sector exists to meet its own needs, not those of its workers.

    There's a good reason for education and government sectors to want to keep the products of good health research freely available to all. Plenty of opportunity for private business to figure out profitable products to meet needs. But no one should be able to limit access to knowledge that people need to stay healthy and make good choices.

  7. TosaTownie - Mar 11, 2010 12:43 PM - Report Abuse

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    However, I wonder why the private sector could not accomodate your career needs? I don't like to see the public sector get any larger than it already is, since your new employer exists 100 percent on taxes that are generated in the private sector. No private sector no taxes.

  8. Former Flatlander - Mar 11, 2010 11:27 AM - Report Abuse

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    I love the Shaw quote. Great to put into words the concept that life should be lived gratefully and with meaning, with an emphasis one being a positive contributor to one's community.

    The "feverish, selfish little clods" out there need a dose of this fine message. All the best to you in your new position!

  9. TosaTownie - Mar 11, 2010 10:12 AM - Report Abuse

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    Congratulations.

  10. peefandlo - Mar 11, 2010 10:08 AM - Report Abuse

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    Chris - Congratulations!! Sounds like an awesome gig -- and one at which you'll excel! Enjoy that Happy Cake (cranberries and walnuts... yum!). And revel in the wonderfulness of it all.
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