My mother lived in Thailand for a bit while she was in college. The trip started with her losing her luggage, which led my mom to squeezing her already thin frame into kimonos for the entirety of the stay. And it ended with her throwing up in the airport due to food poisoning.
Very typical Kris Lang.
She went to Thailand to visit her sister who worked at the US Embassy and to do a wee bit of soul searching. Her time in Thailand was not long but I always ask her to tell me stories about the places and people over there. I’ll indulge you with my all time favorite.
One morning due to jet-lag, my mom got up very early and heard something outside. A man was cleaning the street. But not just cleaning the street with one hand on the broom and certainly not moving at a snail’s pace either. Instead, this man was cleaning the street like it was the only street in Thailand. My mother became transfixed with this man as he cleaned, sweat, sang, and hustled to keep moving.
Of course if you have ever met my mother she is chatter and a questioner which really speaks (ha ha ha) to her career choice as a speech pathologist. She asked the small Thai man, “Why do you clean this street with so much effort?” His response was simple, “This is my job, my one job, I must do my job well everyday. Must do well so street will be clean for people. For you.”
And with that heart-filled answer, the man continued down the street, leaving my mother slightly speechless. This man took something that many would regard as “dirty work” and turned it into a labor of love. For the rest of the trip, my mother watched this man clean his street with the most passion and dedication she had ever seen someone have for their job.
My favorite part of the story was how the man did not even hesitate to answer the question. His answer came so naturally that it seemed he believe that everyone felt the same way he felt about his job; “…I must do my job well everyday.” This philosophy is unfortunately not shared with the rest of society. For we currently live in this state of fifty percent effort and fifty percent looking at the clock for it to strike 5 pm.
How would our job be different if we spent a little less time looking at the clock?
A little less time on our phones?
A little less time thinking about when we can leave but more time thinking about what we should do to help next?
From double bagging at a grocery store so the bags don’t rip to helping someone find the perfect pair of jeans, we are all given the chance to make someones day a little bit easier, and don’t forget you are being paid to do it.
I love to think of this story when I am struggling with my job or even other aspects of my life. My jobs include: being a sister, being a daughter, a nanny, a friend, a student, a lifeguard, an orientation leader, and there’s probably more. When I feel myself slacking off or itching to get in my car or to keep looking at the clock I think about this man and his broom. His passion to sweep the streets for others helps me remember that I must do my job not only for myself but for the people around me, whom I have responsibilities to care and provide for.
So if you are a teacher, ice cream scooper, gymnastics instructor, librarian, police officer, masters student, parking lot attendant, camp counselor, waitress, grocery store worker, retail manager, lawyer, intern, cook, garbage collector, nurse, interpreter, or fisherman… do your job well. Let yourself go into your craft or skill, for it will be noticed, I assure you. A job is a true reflection of your character, which is something that is often forgotten but wildly important.
Beat against the current notion that you are “too cool” for your job or it is such a looming event in your future. Instead, grab your broom or keys and set off to your place of employment.
Take the hours you’ve been scheduled as hours of opportunities to help, serve and benefit others, so that the streets can be clean for them.
sincerely,
emma
moments with emma 
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