I'll manage...

I work in the food service industry. It's not the best job in the world, but neither is it unbearable. Due to the nature of the work, and the fact that it doesn't really pay all that well, we have a high employee turnover, and the people we manage to retain aren't always the best and brightest. I've been thinking a lot about the work I do and the people I'm surrounded by and I'm left with a burning question; What the hell, man?
Seriously though. I've always been of the opinion that whatever you dedicate your time to, be it sculpture or medicine or ditch digging, if you put your heart into it, and strive to do your absolute best, then you're creating something admirable, maybe even something beautiful. I realize that on the surface that sounds like cheesy motivational poster b.s. but I've found it to be true. A great many of my co-workers plod along every day, doing the bare minimum with a frown on their face and a chip on their shoulder. I can't live my life that way. I won't be a manager at a low-quality restaurant forever, but right now that's exactly what I am, and I take pride in being good at it. My job is only meaningless if I allow it to be. I stubbornly insist on finding the good in every day, and when I do, it flows over into the rest of my daily life and fills me up. I'm finding wisdom in rice cakes and inspiration on the soles of my shoes, and right now, at this point in my journey, I wouldn't have it any other way.