...the boys!

I have been at my “new job”, as I call it, for over five years but as much as I enjoy it there has always been something missing. In my old job I was surrounded by high school and college students. It was fun to watch them grow and change into adults. The chats were fun and uplifting, bringing back fond memories of my younger days. It was a time for me to share and help them grow but it also allowed me on some occasions to be a child myself. How I miss those days now that I am surrounded only by adults. But an amazing thing happened this fall at my “new job”. We hired some college students to work in our warehouse part time.

During our busy time I go from being a secretary to a warehouse worker. The warehouse manager is fun to work for and while the work is hard I have always felt I could count it as my strength training for the day. The dress code is shorts and a t-shirt which is far different than my secretary clothes of a skirt or slacks and high heels. It is light hearted work and my time in the warehouse has always been enjoyable. But this year there were boys, three of them all from the local colleges! How fun it has been to hear their stories and listen to the adventures. They tease each other, chat about school and the weekend. A buzz surrounds them and their enthusiasm is contiguous. All of us that work in the warehouse are mesmerized by them and the smiles they bring to work every day. I have told them numerous times how much they brighten my day and have added back one of the things I missed about my old job. Working with them has made me feel young again.

Is your live getting dull and old? Are you missing your younger days? Is your enthusiasm gone? Do you want to live longer and be more youthful? Then find a way to surround yourself with young people. Mentor a college student and share what you have learned over your life time from your job. Offer the man the booth at a college career day for your company. Volunteer to help with the youth or college group at your church. If you are looking for a part time job find one that will surround you with young people. Most importantly remember to bring with you an open mind and a willingness to try something new. Embrace their enthusiasm and let that youthful feeling rub off on you. Let the young person you help renew your life and make you feel young again. Make finding the younger you one of your positively healthy choices every day.