Damn Good

Over the summer, I wrote a post about my fears. I feared I would never find a job I loved. A job I was good at. I didn't know it at the time, but I was nearly two months away from leaving the job I was sort-of-okay-at-but-really-didn't-enjoy for the job that was virtually designed for me.

I've been working at the Food Bank for about a month and a half now and I feel completely comfortable in saying that for the first time in my life, I love my job.

Today, the event I have helped see into fruition was held. The partners I work with came from all over Ohio to attend this celebration where I would give a handful of presentations and help facilitate dialogue between them. Being that I'm as introverted as I am, you might think that I dread public speaking. Granted, it's not one of my favorite things, but over the years I've gotten pretty good at it. In grade school, I ran for Student Council every year from 6th grade until my senior year. I gave a speech in front of the entire school telling them why they should vote for me as their Treasurer. If memory serves me correctly, I'm pretty sure I ran unopposed every year. But the experience of getting in front of 300ish students to rattle off my underdeveloped resume was totally invaluable.

Taken shortly after my Hubby made a fantastic dinner,
and shortly before I thanked him by making him listen to my redundant speech-recitation. 

In college, my best friend and I co-led our campus chapter of International Justice Mission, a Christian humanitarian organization that seeks to end slavery and sex trafficking. Laura was a business major and handled all of the logistical stuff. Me on the other hand, I led the weekly prayer during our meetings and spoke on on-campus events, raising awareness for the work of IJM. I was so passionate about what I was speaking about, and I rocked it.

So today, when I had to present to a group of about 100, I had a speech in hand, practice under my belt (I may or may not have subjected Chuck to my speeches for a solid half hour at the dinner table) and caffeine flowing through my veins. I got up there, barely glanced at my speech and I once again, rocked it.

At the end of the day as I was leaving to go home, my supervisor complimented me, and her positive feedback meant the world to me. It felt so good to be validated, to be told that I am an asset to my organization (my words, not my supervisor's).

All this is to say, not only am I loving my job, but I am damn good at it.