Why Do You Do What You Do?

Today I bought a bag of caramel apple milky way bars and walked them around to my coworkers. It has been an incredibly challenging week for everyone at work, gearing up to an anniversary circus street festival/resident company extravaganza that is a first-time thing for us. Many details have necessarily had to wait to the last second, and there have been changes as everything has evolved. Beneath all of that we have our regular season to support, departing and arriving staff, and all of our own personal considerations.

 

The reaction that I got from many colleagues to the chocolate today was a slight exhalation, slump, smile and relief for a moment of restful sweetness. It can be difficult to keep perspective on the blessing of our jobs at times like this, or to keep sight of why we actually do what we do. After the normal workday I managed a radio promo event then got to see the opening night performance of Evil Dead the Musical. The promo winners and crowd around me were giddy in anticipation of sitting in the "splatter zone" and getting covered with fake blood. They wore white costumes, laughed at the throwback movie one-liners, and enjoyed their time with friends. To know that I had even a small part in helping create their experience (which maybe was coming after their own long days) gave me happiness and a sense that all the craziness pays off.