Work and Meaning via Pop Culture

 

One of the lighter news stories this week is the news that Mr. Harry (Markle) has found himself a new job at an organization working on mental health issues. My response is good for him for finding work that is meaningful to him, but on the other hand it was interesting to see the bemusement of many others. These individuals are the same ones who over the past several years have been anywhere from bemused to openly hostel to Mr. Harry and Mrs. Megan's long term career choices.

I have to say I imagine some of the conversations Mr. Harry and Mrs. Megan had with the rest of Mr. Harry's family went something like this from the flash. 

Captain Cold: What to do with me now, Barry Allen?

Barry: It needs to end.

Captain Cold: Can't do that. It's what I do.
- 

Barry: Find a new line of work.

Captain Cold: Don't want to.

Barry: Why's that?

Captain Cold: The same reason you keep running after guys like me. The adrenaline. The thrill of the chase. I love this game. And I'm very good at it.

Please don't ask who is who in this conversation, it is not a perfect fit, but the above quote gets to the idea that we can not change who we are or what gives us meaning just because someone asks us to.

And I am pretty sure some of the behind the scene conversations among Harry's Family went like this scene from Legends of Tomorrow:

Rip Hunter: They are irresponsible, undependable, unpredictable, dangerous. And yet effective. At least on occasion.

Agent Sharpe: Is that the reason they're not warming a cell back at headquarters as we speak?

Rip Hunter: They're not warming a cell, Agent Sharpe, because they might just be our best hope of defeating what's coming.

And while I don't think The Family really wants Mr. Harry and Mrs. Megan to be locked up I do think they would prefer if they were out of sight out of mind. And Mr. Harry and Mrs. Megan are much more adorable band of misfit aka Legends of Tomorrow type of people.

But then again many of us are Legends of Tomorrow type of people who have to work hard to figure out where we fit within a larger ever changing cast of characters and stories of life, work, and meaning. 

Related to this is a book I read every New Year's Eve "Hell Yes" by Elizabeth Cogswell Baskin which breaks down all choices as either a "Hell Yes" or a "Hell No". I always love the part that suggests saying no to things that are not "Hell Yes" opportunities for you, means that they are available for others who find those opportunities to be their "Hell Yes" opportunities. 

The key is knowing what work environments are "Hell Yes" environments for you and knowing what is a perfect job for you might be a horrible fit for someone else. 

So in the end finding meaning in work may just come down to:

You've got to know when to hold 'em
Know when to fold 'em
Know when to walk away
And know when to run
You never count your money
When you're sittin' at the table
There'll be time enough for countin'
When the dealin's done

(The Gambler)