In Defense of Moms & Stock Farmers
Monday, March 30th, 2009 by Maryam WebsterOn another post in the archives, a commenter by the name of Ted got a little upset at my repost of an Yahoo.com article on “Top 10 Stress-less Careers”. I thought Ted’s comment was provocative enough to post (yes I approve vitriolic comments if they provide value) and also to answer. Here’s that thread, for the possible enlightenment it might provide:
Ted:
“This article is utter bull shit. Every one of those jobs is full of stress. They are either very stressful, too low paying to create financial stress (Maryam note: I think he means “too low paying SO they create financial stress”), or both. Try being an accountant. Every calculation you make must be accurate! And tax season is the worst.
Even being a masseuse causes your own muscles to tighten up. Who massages you? And a teacher? Try making ends meet on a teachers salary when you’ve baby sat a bunch of adolescents all day. You do no one any favors by propogating this drivel. It’s obviously written by someone who’s sitting at home, drinking tea and out of touch with the real world. Why? Because she’s figured out a way to make a stress free living by working 3 hours a day by writing useless garbage. I’d bet she’s living on a farm raising toddlers and chickens.”
(~*~*~*~*~ pause for interlude music ~*~*~*~*~ )
Hi Ted,
Can I recommend you take a chill pill? The vitriol here only indicates that YOU are stressed. Your outlook effects your experience of life a great deal. My accountant is happy as a lark right now. It’s his outlook. He enjoys tax season and revels in the work it brings. If you’re an accountant and you don’t enjoy it, then you’re in the wrong job. Change your job to reduce stress. It’s entirely doable, no matter how closed all avenues might seem. (see the end of this article)
You’re also making a lot of judgements that may or many not have any basis in reality. And your experience may be atypical. So…why “propagate such drivel” yourself?
To answer a few of your rants: who massages you? Your buddies – as a massage therapist, you develop cooperative relationships with other massage therapists. Been there, done that. Teacher? Been there too – high school English. Most teachers who are in it as a career are doing it for love of the job..and don’t view it as “baby sitting” – you demean teachers by this suggestion. The fact that you can read and write you owe to a teacher. Don’t disrespect them by suggesting their jobs amount to babysitting.
But before you jump on your keys to write a retort, I must correct the worst misperceptions you list: the job of “mom to toddlers” and also that of raising farm animals are two of the most time-consuming and stressful on the planet. Both require early hours until way late at night and in the middle of the night when a child or animal is ill or a large animal is giving birth. (woman and farmer? Resources here) There’s no calling in a workmate to handle your load when you “don’t feel like” going in to work or are sick yourself.
Moms and stock farmers work through it all – no exceptions. Respect.
The next time you eat a steak, chop or chicken breast think about that. The next time you take a breath or do anything with your mind or body, you can thank your mother for that. Like her or not, you wouldn’t be here without her and whomever raised you to adulthood. If you were as angry then as you exhibit here…it probably wasn’t a 100% pleasant job.
Finally, the article didn’t say zero stress, just less stress. Perhaps I should adjust the title (already done)…but really, is all the venom-spouting necessary? If destressing is important to you then I recommend:
http://maryamwebster.com/stressrelief
or your favorite aerobic exercise.
Also, know that you can step away from this and into your own Unlimited Self, where the problems, stress and upset don’t exist. You started out in life Unlimited, able to make your life anything you choose. You still have that power and that choice, no matter what your station in life or how crappy your job or living situation. Ask yourself – “Would an Unlimited being choose to remain this angry, upset and stressed-out?” More here:
http://ethosmethod.ning.com
Have a good one Ted – Be Good to You!
.
In the last eighteen months or so, mothers are hesitating to nurse at work – assuming the workplace still provides daycare. They are not asking for time off to deal with a child’s needs, and are neglecting their own health to work when ill themselves. Moms, are you afraid to ask for time off to deal with your child’s parent-teacher meeting, illness or botched daycare arrangement? Are you choosing NOT to telecommute for fear of losing your job?
And now a gift, from my dear friend and student Liz Lichti and her business partner Laura Whitelaw, a few well…interesting answers to the question you may have been wanting to ask: Why did I walk away from my business to follow my Bliss? (this is me at right a couple of months ago feeling pretty blissful, with 








































