Good Morning, Orbit...

I'm a pleaser. I know this. I have mostly accepted it about myself. While I might like to have a "Who Cares?" attitude...this is not my nature. I do care. I care what others think about things I do and say. I care what others think about my opinions, my shoes, my work, my family...me. But more than that, I care about other people. I care what they think about. I care about what they enjoy doing in their spare time. I care about people's motivations, their successes, their struggles. I care about the emotional state of others. I care what makes people happy, sad, angry, disappointed, anxious, and eager. And sometimes, not always, but sometimes...I even care enough to get involved. Although, the older I get...the more I find myself involved even when I would choose otherwise.

I say all of this to say that I may have found the perfect second career for myself. Now, I'm not giving up on education....that was a calling that I don't think I could ignore even if I wanted to. However, this week I have been helping out at my dad's office...answering phones and working the front desk. Mostly my responsibilities consist of answering the phones (which rarely ring), keeping up with who is in the office and who is not, and greeting people as they enter or exit the building through the front. I have the time to read books, do crossword puzzles or sudoku, read the news on the internet, and plan for my upcoming trip to NYC. I can interact with people...but not too much and not too deeply. I can be pleasant and helpful...for brief moments. And I don't have to worry about anyone being too loud...or telling anyone to pull their pants up. But this job, and these responsibilities are all about pleasing others. It is my job...no, my duty...to do everything I can to ensure every person who calls has a positive experience when initially contacting this office. The problem is...I have to do it strictly through my voice.

My Nanny was a receptionist for years at Orbit in Helen. People would always recognize her voice when we would go places and say, "OH! You're the 'Good Morning, Orbit' lady!"
That used to make me so proud...she was so distinct that people could recognize HER VOICE!

I've been practicing my 'Good Morning, Orbit' voice...and it just doesn't sound quite right. But give me time, Nanny...I'll get there.