Happy Friday, RISERS! I hope this week has been good to you. Jacob and I made our last trip to Georgia for a while, coming back on Wednesday. I dropped off a letter to the family that has the goat I look for, coming and going. Visited Arnold and Linda at The Cat’s Meow in Pine Mountain, grabbed a few more things from my mother’s house, and wrote the first chapter of my new book. Now that all the traveling is over, I plan to get a few more chapters written this weekend. No matter what fun you’re having, may it be a great weekend.
Happy Birthday to all of you who turned a year older this past week. Our youngest son, Jacob, turned fourteen this week. And Happy Anniversary to you and your loved one for reaching another milestone year together.
Quote of the Week: “Find out what you like doing best, and get someone to pay you for doing it.” Katharine Whitehorn
Joke of the Week: I applied for a job in Australia, but it seems I don’t have the right koalifications.
Song of the Week: I just realized I tend to gravitate to the Beatles as songs for inspiration. This week is no different. In 1964, the Fab Four released “A Hard Day’s Night.” Written by John Lennon, the song was used in the movie with the same title. The movie functioned as a “rockumentary” about a day in the life of John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
Nugget of Wisdom of the Week: As you can see, the theme of the week is related to jobs. Now that summer is almost upon us, many of you may be scrambling to decide what career you would like to get into. There is a book that is put out every year by the U. S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, usually available online, called The Occupational Outlook Handbook. It provides the projected outlook of different jobs and the salaries for these jobs.
I have mentioned before that life and art intertwine sometimes. Case in point, in 1972, a television show called “Emergency!” showcased the workings of paramedics and firemen. At the time, there were only twelve paramedic units in North America. Hard to believe, right? Because of the show’s influence, in 1987, fifty percent of the US population lived within ten minutes of paramedic services. Today, emergency responders are accessible to almost all Americans.
The paramedic field is one that requires a high school diploma, completing a 1-2 year paramedic course that is accredited, and passing the cognitive and psychomotor exams of the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians.
When you are unsure of what career field to jump into, make a list of all the things you are good at, then consult the occupational handbook. Match your abilities with the jobs that correspond with the time you want to invest in education and the economic security the job provides. As we saw with the case of paramedics, all jobs have a significant impact on society. Dare to live your dream!
Shout Out of the Week: This week, I want to give a shout-out to everyone working as a paramedic or a dispatcher. My step-sister-in-law is a former EMT who is now a dispatcher. Thank you, Betty Fowler, and all the other awesome folks out there who risk their lives to save the lives of others. Sa-lute!
Have a great weekend. Remember, you are most awesome, and YOU ROCK!
Marion Rhines is a foster-turned-adoptive parent and lives in Knoxville, Tenn., with her husband and five children. She is a freelance writer and blogger, having written and published two children’s books as well as two foster-care-themed novels. She has a Facebook blog, Tips from the FLIP Side, and enjoys working with children of all ages.