It's been two days into my new job and I can honestly say that my fatigue rivals what I felt when I had to go to the Expo in Shanghai for three straight days during my trip this summer. The commute is bad -- 2 hours there and back, the pay is minimum wage, and the standing in blistering heat for 9 hours doesn't exactly make me feel better. I'm eerily reminded by the stinging pain in my heel of the summer when I had plantar fasciitis (you can google that). I've done some crazy jobs in the past and I would put this one right up there (but slightly better) than selling golf coupons door to door, but slightly worse than selling knives from home to home. I think it's comparable to working in a computer warehouse unloading CRT monitors though -- that was one hell of a summer.
For those that don't know, I recently took a job as a fundraiser on behalf of the Canadian Cancer Society to canvas for donations downtown during the week. Yes, I'm one of those extremely disliked people that I fully admit to shafting when I was on the other side of the coin. I don't think anyone can really prepare you for the grueling task of standing on a busy street in mid 30 degrees weather asking people if they have time to stop and chat so you can try to convince them to donate to charity on a monthly basis.
During some stretches of my long day, I ask myself, "Vic, what the hell were you thinking taking this job? You start full-time work as an accountant at Deloitte in September, so why are you spending a blistering hot summer out on the streets everyday for 9 hours begging people for money?" Believe me when I say sometimes I have no answer to why I suddenly decided to turn my lifestyle upside down. The job isn't exactly easy by any means, and while I said I needed a change of pace, sometimes I feel a bit overwhelmed by it. It is physically and mentally draining, but in the end, it is a challenge I would like to see myself overcoming. My manager said during training that if you can succeed in this job, you can succeed in anything.
The Good
Every canvasser has to go through a 5 day evaluation period where they must raise a minimum of $160 in monthly donations (we don't take one time gifts). After my first day, I PAC'ed $85 from 2 people, which was surprisingly nice. The second day I only had $10, but the positive out of being able to PAC $95 in two days is the self confidence to believe that "Hey, I think I can do this.." I guess all that smiling for tips at Baskin Robbins really paid off.
The Bad
Did I mention the minimum wage, the standing and the heat already? Oh, I did? Well take all those things and couple it with the fact that some people who walk by you think of you as less than human; like you're the gum on the bottom of their shoe. They think so less of you that many don't even bother to acknowledge your presence. I've seen old ladies scream at my colleagues, people flip us off, threaten us and use various derogatory terms that are pretty personal even though everyone says not to take it seriously. Buddy, we canvas for a not-for-profit charity organization trying to fight cancer for those who have contracted the illness and for those that might in the future. We are not trying to rob you or sell you anything, and yet some people still believe in the fact that there's a conspiracy that the cure for cancer has already been found and organizations like the CCS are just clever corporate cash cows. Why don't you tell that business model to my aunt and cousin in China who lost a husband and a father to pancreatic cancer? Sometimes the insensitivity of Canadians infuriate me. We generally are considered compassionate, but that facade really comes to light when you witness firsthand the selfishness of our society and the heartlessness of a collective city.
The Lessons
1. Humility - Sometimes I'm susceptible to subconsciously feeling like I am above others when I have superior ability or past achievements based on the fact that having self confidence has been ingrained into my nature. This job has served as a good reminder by putting myself in a position to be talked or looked down upon to realize that as a Christian, I need to humble myself to the world. Am I better than you? Maybe, but I will never explicitly give you the dirty look that tell you I believe that. Now that I can speak from experience, trust me when I say that there aren't many feelings worse than that.
2. Tolerance - When I was little, my mom always told me to stand up for myself and not let anybody push me around. I might have taken that advice to heart a bit too much. I've always had a pretty quick temper and a hard time letting things go. This is especially evident with my sharp mouth and my hotheadedness when I'm on the court. It is definitely something I've been working on lately -- to be a better person in general. Less drama in life, no technical fouls during the season, more mature mindset and outlook etc. While I've never been shy in public, I've also never been glared at, completely ignored, or treated like dirt by so many people so many times in a single day. It is an effective test to gauge my mettle to shrug off offensive gestures, insults and actions, put a smile on my face and begin anew with the next one. Undoubtedly, there will be many cases of failed plans, challenges and difficulties in life. This experience will help me not be shackled by them for too long, and to be able to forgive and move on when I feel that I've been wronged. To hold on when there is nothing left is a complete waste of effort, and so not worth it.
3. Selflessness - As an only child, my parents have always put me in the centre of their lives. I didn't have a lot growing up because we were so poor back then, but my family always gave me all of them when they could. I wouldn't say I'm spoiled, but I do feel like I have a sense of entitlement that I need to shed as I mature and grow older. While there are days I regret my decision, ultimately I feel refreshed doing something for others for a change. Do I need the money? Of course not, what can minimum wage less transportation costs really grant me that is so much more abundant than what I make at the Pet Valu Helpdesk? Do I need the job? I start full-time work at Deloitte in 2 months, so my career has already been planned for the next few years. For once, I am doing something that isn't purely self-guided. Although my intentions were to escape the cocoon lifestyle of self-wallowing that I was trapped in since I got back from my trip, sometimes I catch myself wondering, "Is God proud of me that I took this experience?" He put me here and gave me this opportunity for a reason, so instead of living in the past or waiting for the future, why don't I enjoy the moment for once?
Conclusion:
All in all, I might not last that long with this new job, and it is definitely temporary, but I feel like God has taught me a lot these last two days and that the experience itself was something that I had to try myself to really understand and mature as a person. Yes it's frustrating, it's tiring and it's difficult, but at the same time, rewards don't come for free. If I can say that I left this position a better man, then I think it would have been worth the fight. It's my last summer off before the real world hits -- what better way to spend the time than to use it to become a more well-rounded and complete Christian?
P.S.
I finally had the chance to meet up with my old pastor last night, who was one of the most influential mentors I had when I was growing up as a teenager. I hadn't seen him in about 4 years since I left Zion, but I guess it didn't matter whether I was 16 or 22, our relationship never really changed. While he didn't tell me anything that I didn't know already, he helped me accept those things for what they really are -- the truth. The rest is up to me to maintain that focus and not lose sight of the path I am supposed to be on. I can't really return the favour, so I guess if you're reading this Hafsen, for now I'll just say;
thanks.
For those that don't know, I recently took a job as a fundraiser on behalf of the Canadian Cancer Society to canvas for donations downtown during the week. Yes, I'm one of those extremely disliked people that I fully admit to shafting when I was on the other side of the coin. I don't think anyone can really prepare you for the grueling task of standing on a busy street in mid 30 degrees weather asking people if they have time to stop and chat so you can try to convince them to donate to charity on a monthly basis.
During some stretches of my long day, I ask myself, "Vic, what the hell were you thinking taking this job? You start full-time work as an accountant at Deloitte in September, so why are you spending a blistering hot summer out on the streets everyday for 9 hours begging people for money?" Believe me when I say sometimes I have no answer to why I suddenly decided to turn my lifestyle upside down. The job isn't exactly easy by any means, and while I said I needed a change of pace, sometimes I feel a bit overwhelmed by it. It is physically and mentally draining, but in the end, it is a challenge I would like to see myself overcoming. My manager said during training that if you can succeed in this job, you can succeed in anything.
The Good
Every canvasser has to go through a 5 day evaluation period where they must raise a minimum of $160 in monthly donations (we don't take one time gifts). After my first day, I PAC'ed $85 from 2 people, which was surprisingly nice. The second day I only had $10, but the positive out of being able to PAC $95 in two days is the self confidence to believe that "Hey, I think I can do this.." I guess all that smiling for tips at Baskin Robbins really paid off.
The Bad
Did I mention the minimum wage, the standing and the heat already? Oh, I did? Well take all those things and couple it with the fact that some people who walk by you think of you as less than human; like you're the gum on the bottom of their shoe. They think so less of you that many don't even bother to acknowledge your presence. I've seen old ladies scream at my colleagues, people flip us off, threaten us and use various derogatory terms that are pretty personal even though everyone says not to take it seriously. Buddy, we canvas for a not-for-profit charity organization trying to fight cancer for those who have contracted the illness and for those that might in the future. We are not trying to rob you or sell you anything, and yet some people still believe in the fact that there's a conspiracy that the cure for cancer has already been found and organizations like the CCS are just clever corporate cash cows. Why don't you tell that business model to my aunt and cousin in China who lost a husband and a father to pancreatic cancer? Sometimes the insensitivity of Canadians infuriate me. We generally are considered compassionate, but that facade really comes to light when you witness firsthand the selfishness of our society and the heartlessness of a collective city.
The Lessons
1. Humility - Sometimes I'm susceptible to subconsciously feeling like I am above others when I have superior ability or past achievements based on the fact that having self confidence has been ingrained into my nature. This job has served as a good reminder by putting myself in a position to be talked or looked down upon to realize that as a Christian, I need to humble myself to the world. Am I better than you? Maybe, but I will never explicitly give you the dirty look that tell you I believe that. Now that I can speak from experience, trust me when I say that there aren't many feelings worse than that.
2. Tolerance - When I was little, my mom always told me to stand up for myself and not let anybody push me around. I might have taken that advice to heart a bit too much. I've always had a pretty quick temper and a hard time letting things go. This is especially evident with my sharp mouth and my hotheadedness when I'm on the court. It is definitely something I've been working on lately -- to be a better person in general. Less drama in life, no technical fouls during the season, more mature mindset and outlook etc. While I've never been shy in public, I've also never been glared at, completely ignored, or treated like dirt by so many people so many times in a single day. It is an effective test to gauge my mettle to shrug off offensive gestures, insults and actions, put a smile on my face and begin anew with the next one. Undoubtedly, there will be many cases of failed plans, challenges and difficulties in life. This experience will help me not be shackled by them for too long, and to be able to forgive and move on when I feel that I've been wronged. To hold on when there is nothing left is a complete waste of effort, and so not worth it.
3. Selflessness - As an only child, my parents have always put me in the centre of their lives. I didn't have a lot growing up because we were so poor back then, but my family always gave me all of them when they could. I wouldn't say I'm spoiled, but I do feel like I have a sense of entitlement that I need to shed as I mature and grow older. While there are days I regret my decision, ultimately I feel refreshed doing something for others for a change. Do I need the money? Of course not, what can minimum wage less transportation costs really grant me that is so much more abundant than what I make at the Pet Valu Helpdesk? Do I need the job? I start full-time work at Deloitte in 2 months, so my career has already been planned for the next few years. For once, I am doing something that isn't purely self-guided. Although my intentions were to escape the cocoon lifestyle of self-wallowing that I was trapped in since I got back from my trip, sometimes I catch myself wondering, "Is God proud of me that I took this experience?" He put me here and gave me this opportunity for a reason, so instead of living in the past or waiting for the future, why don't I enjoy the moment for once?
Conclusion:
All in all, I might not last that long with this new job, and it is definitely temporary, but I feel like God has taught me a lot these last two days and that the experience itself was something that I had to try myself to really understand and mature as a person. Yes it's frustrating, it's tiring and it's difficult, but at the same time, rewards don't come for free. If I can say that I left this position a better man, then I think it would have been worth the fight. It's my last summer off before the real world hits -- what better way to spend the time than to use it to become a more well-rounded and complete Christian?
P.S.
I finally had the chance to meet up with my old pastor last night, who was one of the most influential mentors I had when I was growing up as a teenager. I hadn't seen him in about 4 years since I left Zion, but I guess it didn't matter whether I was 16 or 22, our relationship never really changed. While he didn't tell me anything that I didn't know already, he helped me accept those things for what they really are -- the truth. The rest is up to me to maintain that focus and not lose sight of the path I am supposed to be on. I can't really return the favour, so I guess if you're reading this Hafsen, for now I'll just say;
thanks.
oh wow. so that's your new job. it was 43 degrees yesterday, it must be really bad for you! Commuting to work is a bitch, it take me 1.5 hrs each day to go home from Keeles and Steeles. but at least you are making money. good job Lu Flu.
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