Error message

Book Review for September: The Purpose and Passion of Work CALLINGS

Saturday, September 22, 2018 - 2:30pm
Tami L. Johnson

Have you ever wondered what else is out there for you?  What else can you do to earn a dollar? Or more?  The drudgery of getting up every morning and clocking in can be monotonous and stifling, for some, but it doesn’t have to be.  It can be fulfilling and rewarding even without the big paycheck.

The book, The Purpose and Passion of Work: CALLINGS, for example can help you discover a whole host of interesting and meaningful jobs out there. Some that you might even want to pursue yourself! This book will open your eyes to new ideas and a fresh perspective on the daily jobs people do.

Written by Dave Isay, The Purpose and Passion of Work: CALLINGS is a storycorps book of gathered information from several men and women who share a love for the jobs they’ve worked so hard toward. Some who’ve stumbled upon these jobs and others who’ve ultimately chose  them from the beginning. These folks share HOW they came to this point in their lives and the decisions that shaped their careers.

 Each of these people shared their experiences with someone close to them, in an interview style, whether it be a spouse, daughter, son, friend, relative or co-worker.

For example, we learn about Actor Ricardo Pitts-Wiley, 53 who spoke to his son, Jonathan Pitts-Wiley, 22.  

Ricardo Pitts-Wiley grew up in a small town called Sumpter, Michigan, far out in the country.  He was very comfortable in his high school with all of his African American friends.  However, things changed and he was bussed out to another school where they were only 2% of the population. 

“It was awful. I wanted to get out of there, so I did just enough to get by.”

By and by Ricardo Pitts-Wiley tried out for the school plays and after some time, realized he loved it! He wanted to do more!  This led to great discovery of becoming an actor…

One of the more interesting and unusual careers I found out about in this book was that of a funeral director, Don Byles, 65 who spoke with his daughter and protegee, Mackenzie Byles, 25. 

Mackenzie is very young but is becoming very involved with her Dad in the funeral business.  She will one day take over his responsibilities the funeral home. 

Don asked Mackenzie what she felt the hardest part of her job was? Her reply was, “People don’t realize that it’s a 24-7 thing—especially kids my age.  I’m on call every other night and every other weekend, so I don’t get much freedom.”

Yet she enjoys the work and you can read to find out why…

You’ll want to pick up this book and get acquainted with the hundreds of fascinating jobs out there and why people chose them.  Their journeys are truly inspiring!  You will, no doubt, be fulfilled after reading this book and possibly have a desire of your own to make a change.

Tags: