After countless turndowns for several positions as a management assistant, I decided to do whatever work is available, because no job earning your income in an honest way is dishonorable. Reading and learning from several experiences of others in vulnerable positions served as a catalyzer to roll up my sleeves, get out in the streets and shake some trees.
“I took a part-time job as an aircraft cleaner at Amsterdam Airport”
This was quite challenging, because I never worked as a cleaner anywhere else besides at my own residence. At the same time this intense adversity served as a humbling -not humiliating- experience in many ways. While everything was running smoothly, and I had sufficient funds at my disposal, never, ever did it cross my mind to work at what is considered menial or underrated job.
Working as an aircraft cleaner allowed me to get acquainted with people from all walks of life showing their ‘colors.’ Among them were also highly educated and skilled professionals, who for a number of reasons are working that job for their sole and main income.
The first week my limbs and muscles felt almost lame and crippled from walking and climbing aircraft stairs and having to work in tiny spaces.
This ‘under my skin’ experience was holding up a mirror before me. Before, I also considered these jobs to be at ground level. Now I count them as important as the corporate jobs, many of us look up to.
Just stop and think what public spaces look like when garbage collectors strike for days or weeks? Or several facility employees called in sick on Monday morning when you had that high level meeting scheduled for 09.00 a.m.?
My next trip boarding an aircraft and fastening my seatbelt will definitely be with a different mindset and attitude. Same goes for a visit to the lavatory and pantry.
“Stretching, bending and bouncing back make us resilient”
Concluding I thank God for allowing this piece of Adversity, which serves as a reminder to practice what I preach by living “The Golden Rule.” ‘Do unto others as you would have done unto you.’
Tirzah
