Choices

This week we had to read and respond to a couple of mini case studies regarding choices one might have to make when in the working world, either as an entrepreneur or working for another business.  After our response, we were to engage in discussion with our class mates on the discussion boards.  I thought it was interesting that an overwhelming majority of the responses mentioned that they would never choose work over their family, regardless of the circumstances.  I can't help but wonder if those responses came from people who have never been in the workforce.  I don't think they are wrong in wanting to always choose their family in these circumstances, I just don't know that it's always realistic.

Just this week, I was forced to make a choice.  A dear friend's mother passed away and I made plans to attend the funeral service, not only to support my friend but to also honor a woman that I respected and loved.  Death is never convenient, but this funeral happened to fall on my day off which would make it possible to attend.  A coworker also had a death in her family this week and that funeral service was at the same time as the funeral I was planning to attend.  My coworker was left trying to find somebody to cover her position for the day and that duty fell to me as the only qualified person to perform her responsibilities.

I wanted to say no for several reasons, but if I were to refuse to cover my coworker, it would leave her stranded and unable to mourn the loss of her loved one with her family.  While I desperately wanted to attend the funeral of my friend's mother, I knew that I needed to forgo that opportunity to assist my coworker and work on my day off.  While it wasn't my first choice and it prevented me from supporting my friend, in the end, it was more important for me to extend kindness and compassion to my coworker by working for her than to support my friend. 

I realize this situation wasn't as extreme as those presented in this week's case studies, but it emphasizes the fact that as contributors to the workforce, we have to make choices every day that will have a trickle-down impact on those around us.  The impact isn't always negative, but if we don't make mindful, thoughtful, and meaningful decisions, the impact can definitely be disastrous. 

This week we read the talk titled, "Formula for Success" by Thomas S. Monson.  In it he gives a simple, three step formula to help the journey through mortality and achieve the reward of exaltation.  The following are the three steps to the formula:

1. Fill your mind with truth.
2. Fill your life with service.
3. Fill your heart with love.

While I don't know that I will master this formula for success in my mortal life, I do feel like I was successful in practicing two of the three steps this week.  My heart was definitely filled with love (and a lot of aching) for both my friend and coworker as the loss of their family members.  In trying to make the right choice, I ultimately chose to serve my coworker on this one day so she could be with her family.  I think I made the right choice.