Do You Need Trophies?

Daily, we see people enjoying the fruits of their own labor by their appearance, their social status and the way they carry themselves and as humans do, we begin to ponder upon why they receive the recognition and your hard work goes unnoticed. You know what I'm talking about... the kid who never shows up to math class but passes every test or the employee who shows up late to every shift but just got that raise.

Situations like these usually result in people quitting or beginning to doubt themselves.

Not today Satan.

After 18 years (almost 19!) of experience, I've learned that it takes real effort to focus on what you receive but it's effortless to give.

There have been many of times when I've felt I deserved to be reimbursed for how much energy I've put into something but it's only left me stagnant. Sitting around and waiting for a trophy or recognition doesn't make your bank account any larger or make your day any shorter.

It's almost as if our society has demoted itself to the mindset of a prostitute, where we're willing to do whatever it takes as long as the check has our name on it.

If someone offered you a million dollars to do something totally out of your comfort zone and against your own personal values, would you need time to contemplate whether it was worth it or not? Exactly.

Live life freely, literally.

I can't tell you how many times I've held the door open for people and not heard a simple "thank you." It cost me $0.00 to do that but I'll take it and run with it. I know someone or something is going to reimburse me for a simple gesture, and it may not be a $20 bill but a priceless, well-deserved "Thanks, kid!"

I'm sure there are many people reading this who know exactly what hurt I'm talking about. The rejection of a team or a job stays with you for a while but should it keep you from seeking other, or potentially better opportunities?

Hell no.

As an employee in customer-service, it's hard to recognize your hard work besides the payment I receive every two-weeks. Within those two-weeks, I never have time or energy to put into wondering if I'm going to get a tip for bringing this single-mother a chair for her baby.

At this point in my life, it's more and more obvious to me that my time and my energy put into positive gestures will be returned in exactly that - positive gestures.

You get in what you put out in this world. Don't let your hard work falter because you aren't being compensated, you're not a whore.

Just wanted to give a shout out to myself for working so damn hard over the last few months just because I don't need anyone to tell me or pay me for it.

Try re-paying yourself, it's a deposit that rolls over for a lifetime.