Thursday 13 - Reasons Why I Work So Hard

I hated cancer long before I ever had a personal reason to. I know the exact moment when it happened. I was watching a documentary on PBS about a little girl being treated by doctor. At the time I was watching it, I did not know that I would someday meet that doctor in person my first day on the job. The fact that I serendipitously ended up working for the very place whose work was highlighted on that documentary just shows that it was meant to be. I was captivated then and now. I’m a workaholic and feel very lucky that I can use my business-brain to help those with scientific ones.

My Thursday 13 this week is dedicated to the 13 reasons why I work so hard. Hope they are as motivating for you as they are for me...

1. Grandpa - He taught me how to work hard early on and I hope I make him proud. I miss him each and every day.

2. Joel West Baillie - He taught me how to live life in a bus ride conversation I know will stay with me in my heart forever. CAKE Rules!!! And thanks to him…there are some songs that I just can’t listen too without bursting into tears.

3. Chassity Flint - She taught me to go after what I want because it is silly not too. Every butterfly, dragonfly, and ladybug reminds me of her strength, grace, and love. Oh yes…and she helped me to find my inner diva.

4. Camp Fantastic Campers - Each and every lovely face that smiles and giggles in the most perfect place in the world that exists for just one week in August. The amazing energy they bring that fills the hollow the moment they make their way down the winding roads in the buses with the teams of motorcyclists that lead them in. How their strength and bravery surpasses all that faces them. How every year you are forever changed because of each and every one of them.

5. Camp Fantastic Volunteers - The energy, creativity, and unconditional love of a special group of people who gather for one week in August and make it happen. A team in every sense of the word. Willing hands to help. Smiling faces to cheer. And duct tape…lots and lots of duct tape.

6. Cancer Sucks - I don’t know that I need to give any specifics on this one. It touches everyone in one or another and that fact never leaves me.

7. Great Minds - I am so lucky to be able to interact with incredibly smart people who work tirelessly to kick cancer ass. If any little bit of what I do throughout the day helps them…then in some way I am kicking cancer ass too.

8. Caretakers - The strength, tenacity, and love of the folks who care is not always seen or out in the open…but it is there and it is strong.

9. The Horizon – There is something about my intuition that tells me that some of the ideas that I hear percolating now are going to bring good things in the future. When I sit in meetings sometimes I get goose bumps thinking about where things are going to go over the span of my career. Perspective is a very cool thing.

10. This Picture. (See #4 above)



11. Appreciation – Positive reinforcement goes along way so when people tell me that me I never “nag”, I “remind” it makes me feel good. Not everyone can keep things moving along in a “nice” way. ;) Maybe my first name helps…can you get mad at someone named Joy???

12. Writing – I may never finish any novels but my working writing helps to tell different kinds of stories and that is still satisfying.

13. Motivation – When I get tired or frustrated all I have to do is think of items # 1 – 10 and then I keep on going.


Do you have a reason for me to keep working hard? Drop me a comment and let me know...


If you would like to check out other Thursday 13's...have at it by clicking here!!!