My shoe store job is history now.

Eugene, Oregon
October 7, 2016 1:24pm CST
My friend Rick died this week, as I wrote about earlier. His untimely and sudden death at 70 put me in a frame of mind that made me decide that I did not, at my age, need to spend a lot of time working and chasing commission dollars in a shoe store. I will continue my very part time work, for a while at least, with the bird seed store, since that is fun, though pays a bit less. I was assigned yesterday to an eight hour shift on concrete floors in the shoe outlet store and when my manager showed up, I told him that we could curtail my training since I would be leaving. He tried to dissuade me and I felt bad for him since the full-time person he hired quit after two days at the main store. I was home by mid-afternoon and feel great about my decision. Life is too short at my age to work that hard.
20 people like this
22 responses
@JudyEv (326126)
• Rockingham, Australia
8 Oct 16
I'm sure you've done the right thing. Sometimes it takes a bit of a shock to help us get our priorities in order.
3 people like this
@JohnRoberts (109857)
• Los Angeles, California
7 Oct 16
Have you been beyond retirement age?
2 people like this
• Eugene, Oregon
7 Oct 16
Well beyond, John. I retired six years ago from full-time work and did not work for five years, until the bird seed people said they needed help a year ago. I am 76 now since September.
2 people like this
@JohnRoberts (109857)
• Los Angeles, California
7 Oct 16
@JamesHxstatic Time to take it easy. I get that you enjoy earning a few extra bucks and meeting people but there comes a time to stop putting yourself through the rigors of a "time clock" and all that.
2 people like this
• Eugene, Oregon
7 Oct 16
@JohnRoberts That is for sure. The birding store is a pretty relaxed atmosphere compared to the pressure of shoe sales.
1 person likes this
• Grand Junction, Colorado
7 Oct 16
I agree that life is to short. We all need to enjoy it more. If you find you need to work then I would suggest something that isn't stressful, no high demands, something fun. I'm glad you feel you made the right decision.
• Eugene, Oregon
7 Oct 16
Not that I really have to work, but that "mad money" is for extra things. Thanks for the encouragement.
2 people like this
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
8 Oct 16
That's a nice decision . When one gets older , we should take the time to relax always . We can work , but not for long hours and besides , it should not be a stressful kind of work.
2 people like this
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
9 Oct 16
@JamesHxstatic I agree .
2 people like this
• Eugene, Oregon
8 Oct 16
That is the key. Sales is stressful and eight hour days are far too long.
2 people like this
@marlina (154165)
• Canada
7 Oct 16
Excellent and wise decision! Just enjoy your life now.
2 people like this
@marlina (154165)
• Canada
7 Oct 16
@JamesHxstatic Good, make sure that you resist all offers.
2 people like this
• Eugene, Oregon
7 Oct 16
I have a new perspective and will avoid further offers of employment. Thanks!
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (459212)
• Switzerland
8 Oct 16
You took the right decision James. It's nice to have a bit more money to spend, but the important is to be healthy enough to be able to spend what we have. Enjoy your life and do not stress too much, this is what I always say to my husband too.
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (459212)
• Switzerland
8 Oct 16
@JamesHxstatic I am very sorry for your friend, 70 is the age of my husband.
1 person likes this
• Eugene, Oregon
8 Oct 16
That is my plan for sure. Thanks, Anna.
2 people like this
@louievill (28851)
• Philippines
7 Oct 16
Time comes when it's time to hang the gloves and so they say, good decision and nice to hear that there is something else that you love doing, good luck to you James, birds look more like fun
2 people like this
• Eugene, Oregon
7 Oct 16
They are for sure. Thank you.
1 person likes this
• United States
7 Oct 16
my deepest condolences, hon. i'm 'hind 's usual'n'd not read 'f yer loss :( (apologies, couldn't jest give ya a handshake fer that) i'm glad though that'cha decided not to keep that shoe store gig. i'd much rather be 'round all that schtuff 't the bird seed store than'n a stuffy place filled with shoes'n indecisive customers.
1 person likes this
• United States
10 Oct 16
@JamesHxstatic yer welcome, my friend! i bet 'tis so, i'd sure be happier there :)
1 person likes this
• Eugene, Oregon
10 Oct 16
@crazyhorseladycx I am at that.
1 person likes this
• Eugene, Oregon
7 Oct 16
Thanks for that, hugs gratefully accepted.. Yes the bird shop is a much easier place to work.
2 people like this
• United States
8 Oct 16
Sounds like you made a good decision giving up the shoe sales. The bird seed store sounds like it's a better fit
1 person likes this
• Eugene, Oregon
8 Oct 16
I forgot how much I did not like selling shoes.
8 Oct 16
I'm sorry about your friend Rick. And I think you made a wise decision. Enjoy yourself!
1 person likes this
• Eugene, Oregon
8 Oct 16
That I am, thanks.
1 person likes this
@paigea (35750)
• Canada
7 Oct 16
No, fun jobs are enough once we retire.
2 people like this
@teenspirit (1597)
• Israel
8 Oct 16
I think its a very smart decision
1 person likes this
• Eugene, Oregon
8 Oct 16
Thanks, it still feels like the right thing to do.
1 person likes this
@CoolPeace (1566)
• Miami, Florida
8 Oct 16
That was a good choice you made and at the end you going to see a great purpose from this.
1 person likes this
• Eugene, Oregon
8 Oct 16
That would be a good thing. Thanks!
1 person likes this
@jennyjoy (1961)
• Bangalore, India
8 Oct 16
You were working two jobs at your age.Wow! Enjoy your Leisure time.
1 person likes this
• Eugene, Oregon
8 Oct 16
It was two jobs, but not too many hours per week. The newest one had to go.
1 person likes this
@jennyjoy (1961)
• Bangalore, India
9 Oct 16
@JamesHxstatic Glad for you
1 person likes this
• India
8 Oct 16
That is the realisation! It is applicable for all of us. The real purpose in life is to enjoy it to the maximum. Money is needed for our survival but spending too much time in making money doesn't fulfil the real purpose of life. Hence, I wish you to stick to your decision and continue enjoying your life.
1 person likes this
• Eugene, Oregon
8 Oct 16
Yes, I will avoid any further employment offers and continue doing enjoyable things.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43419)
• Denver, Colorado
8 Oct 16
Work to live, not live to work, as they say.
1 person likes this
• Eugene, Oregon
8 Oct 16
You got that right, Scott!
1 person likes this
@kuloboyo (72)
• Yogyakarta, Indonesia
8 Oct 16
yes, you right, life too short.. :) but , i hope you always happy .. :) and always have time to playing with your grandchild :)
1 person likes this
• Eugene, Oregon
8 Oct 16
Thank for the good wishes.
@5thHouse (1678)
• Sheffield, England
8 Oct 16
Sorry to hear about your friend. I think you are quite right. Life is too short and there is far more to explore than just working. After my dad retired he took an Open University Degree, learned to speak Italian, went to art classes and travelled. He never missed work at all.
1 person likes this
• Eugene, Oregon
8 Oct 16
That was a great thing for him to do!
@princemaxp (2027)
• Bhubaneshwar, India
7 Oct 16
that's good to hear.....work there where you feel happy...
1 person likes this
• Eugene, Oregon
7 Oct 16
That is the best way.
1 person likes this
@RitzzView (2994)
• India
10 Oct 16
Good to know that you took the right decision! Have a good time ahead!
1 person likes this