"Find something you love to do, and you'll never work a day in your life."

I came across this saying again recently and, for the first time, my immediate reaction was, "Baloney!" I surprised myself. I've always rather liked the motto. After all, we spend so many of our waking hours at our jobs, it's a shame if all those precious hours feel like enslavement. Yes, sometimes it's a necessary evil, but if it can at all be helped, much better to be spending your days in a job or business you love. Of course. That goes without saying, even though I just said it. But do you know of any job that doesn't involve some real work? Some unpleasant chores? Some tedium? Of course not. I guess part of the reason I reacted so strongly to the adage on this occasion is that since I gave up my safe government job last year, I've spent oodles of time working on my musical life, often in ways I didn't expect. I did expect to be writing new songs, rehearsing with accompanists, and booking gigs. I didn't expect to be producing shows, building bandstands, or arranging music for trumpets and trombones. Those unexpected things have been fun, but they've also been hard work for a first-timer. And there's the unfun stuff, too. Writing grant proposals, bookkeeping, untangling scheduling conflicts, managing egos (and sometimes that means my own)... That's all just part of the package. Between my two jobs — mother and musician — I keep my days pretty full. I love my jobs. I love both my jobs. But, let me tell you: I work. Every single day. And, no matter how much you love your job, I bet you do, too.