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In this hectic, crazy, and cynical world in which we live, the people of North America still set aside one day each year to slow down, introspect, and give thanks for all the blessings we have enjoyed the previous year.
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Our Canadian friends have already celebrated their Thanksgiving Day, which occurs every year on the second Monday in October. In the United States we set aside the fourth Thursday in November to give thanks for the gifts we have enjoyed. While some people still thank a God for their good fortune, for many Thanksgiving has evolved into a mostly secular holiday replete with family reunions and feasting, obscene portions of turkey, parades, and football games. And while most folks focus on the blessings of family, friends, health, and home, I thought perhaps it would be appropriate, this year, to pause and reflect on some of the bounty and blessings we enjoy in terms of our eye care profession.
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I must admit the idea for this somewhat self-indulgent essay was inspired by a completely off-handed remark I overheard an optician make at a recent continuing education seminar I was teaching in Tampa, Florida. During one of our breaks I caught the tale end of something he said to a colleague with whom he had been doing a bit of reminiscing and catching up. "You know," he said with sincerity and earnestness, "at least we all still have jobs and we don't have to work digging ditches in the hot sun somewhere." Two brilliant observations!
While current estimates in America put the unemployment rate somewhere between six and seven percent of our population, some less optimistic economists predict that in the coming year that figure may approach the ten percent mark! And yet, we are involved in a profession that seems to be more and more in demand. I have recently noticed more optical entrepreneurs opening independent dispensaries. And with a Wal-Mart Vision Center popping up on nearly every street corner of every town across this nation, at least in my licensed home state of Florida, it is becoming more and more difficult for corporations to staff their dispensaries with experienced, qualified (and most importantly) state-licensed opticians.
And if simply the availability or abundance of optical jobs isn't enough to excite your "thanksgiving gene," here's something that might help: money. Even if the only economics class we ever took was at the high school level, we all remember the theory of supply and demand: As the supply of goods or services decrease and the demand increases, the price for those goods and services increase proportionally. In plain English, this means opticians' salaries are reaching all-time highs. That's enough to inspire even the most callous among us to truly give thanks.
Despite the fact that our economy is experiencing greater challenges than anytime in our lives, perhaps some thanks is appropriate simply because the commodity we offer (eyewear) is a necessity, not a luxury. Regardless of what happens in terms of economy and job market, people will always need to see. Thankfully it is opticians they'll have to visit in order to fill that need.
This year, our Thanksgiving occurs very late in the month – November 27. As November wanes and winter takes hold, certainly we should be thankful that we work indoors, in safe, comfortable environments. I know over the years, I have found myself driving to the office in the middle of July (remember, I'm in Florida), with the temperature and humidity both pushing the 100 degree and percent level, consciously thinking to myself, "Thank God I don't have to work outside."
Many times when opticians get together and the conversation turns to work, inevitably the banter turns to one-upmanship. Who can relate the most horrifying patient or customer encounter? "You won't believe what this one so-and-so said…" "Oh that's nothing, I had a jerk who…" Having been in this profession for nearly thirty years I wouldn't even try to convince you that some of our patients aren't real jerks – they are. But let's be honest. The vast majority of the people we service are good, kind, decent human beings, most of whom are thankful themselves for the eyeglasses or contact lenses we have provided. We have an opportunity – every day – to meet and network with other professional and talented people. The friendships, associations, partnerships, and relationships I have enjoyed thanks to my profession are literally too numerous to mention.
I venture to say that many of you, like me, even met your life partner or significant other only because you were an eye care professional. Had I not been working at the J.C. Penney Optical Center at University Square Mall in Tampa, Florida in 1979, I probably never would have met my wife, Andrea, to whom I have been married now for 27 years. Surely some form of thanks is due there.
So this year, if your family is one that still invokes God's blessing or says a prayer before the Thanksgiving feast begins, and you happen to be the one called on to "say grace," perhaps it would be appropriate, in between mentioning family and health and all the other "standard" items, why not add a word or two of thanksgiving for the profession far too many of us take for granted – the profession that in some small measure is responsible for the bounty we enjoy. You'll be thankful you did.
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