There is a lot of talk these days about “Living Your Best Life.”
Seems like to many, “Living Your Best Life” means not having to work 9 to 5, making a lot of money, taking off and going whenever and wherever you like.
When we began The PIER Center for Life Enrichment in 2011 our dream was to provide a place where adults with different abilities could learn job skills, get paid, have a sense of purpose and know the joy of having meaningful work.
Our son Josh had work at a local CiCi’s Pizza for about five years. The owner and manager were friends and shared a passion to see Josh succeed. He loved it!
Eventually the store changed owners and a new manger came in—What once was a great experience for Josh was no longer great. He went from having a job he enjoyed and getting a weekly paycheck to nothing.
We had to do something for Josh and the many other adults like him that we knew. That’s why we began a The PIER—To train and employee people with different abilities. We worked with well over 100 of these amazing adults. Many of which went on to work for other businesses very successfully.
It was always a joy to see Josh and others love to show up to work. They came with an enthusiasm that every employer would love to see. They worked hard, gave their very best and found the joy that meaningful and purposeful work provides.
With their own money they could now buy a birthday or Christmas present for their parents with their own money. That’s something many in today’s work force take for granted.
Meaningful work isn’t the only component of living your best life—But it is a part of it.
Having the opportunity to learn, grow and give to others is really what I think living your best life is all about. Now we make and sell our very own Ellie Mae Sweet Treats for dogs. Honest hard work is a part of living your best life every day, no matter what your abilities are.
