The Passion of the Nursery
The new layout for our backyard means that we have space for at least a few more fruit trees (we already have apricots, oranges and plums). So this afternoon we went looking for nurseries in our area to see if we could find some good fruit trees.
We stumbled across Wandilla nursery, which is a big nursery specialising in fruit trees. It’s a great place to go, they have a huge range and they’re nice people. It’s a family-run place and they’re really willing to give you good advice and take the time to find out what would suit your garden best (rather than just trying to sell you something and move on to the next customer).
We asked the young lady who works there (her father owns the place I think) for some advice, and I was really taken with how passionate she was about her job. She led us from tree to tree, breathlessly telling us how great each tree was and what was unique about it, and why it might suit our backyard. She was so passionate about everything there, she spoke about each tree as if it was a close friend or a member of her family. It was inspiring.
Towards the end of our discussion her pet cat came up and greeted her after his afternoon nap, and I realised that she actually lives next door to the place. I realised then how lucky she is: she lives in a terrific place, and she’s passionate about what she does — I would think that her work doesn’t really seem like work to her.
Inevitably I compare that to my own situation, and I’m certainly nowhere near as passionate about my work as she is, though I long for that. I need to reassess what I’m doing and find work in my passions.
␄
October 3rd, 2006 at 1:34 pm
Lately I’ve been struggling with this problem, but I’m not even sure where my passions lie. Figuring out what kind of changes need to occur when you don’t know the end-point is hard. It’s a real chicken and egg.
October 3rd, 2006 at 3:22 pm
Then there’s also the problem of finding a passion that pays well too. Though I guess if you’re really that happy at work then you don’t care so much about the money.
October 3rd, 2006 at 3:40 pm
I fear for both of you - wondering about a change of career this close to meeting post-Spain Tony is a dangerous thing
October 3rd, 2006 at 4:37 pm
Guys, the grass is ALWAYS greener. Forget about that happy nursery person. She’s probably crippled with insecurity at nights when she thinks of her merchant banker friends.
October 3rd, 2006 at 10:58 pm
I’d like to believe you Dallas, I really would, but she had a family of bandicoots living in the nursery too. That’s like a trump card — any job that involves living with a family of rare animals wins hands down.
October 4th, 2006 at 12:03 pm
It’s not about green grass. It’s about not knowing which way to go.
October 4th, 2006 at 12:04 pm
Oooh that was quite zen.
October 5th, 2006 at 8:29 am
A cow eats without a knife.
October 5th, 2006 at 12:23 pm
Bandicoots? Them’s good eatin’.
October 7th, 2006 at 11:42 pm
It´s Ok guys, I have the perfect solution: we pool our savings and open a tapas bar on a beach somewhere…
Hmm, maybe Gregg has a point
August 21st, 2007 at 7:27 pm
Hi,
Came to this site by accident! I live in Maida Vale so guess I am somewhere near you.You may like to visit Wondawest Nursery (in the Swan Valley),they have thousands of unusual fruit and nut trees.
Regards
Michele
March 10th, 2008 at 8:41 pm
hi, i came across this when i was confirming the address for wandilla nursery… as i am about to send a present to this ‘happy person’ as she is my sister.
she is a brilliant, talented and generous person - so well spotted to the initial bloggers response (hope the trees are doing well) and boo to the person who thinks she thinks of her merchant wanker friends. i am not as nice as her - 5 years in london sorted that out….so i can assure you like me, she does not have any friends like that (through deselection) and even if she did would offer nothing but empathy for the fact that its going to take them their whole life to work out money cant buy you time, happiness, love nor real friends - as apart from being lovely she also has credibility and taste.
best
loyal sister
March 10th, 2008 at 9:43 pm
Ouch.
March 11th, 2008 at 12:37 am
Loyal Sister,
My apologies if my comment seemed disparaging towards your sister. I should have instead referred to a hypothetical, imaginary happy nursery worker.
My sentiment was along the lines of “don’t worry guys, not everyone’s life is perfect”.
Even someone with a perfect track record of successes and correct decisions must (by definition!) have a string of opportunity costs left behind them - which their ambition won’t let them forget. That’s life.
Cheers,
Dallas