I read this quote recently and it got me thinking. "how many people settle for a just a job and put their passion on the back burner? How many people know in their hearts they are destined to do one thing, but allow the events in their life to lead them away from that calling?"
I went to college wanting to be a teacher. I thought "Art" as a major would do it for me. I found out in a short time that Art would not be a good fit for me, especially if I had to conform to the head of the art department at the college I was attending. He and I did not see eye to eye at all. So, I switched majors to elementary education. Somewhere along the way, I lost my way, my drive, my desire to do much of anything. I quit college, I got a job doing piddly squat, lived at home with Mom and Dad and just existed. I decided that a dead end job was not cutting it, and went back to school, this time at a different school. I got an Associates degree in Business Administration and Finance. (Read here, that qualified me as either a bookkeeper or a "secretary.") I changed jobs a few time, finally landed in the laboratory of a local factory, where I sorta existed, but made good money for the position and the times. I got married, my wife and I raised two children etc. Life was good. Then after toiling at this job for about 27 years, never really liking it or disliking it, the company sold out, closed up our division and I was out in the cold, 56 years old, and no one wanting to hire me because, "hey, we'll get him all trained, then he'll retire."
Opportunity struck in an odd way. There was an opening at our local Middle School for a Special Education Aide. The job didn't pay very well, but had excellent benefits, insurance and it was local. I applied, even though they had already said that application time was closed. Luckily, I knew someone in the Special Ed. department, and she put in a good word for me. They called me to come in for an interview, found out that I had 2+ years of college towards an degree in education, held an associated degree and was eager, available, warm bodied, needed a job, etc, etc. I heard that after I left, they wanted to chase me down and offer me the job, but the principal said, "Lets at least wait until he gets home to call him."
The rest is history. I worked as a Special Ed. Aide at the Middle School, but because I was "ahead of the game" as far as education went, I was called the "second teacher in the classroom" was treated like another teacher with the same rights and respect, just not the same pay scale. That was okay with me, I had finally become a "teacher." I was realizing my passion. I loved every moment I spent in that school, and with the kids. I felt needed. I had at least one "Aha" moment with a student each year I was there. That was my reward. I substianted our income by teaching English and Comp at a small Jr. College about an hour away 3 or 4 nights a week. Plus I drove a bus for our local transit system when I could work it into their and my schedule.
I retired when I reached 65. I was tired, and then alone after my wife's passing. But I was content because I got to follow my passion after all. It took me a long while to get there, but I did it. How many of us go our whole lives and never get to realize our passion? I consider myself lucky that I got to spend the last 9 years of my working career doing what I had the passion for.
Don't wait 27 years to realize your passion. Do what you love, but more important, love what you do!
Until next time,
Go! Create something!
JF
I went to college wanting to be a teacher. I thought "Art" as a major would do it for me. I found out in a short time that Art would not be a good fit for me, especially if I had to conform to the head of the art department at the college I was attending. He and I did not see eye to eye at all. So, I switched majors to elementary education. Somewhere along the way, I lost my way, my drive, my desire to do much of anything. I quit college, I got a job doing piddly squat, lived at home with Mom and Dad and just existed. I decided that a dead end job was not cutting it, and went back to school, this time at a different school. I got an Associates degree in Business Administration and Finance. (Read here, that qualified me as either a bookkeeper or a "secretary.") I changed jobs a few time, finally landed in the laboratory of a local factory, where I sorta existed, but made good money for the position and the times. I got married, my wife and I raised two children etc. Life was good. Then after toiling at this job for about 27 years, never really liking it or disliking it, the company sold out, closed up our division and I was out in the cold, 56 years old, and no one wanting to hire me because, "hey, we'll get him all trained, then he'll retire."
Opportunity struck in an odd way. There was an opening at our local Middle School for a Special Education Aide. The job didn't pay very well, but had excellent benefits, insurance and it was local. I applied, even though they had already said that application time was closed. Luckily, I knew someone in the Special Ed. department, and she put in a good word for me. They called me to come in for an interview, found out that I had 2+ years of college towards an degree in education, held an associated degree and was eager, available, warm bodied, needed a job, etc, etc. I heard that after I left, they wanted to chase me down and offer me the job, but the principal said, "Lets at least wait until he gets home to call him."
The rest is history. I worked as a Special Ed. Aide at the Middle School, but because I was "ahead of the game" as far as education went, I was called the "second teacher in the classroom" was treated like another teacher with the same rights and respect, just not the same pay scale. That was okay with me, I had finally become a "teacher." I was realizing my passion. I loved every moment I spent in that school, and with the kids. I felt needed. I had at least one "Aha" moment with a student each year I was there. That was my reward. I substianted our income by teaching English and Comp at a small Jr. College about an hour away 3 or 4 nights a week. Plus I drove a bus for our local transit system when I could work it into their and my schedule.
I retired when I reached 65. I was tired, and then alone after my wife's passing. But I was content because I got to follow my passion after all. It took me a long while to get there, but I did it. How many of us go our whole lives and never get to realize our passion? I consider myself lucky that I got to spend the last 9 years of my working career doing what I had the passion for.
Don't wait 27 years to realize your passion. Do what you love, but more important, love what you do!
Until next time,
Go! Create something!
JF
And I know for a fact that you run into kids you taught and they remember you and have fond memories of you. I am so glad you got to live your passion. Not many people get to do that.
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