I am on campus early this morning, as the campus club I am a part of was hosting a panel discussion for "Careers in Aging" week. One of the things I took away from the panelists was the fact that life sort of has a way of unfolding in its own way. Each of the panelists came to the field of gerontology through very different yet similar paths. Each panelist discussed her idea of blending all of the interests of her life into one general employment opportunity. But each panelist also believes in the fluidity of life that is currently present within the world of employment.
This is something that I have thought of frequently and have written about before in terms of the broad questions about what one is "planning" to do with one's life. In fact, I was asked the question this morning of "what I plan to do after graduation." It always seems to surprise people when I saw that I'm not entirely sure and that I believe the right door will open. With such broad interests and experiences, I feel that through multiple open doors I will be able to eventually rise to the challenge.
....Which I feel is sort of ironic because it's very infrequently that I feel as motivated as I did as an undergrad. Upon graduation from my undergrad I felt I could do anything to change the world. I won't get into the two things that made that change, but in many ways I feel much happier to not feel quite as pressured. Although all the while, I wonder which is the better way to operate in the world. I'm beginning to believe though that there are periods of ebb and flow in one's life. Sometimes we need time to rejuvenate and to observe from more of a distance so that when the right opportunity arises we have the strength and vitality to rise to the occasion. I do not doubt my abilities-just sometimes I feel that I do not desire in this moment to use them to their full potential. However I often wonder...is that right or wrong?
When I so strongly believe that we all should be doing as much as we can for the benefit of each other and the world, is it right for me to continue to take a mini-reprieve? Sometimes I find it ironic that I consider grad school in many ways to be just that--a reprieve from the realities of the world. Although when called, I feel I will be capable of stepping up. And it never fails to amuse me that each time I attempt to get more deeply into the rat race of participation--something blocks that same participation. So I suppose for me it's trust.....
Just as in this exact moment, I am feeling an immense sense of just that..trust. That I am where I am supposed to be...doing what I am supposed to be doing. And that I just need to continue to search, seek guidance, and trust as the doors become open....even amongst the periods of doubt.
May you all be blessed with a remarkable day!
2 comments:
p.s. one of the coolest things is that one of the panelists works in an assisted living setting based on a garden model. the community members had dried seeds from their organic garden from last year and had packaged them for her to give out at speaking events. a great idea and now i have free seeds for parsnips (yum!) and lettuce!
I really like your balanced and open approach. Sometimes effort is best spent in remaining open to arising possibilities, rather than trying to compel things one way or the other.
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