Friday, June 28, 2013

Goals Have No Expiration Dates

When I was in high school people would ask me what I wanted to be when I grew up. That's a daunting question for a person of any age, but especially a teenager. You're expected to graduate from high school, pursue a career, hopefully go to college so you'll have a 'better' career, and basically have your life planned out. But guess what? Life sometimes throws you curve balls. Sometimes getting to college is one thing but being able to finish college is something entirely different. Back in the day (OK, now I'm going to show my age) we didn't all have school counselors that explained our multitude of options, we didn't have access to the Internet to search for available scholarships, and many of us didn't have parents that paid for our educations. Back in the day (at least in my day) you worked full time and paid for your classes one semester at a time.
 
There are many times I regret never having finished my degree. I was working and paying for my education. I knew I wouldn't be able to finish so I made the best use of the resources I had. I was being realistic. I took as many courses related to my major as I could and skipped all the required  ones that wouldn't help me. The upside was that I took quite a few journalism, writing, and literature classes. The downside was that I never completed my degree.
 
I sit here today, having turned 50 this year, and am proud of where I am. I'm proud of the skills that I have and I'm proud of the choices I've made. I look at my son who is an accomplished chemistry teacher and admire his 3 degrees and the hard work and dedication it took for him to achieve them. I look at my daughter who is about to embark on her college journey and simply glow with pride as I watch her practice and embrace her God-given musical talents.
 
As I draw closer to becoming an empty-nester for the first time in my life I have to ask myself, 'Is it too late for my dreams and my goals?' ABSOLUTELY NOT! Goals don't have expiration dates. My life will soon change again, as it always does. I will continue to support my children's goals and dreams, but I am also choosing to embrace mine. This blog is more than just a hobby to me ... it's been a lifeline. It's a reminder to me that I have hopes and dreams. It's a reminder that I have skills that may be rusty, but I'm willing to put in the time and sweat to refine them. Whether one person reads my blog or 100 it doesn't matter. Well, it does on one hand, but not on the other. I'm sure you know what I mean. Sure we all want to be successful and we want to be encouraged and supported, but ultimately I need to be happy with my work. That in itself is a journey and a continuing process. I'm taking classes and workshops and talking to people in the business and challenging myself, BUT I'm not giving up and in the end that's what matters. Blogs are a wonderful outlet and trust me when I say - my life has never been boring which ideally gives me a lot of material to write about.
 
How about you? Do you have a goal you never completed? What's stopping you?

9 comments:

  1. Hi Jenny - testing the comments out...

    ReplyDelete
  2. Looks like it's working fine. Thanks for the test. Feel free to comment any time!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Not sure what my goal is now that the last of my 4 children just got married and I'm an empty nester now. However, I do know that my goal of getting my degree was over 10 years. Two years on a scholarship where I wasn't sure what I wanted to do and took ALL of the general requirements. Six years of not attending (lack of money) and having 3 children. Then a serious auto accident that caused me reflect and pursue finishing my degree. The last two years were ALL degree specific courses and financed by school loans. My next goal - I don't know yet - just trying to relax and catch my breath for a bit. You are right - it's never too late to pursue an unfinished goal or to start a new one.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I admire the fact that you finished your degree. You're definitely an inspiration. Now it's time for you to pick a new goal and pursue it just for yourself!

      Delete
  4. Congratulations. I, too, am a victim of "back in the day". Sadly, I never completed my college goals either. So, that being said, I am signing up for a class again, but this time it's for things I am interested in. Perhaps God will provide me with some new talents that I can pass on to others and have some fun doing it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. What kind of class did you sign up for?

      Delete
    2. I think that's great that you're taking a class.

      Delete
  5. I am planning to take an American Sign Language class. Dylan has her minor in sign language and her major is in Special Education EI (emotionally impaired) birth-26yrs and a second major in school health (secondary education). At least when she's completed at CMU. She currently works with a special needs boy who is non verbal, but hearing (we have known Ryan since his birth 14 years ago). She has to sign with him as that's how he communicates with her. I would like to learn so that I can also help with Ryan. We'll see if my fingers cooperate.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's great Donna. Always better to go after a goal that you feel passionate about. Just makes sense. Let me know how it goes.

      Delete