Just because something is "right" doesn't mean it will be easy.
It doesn't seem fair, but there it is.
After much soul searching, I finally chose my next great adventure. Then I opened the road map for the journey and discovered the way is fraught with hurdles. detours, and bad weather. I guess I expected heaven to pave a path of gold, lined with lilacs and lilies, that led straight to my destination.
Turns out the road to getting a graduate degree in economics isn't going to be a walk in the park. I figured that once I had made this decision I would be good to go. Nope. I am now faced with numerous decisions that include where to go for the degree and whether to skip my Master's and go directly to a PhD. I'm learning that the GRE is going to be a challenge no matter how hard I study. It's designed to be so. The most daunting task ahead is telling my boss that I'm leaving. SUU doesn't offer what I want, so I'm definitely moving on. He doesn't know yet. He keeps making comments like "Someday this will all be yours" that make me want to cry.
Many weeks ago I read a speech Steve Jobs (CEO of Apple) gave to the 2005 Stanford graduates. It was titled "You've Got to Find What You Love". He told three stories of how things initially appeared to be going the wrong way but they ended up being for the best. They brought about situations that were very beneficial but that wouldn't have ever happened without the "wrong things". For example, he was fired from Apple, the company he co-founded. It was embarrassing for him. Eventually he decided he really loved what he did, so he founded Pixar. During this time he also met his wife. Pixar was bought by Apple and Steve once again became CEO of Apple. Getting fired (a hard time) led to many opportunities.
I love economics. Though I'm not sure what I plan to do with it, I know I want to further my education in economics. The next step is clear and I'm going to take it, despite the difficulties. I ask myself, what opportunties are lying behind all those hurdles and along those detours? What will grow because of the "bad" weather? I have to trust that the path I see in front of me will get me where I need to go.
7 comments:
Sometimes I tell myself that if it's easy it won't be as rewarding in the end. I loved the story about the Apple CEO. I know that you can overcome whatever hurdles are placed before you. Good luck on making all the decisions you have ahead of you.
I love that you are so sure of what you want to do with your life. That is such a gift.
There is a story in the September Ensign kind of like that, about a guy deciding to go on a mission rather than work and get married. It seemed like the wrong decision at the time, but in the end, it all worked out of course.
I wish you luck and perserverance in your quest!
And I love the picture you chose to illustrate your thoughts.
It's really a kick in the head, isn't it? The inner struggle that goes on with trying to make a decision can sometimes be such a major ordeal that when it's finally made you feel like that should be it and not just the beginning of a new set of problems. I guess that's what they call GROWTH!
You'll be up to the task, I know. Look at all the things you've done already in your life. If you can do that, what else can you do? The sky's the limit.
To me, it seems like anything that is actually worth doing is hard. Or scary. Or both. I agree with Tearese that the picture was great! Thanks for the story. I needed it.
You know, it seems like, as I was growing up, I was always told that once I made the right decision everything would fall into place, and I would be able to meet the goals I had set for myself.
I've learned that isn't always true. Sometimes, yes, but others, it seems like the right decision is even harder to achieve than the wrong one.
Which, I guess, is just repeating what you said. But I know you can do it. Because you're Julie!
Julie I love your blog.
You really do have a wonderful writing style. And no I'm not just saying that because this blog mentions Apple, and our good frined Steve Jobs. Ü
It's true right and easy aren't always synonyms.
Anyway thanks for writing
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