words from an inspiration

picture taken by me in Napa Valley, California

I’m 26, had 4 different jobs since college and still I wonder, “what will I be when I grow up?”  I started out college “knowing” I wanted to do Public Relations with a side of Spanish.  Then I hated it.  Press releases, product comparisons – both made me want to vom.  I should’ve switch majors for sure but I stuck it out and graduated with a PR degree.  I got a job as a “translator,” that’s what my resume says at least.  I really did do a lot of translation but I also did a lot of other “stuff”… so I kept looking for “my dream job.”  Then I found it – a sales person.  Yes, something I could do.  Except I was selling Anheuser Busch products… something I knew little about.  I mean I love a cold Bud Light at a Wolfpack tailgate, don’t get me wrong, but I was not the best sales rep for beer.  But nonetheless, I was excited and eager to prove myself.  Six months later I finally accepted the fact that I was terrible at my job and was only hurting myself.  My hot boyfriend (and now husband) had heard me mention a few times that I should’ve majored in education so he convinced me to study like crazy and go back to school; eventually getting my Masters in Teaching.  So there it was; my dream job – a 2^nd grade Reading Teacher – but still I wanted more.  I wanted to teach English as a Second Language and use my long years of studying Spanish. 

So life switched gears and moved us to Wilmington and here I am; an English as a Second Language Teacher and I really do love it.  I love my job.  I love my kids.  But – you guessed it.  I’m on to the next.  I want to do more.  Prove more.  Be more.  That’s not to say I want a career change like in the past – no definitely not.  And that’s not to say that I want a change next year or even in five years.  But it’s in my blood to constantly look to the future.  I can’t help it.  Ever since I was a little girl I was told “I can do anything I want in life,” and that is what I’m doing.  So in 5 years maybe I will get my PhD and become a professor.  Or maybe I will start up that Literacy non-profit that has been brewing in my head.  Who knows, maybe I’ll finally start up my event planning business against all odds.  But the thing is that despite what my career holds, I do know one thing – the woman I want to become.  I look back and realize it didn’t’ matter what I was doing, it mattered who I was.  None of the other stuff makes a difference if I’m not a person of respect and integrity.  So instead of focusing on the next big career or what I hope to accomplish professionally, I choose to focus on a better me.  A me more like God.  A heart more like Jesus.  A friend I want to have.  An ear that listens without judging.  A laugh that is loud and sincere.  And a voice that speaks kindness and truth and not gossip.  The rest will take care of itself.  Because in the end, it’s not what I was that will be remembered – it’s who I was.  And that is the legacy I want to leave.

So Ms. Von Furstenberg – you go girl.  You are a woman of grace and dedication and everything else seemed to work out for the best.  Oh, and your timeless wrap dress?  Perfection.

photo credit: Annie Leibovitz found here
photo taken on the wedding day of Diane Von Furstenberg and Barry Diller in 2001