Pre-Show Jitters
Four years of college theatre taught me many things, one of which is that pre-show jitters never truly go away. No matter how many different productions, how many times you perform the same thing, or how many different characters I played, there was always that butterfly feeling in the pit of my stomach. Now, the butterflies are doing a whole big star-studded musical number, but it is a whole different stage this time.
I quit a job where I was comfortable and loved the people in the office, but that offered little to no guarantee of a future, and that offered no actual extra incentives such as benefits. I am now entering a new field which I have little hands-on experience in but that offers benefits, security, and again great coworkers and place to work. Oh, and did I mention I'm working on an online Masters degree? So, to say the least, I am nervous. I have never been the kind of girl to take big life decisions lightly, and sometimes even the not-so-big. I tend to overthink. I am having to constantly remind myself that life isn't about looking too far into the future, worrying what could possibly happen. I am trying to take things a little at a time...one day, one week, one task...whatever it takes, instead of looking at the big picture and getting bogged down with stress.
Like my mother reminds me through this whole process, God has a plan. And, as she reminded me just tonight, there is evidence of it from the beginning of this whole adventure. I was not happy with the repetitiveness and uncertainty of my job, but I couldn't just leave. Great coworkers and being able to afford stuff was holding me back. Then, a friend of mine mentioned the opening that is now my current job. I jokingly mentioned being qualified and before I knew it, I was going through the steps to apply for the job. From there, everything seemed to fall into place, which is what I prayed for. You see, I am not so good with subtle hints, so I prayed for everything to fall into place so I knew this was where I was supposed to be. Even before that, however, I can see evidence of a plan in motion. A year ago, I moved closer to home so I could be closer to my family and our farm. Now, it has also put me closer to this job. The college I graduated from just started a new Masters program completely online which, not coincidentally, I now need for my new job and, as an added bonus, hello alumni discount. Long before I realized, it seems like I was being led to this particular step in my life.
As far as my new work home goes...I have never been anywhere that so many people were so happy for me to work somewhere. Honestly, it seems like the whole town is rooting for me, not to mention that I have received so much great advice and help from friends, family, and other teachers. I have felt such an outpouring of support since I took this job from my now coworkers and people around me in general. I just hope I don't disappoint them.
So, here I stand at the corner of stress and excitement.
I am learning there are all different types of adventures. I have a friend that moved halfway across the country mostly on a whim. She is now making a happy life for herself and will soon be marrying her love that she met over there. I live on a corner of my parent's farm, spend a lot of my time with the same people, am about to start teaching at the high school I graduated from, and found my love about 20 minutes down the road a few small towns over. I am also making a life a very full and happy life for myself. I would call both of these adventures, and I truly believe it. Some might see my situation as less glamorous, and that's fine by me, because I don't care about being glamorous and my happiness is all that matters to me. No matter the place, situation, or circumstance, life is a beautiful adventure.
I quit a job where I was comfortable and loved the people in the office, but that offered little to no guarantee of a future, and that offered no actual extra incentives such as benefits. I am now entering a new field which I have little hands-on experience in but that offers benefits, security, and again great coworkers and place to work. Oh, and did I mention I'm working on an online Masters degree? So, to say the least, I am nervous. I have never been the kind of girl to take big life decisions lightly, and sometimes even the not-so-big. I tend to overthink. I am having to constantly remind myself that life isn't about looking too far into the future, worrying what could possibly happen. I am trying to take things a little at a time...one day, one week, one task...whatever it takes, instead of looking at the big picture and getting bogged down with stress.
Like my mother reminds me through this whole process, God has a plan. And, as she reminded me just tonight, there is evidence of it from the beginning of this whole adventure. I was not happy with the repetitiveness and uncertainty of my job, but I couldn't just leave. Great coworkers and being able to afford stuff was holding me back. Then, a friend of mine mentioned the opening that is now my current job. I jokingly mentioned being qualified and before I knew it, I was going through the steps to apply for the job. From there, everything seemed to fall into place, which is what I prayed for. You see, I am not so good with subtle hints, so I prayed for everything to fall into place so I knew this was where I was supposed to be. Even before that, however, I can see evidence of a plan in motion. A year ago, I moved closer to home so I could be closer to my family and our farm. Now, it has also put me closer to this job. The college I graduated from just started a new Masters program completely online which, not coincidentally, I now need for my new job and, as an added bonus, hello alumni discount. Long before I realized, it seems like I was being led to this particular step in my life.
As far as my new work home goes...I have never been anywhere that so many people were so happy for me to work somewhere. Honestly, it seems like the whole town is rooting for me, not to mention that I have received so much great advice and help from friends, family, and other teachers. I have felt such an outpouring of support since I took this job from my now coworkers and people around me in general. I just hope I don't disappoint them.
So, here I stand at the corner of stress and excitement.
I am learning there are all different types of adventures. I have a friend that moved halfway across the country mostly on a whim. She is now making a happy life for herself and will soon be marrying her love that she met over there. I live on a corner of my parent's farm, spend a lot of my time with the same people, am about to start teaching at the high school I graduated from, and found my love about 20 minutes down the road a few small towns over. I am also making a life a very full and happy life for myself. I would call both of these adventures, and I truly believe it. Some might see my situation as less glamorous, and that's fine by me, because I don't care about being glamorous and my happiness is all that matters to me. No matter the place, situation, or circumstance, life is a beautiful adventure.