On doing what you love

[cjsmith]

Trusted Coworker aka Chief Architect left a printout of this on my desk.

I wish she could find her life dream, too. I don't know what it might be for her, but I'm pretty sure it doesn't involve spending between ten and fourteen hours a day in -- as she puts it -- a dirty carpeted box.

Comments

[jb98.livejournal.com]

I meet so many people lately who are in awe of what I'm creating in my life. They are totally convinced they cannot have a life they love, for a number of reasons. It makes me sad they won't even consider that it's possible.

This path is scary as all hell, but I wouldn't trade it for the world.

p.s.

[jb98.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad you're taking the leap!

[lizzie-omalley.livejournal.com]

Amen to all of the above.

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

It's particularly scary if you are neither perfectly healthy nor a millionaire. (Neither she nor I are either of these, of course.) I'm incredibly fortunate that I have this chance.

[dafydd.livejournal.com]

Triumph, in the face of adversity: http://www.kiwisbybeat.com/minus37.html

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

I love that one.

[airporter.livejournal.com]

Rather poignant that. It says a great deal about acceptance: we do something simply because that's what's done. You're an inspiration!

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

It's amazing the power wielded by the often-unexamined "that's what's done". It's interesting to think about how different my life would be if I merely grew up somewhere else: would I eat a raw egg over rice for breakfast, take a midafternoon nap, or cover my hair whenever I went outdoors? And those are just the obvious ones, the ones that are easy to see because we can compare one group of humans with another.

[airporter.livejournal.com]

And even when you do choose to examine that power wielded by the often-unexamined "that's what's done", it can come as one hell of a shock to you at the resistance from others who would prefer everything remain status quo. It's presented in both subtle and blunt manner, as the guidance of a good friend, parent, or fellow professional, but it's there nonetheless. And yes, much of it is cultural, be it family or society in general.

All of that makes what you're currently engaging in even more amazing.

And I'm just pleased with myself when I take a different walking route to work.

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

So far I've been very fortunate at the lack of resistance from others. I think the only "that's what's done" I've ever fought was the idea that all women should want babies, and really, most of the people in my life were cool with it being my (along with Rob's) choice. Mostly, the course of my life has run along paths that are fairly normal for my culture.

[layer.livejournal.com]

i love this cartoon. hmmm... maybe my happy life IS the farm, not graduate school... ;)

i brought a coworker a copy of the artist's way and a blank journal this morning. i hope it helps.

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

I'm sure your happy life is the farm. The question is whether you need or want graduate school first, and what benefits the school or the degree will give you, and why it's worth it. It probably is, but it's worth examining! :-)

[hitchhiker.livejournal.com]

:D

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Isn't that great? Man, *I* want to go hang out in her lighthouse on breaks, and I don't even know her.

somewhat aside from the real point...

[eichin.livejournal.com]

What with modern automation and safety equipment, you can actually rent a number of the east coast lighthouses, since they don't have (or need) permanent lighthousekeepers anymore...

Re: somewhat aside from the real point...

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

I bet they make awesome B&Bs.