Last Sunday I talked about courage, and I had a couple of really great responses (thank you SO MUCH for responding!) Littlewonder2 said, “(I) didn’t even let people read my writing in the past, or tell them about it, so I’ve already improved”. Yes Littlewonder2 – you have DEFINITELY improved!!! J One of my FB friends sent me a private message, and strongly encouraged me to follow my dreams. She told me of the things that she had learned from me, and the things that she had witnessed my teaching to my sixth graders that went far beyond the “traditional three Rs”. I REALLY appreciated what she said, because sometimes (at least for me) it’s hard to give myself permission to go for what I want. Do you ever have that problem?
I grew up poor – there were times when my mother had to take commodity food just to have something for us to eat, and as a teacher I don’t make a lot of money now. Every time I read about a teacher who makes $50,000 – $75,000 a year, I always think ‘What state do THEY work in?!?!?!’ (Obviously NOT where I live!) The thought of not having that paycheck coming in every two weeks is frightening, but there are times when I think my current job is killing my soul. Which is NOT a position I want to be in!
There’s a book I read this past week, it’s called “The Dip. A Little Book That Teaches You When To Quit (And When To Stick)”, by the Seth Goodin. Now it’s a little book (80 pages), and since it came out in 2007 I bought it off of Ebay. Yes, I was looking for the cheapest price! LOL In a nutshell, this is a book that says there are three types of “curves” that we go through in everything during our lives. They are: the “dip”, the “cliff”, and the “cul-de-sac”. Both the cliff and the cul-de-sac are dead-ends, and we need to quit them when we are able to recognize them. The “Dip” is that lull – you know, the time after beginning to learn something new (so much fun!), but before you’ve actually mastered that thing. According to Seth Goodin, the dip is when we need to continue on, to NOT quit, but to push on through.
After pondering the messages of the writer, and looking at my own life, I decided to go ahead and spend the money (which was SO HARD to do) to take a copywriting class. I’ll be learning a new skill that involves writing – which I love – and might help me to come to the point where I have enough income to quit my “cul-de-sac” and, as Robert Frost says, “…take the road less traveled…”
What about you? Are you looking to make any changes in your own life, to begin the process of following your dreams (whatever they may be)? I would love to hear about them! Have a wonderful Sunday.
Along the way with Julia 