The air was cold and rain was pit – pattering on the roof. The bed felt cosier, the pillows softer. It was 1 am, the perfect bed weather. Snuggle under the sheets and dream away.
But there I was on my corner table, a night light for company. Tempting as it was to answer the bed’s call to “come sleep with me,” I had to stay up, keep my eyes wide open and get my brain running. I needed to finish my lesson plan for my production class, just six hours away.
How do you know when you love what you’re doing? When you’re crazy enough to give up your bed and sacrifice sleep to work instead.Then again, sometimes, you do it “because you have to.” Other times, it’s “because you want to.”
And I wanted to do it.
Nine years ago, I wouldn’t have known that I would become a teacher. I wanted to be a TV reporter. Everybody thought I would be a good one. I thought it was a brilliant idea. Wouldn’t you want to be famous and be in front of the camera?
After graduation, I landed a job in a TV network as a researcher. I thought I was on the right track. I would study what it’s like behind the scenes and then go for it.
Five years passed and I was still working behind the scenes. I didn’t think I was smart enough to be in front of the camera, much less beautiful enough.I just didn’t have the guts to put myself out there.
Finally, I reached a turning point and signed up for auditions. I thought I wouldn’t know unless I tried. I had to try, if only to avoid asking myself “what if?” when I’m old and gray, gazing out the window sitting on my rocking chair.
When I found myself dumbfounded as the camera started to roll, it all became clear. I didn’t want this. I don’t like the news, why would I want to be a reporter?
I returned to the office and searched my soul for answers. What did I truly want to do?
I tried different things, I climbed the production ladder.
In the end, I realized, my soul’s highest purpose is to inspire people. I am in my element when I empower them and help them to believe in themselves.
Flasback 16 years ago, I was standing in front of the classroom teaching grade school kids just a few years younger than I was. It was Teacher’s Day. It was our turn to take the reins so our teachers could take the day off.
I was on a high. I remember seeing the children’s eager faces, hungry for learning. Who knew teaching could be so much fun? The memory rushed back to me, like a stop-gap was pulled from a bottle of water.
I wanted to be a teacher.
Flashback around two years ago, I was sitting in a coffee shop with my friends writing down our goals for the year ahead. It was the last week of December. We’ve come so far and we want to make our lives more awesome.
I was on a high. I was so happy to see my friends’ faces light up, excited about the possibilities of making those goals a reality. I knew this is the kind of work I want to do.
I want to be an inspirer.
“Now you get it,” I could almost hear the Universe say.
It hasn’t been an easy journey and there was a price to pay.
The only thing that keeps me going? Love.
I couldn’t do this without the love of a man who has made it his purpose to make sure that I live mine.
And for that I feel grateful. And blessed. And happy beyond measure.
I couldn’t do this without the love of my girls who inspire me to reach my dreams so that one day, I can teach them that they can reach theirs.
I couldn’t do this without the love of my family who believe in me. Always.
It would have been easy to remain in my comfort zone, stay stuck in the 9 to 5 and just keep running the rat race.
But I love my life. And I cannot imagine living it without the passion it so deserves.
I guess I’m crazy that way.
And I’d take that any day, over soft pillows and the perfect bed weather.
How about you?
