The Future: I Have No Answers

"Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier." - Mother Teresa

This is me. Or I try for it to be. I try to translate this into my work, personal life, friendships and even with the love I give my dogs.

Working with students involves an endless stream of career-related conversations. Helping them process through the swamp of decision-making and guiding them through yellow-brick roads heading toward more resources. Nothing beats seeing bright shiny teeth enter my office in excitement for an acceptance to graduate school or an offer to work for an organization they love. When you get the chance to help these wonderful people connect with what they love you can't help but feel incredible joy and empowerment.

And then the brain gets ticking...

What about me? What about my life? Am I doing all I can be doing? What about the array of interests currently collecting dust? Am I meeting my potential? Is this it? What am I doing...like, for real?

My new realization I often share with students is this: No one really knows what they want to do. We are all undecided majors. Those with careers are doing one thing they enjoy (or just paying the bills), however there are likely 10 other things they would want to pursue.

So how do I continue my commitment to the above quote while still connecting with as many interests I find myself drawn toward? No idea. 

Official list of things I want to do or be apart of (more things likely to be added):
-new student orientation
-run a GLBT Resource Center at a university
-Broadway musical star (Elphaba--let me be you)
-marketing for a university
-FBI: Behavioral Analysis Unit (Criminal Minds tells me this is real)
-run a bed & breakfast
-marketing for a large company (Google...please tell me you are you reading this)
-student organization advising
-cupcakery
-food truck
-retire before I'm 30 and travel (maybe there are sponsors for this)
-social justice consulting
-get an MBA
-run a Women's Resource Center at a university
-leadership development
-be paid to give the Inclusive Language Workshop all day every day
-catering
-graphic design
-Semester at Sea
-event coordinator

Now that it is all written down opposed to boiling my brain I feel....overwhelmed, lost and maybe even more terrified.

I love working with students. It is inspirational, fun and I feel lucky to be able to have built such amazing relationships with so many of them. I'm good at it. It is fulfilling and I couldn't imagine moving away from it. But to deny myself the joys of experiencing something else on the list above seems unfair.

I've watched too many TedTalks and motivational speakers who have shared the importance of living with no regrets. The RENT Original Broadway musical has been blasted too many times in my car to ignore their cries "No other road, no other way, no day but today".

I seek no answer from posting this. But writing it down feels nice. My chat with Yolanda tonight, per the usual, has motivated me to never stop challenging myself and to never lose sight of my mission to contribute to a more equitable world.

So that's that for now.