“Yesterday I was clever. So, I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise. So, I am changing myself.” Rumi

Changes survival guide:

Stay humble and kind

Learn something new everyday

Work hard

Drink plenty of liquids

Wear comfortable shoes

There are two definitions to the word crossroads, a place where roads intersect and a point at which a vital decision must be made that will have far reaching consequences. (New Oxford American Dictionary)

A few years ago, I found myself at a crossroads, the kind where I had to make a decision, not the kind where roads meet. However, I did picture myself standing at an intersection.

In my mind, I stood at this crossroads and thought, I could continue to go straight and nothing would change. It would be okay, I’m happy now I’ll be happy in ten years, maybe.  I could turn left and look for a quick fix or some form of instant gratification. But when I looked to the right I saw a lifestyle change. It didn’t look easy and I knew it would be a frightening and tumultuous experience. I knew if I went right my life would never be the same.  Was I willing to change everything?

I turned right.  I made the decision to change things and I did.

Today I find myself at another crossroads.

I have been teaching high school the last two years and I have been happy. When I took the job I needed it, not for the money but for so many other reasons. I needed to build my confidence, I had lost it somewhere along the way. I needed to meet people and make friends; I needed to learn from the kids. I have always believed that kids are great teachers because they are so raw, I mean real, I mean genuine. You know, out of the mouths of babes and all. They will tell it like it is.  Except when they are not exactly telling it like it is, but that’s okay that’s just what they do, they are not liars, they are just teenagers and they will grow up just fine. But after two years I am wondering do I take a chance and change things up or stay on this path?

I decided to make a hard-right turn. I applied to the Texas State University, School of Communication Studies, Master’s Program, and was accepted. At 50 years old, I am going back to college. It’s not so unusual; I went to college the first time when I was 34. I guess I’m used to being the oldest one in class.

Seek Wisdom

Learn Something New Everyday

Make Good Choices

On Friday, I left my job of only two years and it was hard, a lot harder than I thought it would be. There were so many exciting things going on in this district, it is growing and changing so fast, I couldn’t help but want to be a part of it. I had met some wonderful people and I knew we wouldn’t have time to really build relationships, and that made me sad. And since I had only been on this job for two years I really didn’t feel like I had the opportunity to prove myself or to really become the kind of teacher I wanted to be. But leaving was hard for other reasons as well; it goes back to the crossroads. You know you don’t get different results by doing the same thing. And I wanted different results, not because what I was doing was bad, I just have too many other things that I also want to do. I’ve always said that I would have plenty of time to do whatever I wanted after my kids grew up and left, well they have and now I feel like I don’t have that much time. I guess I never thought about the fact that as the kids got older so did I.

I don’t really like change much anymore. I’ve never had a problem with it up until now. Is that my age? I don’t see how it can be anything else because as I just mentioned I’ve never had a problem with it.

“The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new.” Socrates

I had always welcomed change. Changes that I decide on, not that are decided for me. With change comes newness, new opportunities, new growth, new information, new friendships, new everything. I am almost sick to my stomach to change again at this point, but I do want to do everything I have always wanted to do, so here I go.

Remember; Change is good, age is just a number, it’s never too late to try something new. #bucketlist.

Oh yeah and next time you find yourself at a crossroad, make a right turn!

Changing is beginning again!

“Age is not lost youth but a new stage of opportunity and strength.” Betty Friedan