Yesterday after I shared some ideas I
have for my future I was asked if I had ever heard the term “Jack
of all trades, master of none.” Yes. I have. It isn't the first
time someone has referred to me with that saying and I have even been
known to describe myself in that way. But what I have been thinking
on a lot lately is when did it become a bad thing to be good at a lot
of stuff? I have always been multi-talented: in sports, in math,
science, art, reading and writing, cooking, and crafting. In track I
competed in every category: sprints, middle distance, jumps, throws
(I have even tried pole vault and ran cross country). In art I do
pretty much everything: painting, drawing, sculpting, design,
printing, photography. By grade 4 I was reading at a high school
senior level. In high school I won awards not only as student of the
year in my Painting course, but in Computer Assisted Drafting and in
College Writing.
Do I feel as though I am bragging?
Absolutely not. It has become very difficult for me in college to
celebrate my talents. Actually, it has been stressful to feel
satisfied in a major. When I began my college search 3 years ago I
was looking at engineering programs, then I changed my mind to either
pursue physics or biology. Something inside me snapped though as the
pressure mounted and I decided to enter my freshman year at
Wittenberg University as an Art and English double major. After that
first year I realized I would not be able to afford continuing my
education there, and transferred to the University of Findlay where I
was offered a generous Track and Field scholarship. Within the first
semester I was talked out of my English degree because I would not
graduate in 4 years if I pursued it.
Now I am planning a project that will
hopefully earn me a 5th year internship with the
University of Findlay. My dream jobs are to work for the NationalPark Service in an Ecology position and to have my own furniture
store in which I would sell updated furniture and as well as work as
an interior decorator. I also wouldn't mind being a stay-at-home- …
something … and painting to my heart's content. I want to use my
5th year internship to take courses in Biology and jump
start my second degree. I am thinking about applying to TheUniversity of Texas, and to Ohio State for either a Masters of Fine
Art and/or an Ecology degree. I have a lot of plans and options!!!
Once again, when did that become a bad thing? I am only 20 (21 as of
this Friday) … is it not better to have so many roads laying before
me than to have no apparent choice at all?
I think so. And last night I began
reading Ecclesiastes as if on cue. After I got past the shock of
reading what had been on my mind, I found myself already to chapter 3
begging for the rhyme and reason of life to be spelled out. Verse22: So I saw that there is nothing better for a man than to enjoy
his work, because that is his lot. For who can bring him to see what
will happen after him? Ecclesiastes says that not money, not
children, not land, not wisdom, nothing you acquire will ever make
your life worth it, so be happy because there is nothing left to do
but enjoy your time. There is no command to change your life, find a
new job, marry, divorce, move somewhere... the Bible simply states to
be happy.
I have a ton of different interests. They all make me
happy.
“Ask
yourself whether the dream of heaven and greatness should be waiting
for us in our graves - or whether it should be ours here and now and
on this earth.” - Ayn Rand
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