This is the question that I am asking myself. I have been... transitioning. I have been transitioning to another life and now I find that I think I need to develop another dream because the dreams that I have had in the past have not served me well. Let me recount them:
When I was younger, I thought that I would be rockstar. There didn't seem to be any doubt in my mind that I would be an entertainer. I would take those personality quizzes only to find that I would be an excellent teacher. I ran from teaching with every fiber in my being. I entertained teaching for a brief time in high school when I thought I would revolutionize the world ala "Dangerous Mind." Alas, I nodded off the idea. It would come back to me later.
I thought I wanted to be a child psychologist when I was in elementary school. I thought it would be great to work with children in therapy. I don't know when this dream left me, but I get to diagnose children, in a way.
When I went to college, I flirted with the idea of being a teacher again, but I shook my head, and I ran away from teaching. I felt that God really had to hold me down and leave me with no other resort in order to be an educator. This year is my 18th year teaching. This is my second year working in the particular setting I am working with. If I'm honest with myself, I will tell you that I am tired. Teaching, this noble profession, wears on the soul. I find that I am tired of convincing younger students to invest in their own education for their own good. My motto is, "So that it will go well with you." Pay attention. Listen to the lesson. Do your work. Be respectful. Follow instructions. So. That. It. Will. Go. Well. For. You. They want what they want regardless of what I tell them. I don't know how to reach them this year. I'm praying. Teaching has become harder somehow.
And so, I'm marinating in what this harder season is leading me to. I find that I pray more. This is always a good thing. This summer I struggled finding the voice of the Shepherd. I am reading the Bible more. I need to find my center at all times. I need to remember what is important in this short life.
I feel like I'm coasting and as I'm coasting, I feel the need once again to write. After all, writing is what makes me happiest. Maybe that is what can be next. Maybe I will write the next great American novel. I'm not sure that I have that kind of story in me. A student of mine asked me how many stories I had inside of me. I didn't know what to answer him. He mentioned that I would do well to write them all down. Maybe I will... Maybe there is yet more work for me to do. Let's see what is next.
