Ever since I started college back in the fall of 2012 I have been trying to figure out what most people already have figured out, what they want to do for the rest of their life. This for me was always such a difficult thing, I had no clue what I wanted to be. So, I thought long and hard while I took basic college classes to get me by until I could figure out my career path. I tried criminal justice and I absolutely did not like it, so I went back just to taking basic classes to pass the time. I was never truly happy in the college atmosphere, I just didn't get why most people loved college. I figured out that I did not want to be stuck behind a desk everyday, that I wanted a job where I knew my time was making a difference in someone's life. So over this past December I thought about going to school to become a Veterinary Technician, as much as this fit my broad idea of "making a difference," I wasn't as excited as I should have been. I knew in my heart I could not handle another two and a half stressful years of college. So, after many tears and prayers I suddenly knew what I was going to do with my life. I researched a bunch of different schools and information about becoming a dog trainer. Now to some people this may not sound too much like a "dream job," but to me I knew I wanted to work with dogs and this was so appealing. If you would have told me when I first started college that I would end up here I would have never believed you, but dreams change just like anything else. After figuring this out for myself I knew the next hard part I was going to face, telling my parents. I was so scared to tell them because I knew they wanted more for me, and I did not want to disappoint them. I cried many nights thinking about what they would say and how they would react, I was so scared of them. College was starting back and I knew I had no more time left to keep this from them because they would be wondering why I was not attending any college classes. So, one day I called my mom up and told her my decision and she was very upset at me and my choices. That same day I met with my dad and told him in person, he was calm and listened to what I had to say, but my dad was upset as well because "he wanted "more" for me than I wanted for myself," those were his words. For the first time in my life I did not feel sorry, I knew they were mad but I didn't care because deep down I knew this is what I am meant to do; I knew college was never right for me. Even though my parents were upset they have accepted what I want to do and they are supporting me. I have not started school yet but I am so excited and ready for it, I should be enrolling within these next couple of weeks. The school I'm attending has a ten month program that teaches you everything there is to know on dog training. My advice to anyone who is struggling with similar issues is to let go of all your doubts and believe in yourself and your dreams. One of the biggest fears my parents had was "how do we know this is going to work and you are going to succeed," and my reply to that is, "I don't know, but I believe in myself and I'm ready to give it a chance." I have high hopes for myself and this journey I'm on, it is not always going to be beautiful but it's my life and I can choose to make it beautiful. I am so ready to jump in and make my dreams my reality.
I'm going to end this post with a quote that has really helped me through all of this and that gives me hope on the days I feel down.
"If you want to be successful, it's just this simple: know what you are doing, love what you are doing, and believe in what you are doing." - Will Rogers
I believe in you even if you don't believe in yourself,
Caroline
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