Hey DonDare,
Thanks for the input and sharing your perspective.
It is not the wrong question
for me because I needed to investigate and explore my true passions. And then learn that I could see them to fruition.
I spent 20 years in a profession that was wrong for me in every sense. I spend thousands on my education and earned advanced degrees. I stayed because of the paycheck and so called "security" but in truth, I was punching a clock. If I had an extended illness or a family emergency, I was in deep doo-doo.
In the end I learned more from what I didn't learn in college. I learned that I truly wasn't valued, management always believed I was overpaid, I was replaceable in a nanosecond, and no matter now hard I worked, it was never good enough for the suits. Have you heard the term "learned helplessness"? Well that was me, much like a zoo animal, at the mercy of my employer.
So I did some serious soul-searching. I needed to learn that my dreams and passions are all within my reach, as long as I did the necessary work. I needed to learn that I am worthy of a great life! Guess what, we all are! Isn't that great?
What they teach in school is not always true. At least for me. I can love what I do (like now) and get paid for it. If I have the flu, I can still make money and not have to worry that I am using up my sick time. I never knew life could be like that.
The question is meant to help others think outside the box. I thank God that I finally did. I am now creating and living the life I was meant to live.
And I didn't just quit my day job. I worked like mad and earned my way out. I work hard every day, but now I love my boss (me!). Ain't nothing wrong with that.
Thanks again--you opened my think tank! All the best to you,
Lisa