How many of us struggle with patience? Why does the fast-pace of life seem to sometimes haunt us? Why does the rat-race seem to hover over us saying, “nana nana na-na” at the worst possible times? Why do we get frustrated when things don’t go our way and we wished things would? Answer: Because there is something bigger ahead that we cannot see. I think we are all proof of this to some extent. And many of my fellow family and friends have life stories as well to support this. From the bumper to bumper traffic on the freeway when you’re already late to work, to rushing to the checkout line at the grocery store with the lady in front of you in line with 100 items in her basket and your 1 item with no other checkers at the register when your late for a wedding, to not getting that job you thought would be perfect for you, to not getting accepted to the University you thought you would be. It’s times like this we sit back and say, “Why me?” Reality is, things do happen for a reason, whether we think so or not. And this life we live isn’t always about “me” as society has so eloquently portrayed.Yes, I have been feeling more and more lately that the “why me” mentality is getting to me. I spent 5 years at Victor Valley College taking pre-med classes because I have dreamed of becoming an Optometrist for the past 15 years. I applied to medical school for 3 straight years and when I received a call from Ohio State University for an interview for the doctorate program, I was thrilled. After flying to Ohio, spending 3 days there and completing the tense 6 hour interview process, I found out in a declination letter the school accepted 67 students that year and the guy sitting right next to me in the interview hall at OSU was the last one accepted.
Since then, my priorities have shifted. I have traveled to a number of places in this world including Hawaii and Costa Rica where we trekked through the rainforests in Monte Verde. I finished school, graduated with a bachelors degree, have become closer to my family, volunteered at my church home, met a group of friends I would not trade for the world, not to mention living in my own place. That’s where my happiness is. But it’s not over for me. I did leave one of my favorite jobs in pursuit of a dream of mine. To become a doctor…and I am on my way, just not the same direction I was going. Now that I am in my master’s program at Cal. State Fullerton, I am that much closer.
Since then, my priorities have shifted. I have traveled to a number of places in this world including Hawaii and Costa Rica where we trekked through the rainforests in Monte Verde. I finished school, graduated with a bachelors degree, have become closer to my family, volunteered at my church home, met a group of friends I would not trade for the world, not to mention living in my own place. That’s where my happiness is. But it’s not over for me. I did leave one of my favorite jobs in pursuit of a dream of mine. To become a doctor…and I am on my way, just not the same direction I was going. Now that I am in my master’s program at Cal. State Fullerton, I am that much closer.
Many nights I have struggled with the decision I made. Did I do the right thing? I had a great job, a great place to live, great friends close by, and a great church home. Is this really worth it for the next few years of school, driving 100 miles a day on average, living ½ the week at my father’s home in Orange County & the other ½ of the week at my mother‘s house in the High Desert with little or no money to get through? Of course it is. It is easy? Geese, yeah right. I may not understand why things are so twisted now, but 5 years from now, I will know… And I am thankful for the opportunity. Thankfulness goes a VERY long way. And I am coping with the “why me” syndrome.
We have the freedom to do whatever we want in life. We have the freedom and opportunity to become whoever we want, whenever we want. Patience is the key. Just ask Nola Ochs, one of America’s oldest college graduates at Fort Hayes State University in Kansas, who at 95 years old, received her college degree in History in May of 2007 because she said, “I still wanted to graduate… “That desire was still there.” Read the full story if you wish at https://www.americanprofile.com/article/23364.html
My professor of my Phonetics class told us a few weeks ago that her husband had worked for a hospital administration company for the past 15+ years and left last year to pursue a master’s degree to become a Physician’s Assistant. So now he is at home with their 3 kids while he completes his classes for entrance into the program. No one said life is easy. It can be done. You all know the saying, “where there’s a will, there is a way.”
So how do I do it? What gets me through? Patience…I may not know why things happen the way they do now, but I eventually will. My family, my friends and my church are my rock. They will be there when I am done. And they have been supporting me thus far on my journey and will continue to until I am finished. That’s what drives me. If you want something bad enough, you can get it. But we have to be willing to put in the time and effort to do it. Thank you to all of you supporting me. It really does make a difference.
So, I have decided the next time I get frustrated with this “rat-race, fast-paced, ‘why me,’ feeling” hanging over my head, I will grab it, throw it in a bucket, squirt water on it, drive it to the highest point in Southern California (Mt. Whitney incase you didn’t know) and throw it off the cliff of the mountain! Poof! Be gone! Take that you mischievous spirit!
Until Next Time…
Scottie
