What It’s All About
After a while, it hits you: what it’s all about.
You could spend years in school in order to earn (or receive, in some cases) a piece of paper that may or may not suffice while you strive toward a position in society as a decent, upstanding citizen.
In order to survive, you get a job that you might possibly begin to dread going to and at the end of the day, you’ll come home to your family, if you’re lucky. If not, you come home to an empty thought of what could have been…what should have been and in the end you wonder if it was all worth it.
Right now, I’m at a pivotal point in my life. Yet, I have no idea of what’s ahead of me. I guess that’s part of the adventure. I just hope I’m headed in the right direction…
I’ll soon be graduating from college (finally!) and I’m excited about closing this chapter of my life and moving on to the next, and the uncertainty of it all no longer looms in the back of my mind.
It’s funny that you can do all the planning you want, and life takes you in completely different directions: ever since I can remember I’ve wanted to become a lawyer. I remember writing a five page essay on “When I Grow Up” and, of course, my topic of choice was the fact that I would become a lawyer.
Back then, I thought I had it all planned: I would graduate from high school, undergrad at Georgetown (B.S. in international studies), JD/MBA from Harvard. After completing my schooling, I would practice law and somehow manage to launch my media company, along with all of its subsidiaries. I would eventually leave the legal field to concentrate more on my business interests and philanthropic efforts.
So much has changed since then.
I didn’t go to Georgetown. I didn’t major in international studies. And as time has transpired, I’ve become less and less interested in becoming a lawyer.
For a while a couple of years ago, though, I had lingering aspirations of attending law school, but no intention of practicing law. Ironic, huh? I’ve always thought so. I guess I always felt that because it was a childhood dream and everyone around me not only knew about it, but expected it, I had to make it happen; if not, it would be as if I failed and a failure I am not.
It finally became apparent to me that I was more interested in appealing to those around me as opposed to myself, and I have since made a vow never to do that again. Thanks to my bouts with pancreatitis, I began to realize that my plans do not and will not supersede the original plans.
After taking an Interim course titled “Excursions in Elementary Education”, it hit me. That course ignited my passion for teaching.
When I tell people I want to be a teacher, they automatically inquire whether I know how much teachers make. Yes, I know how much teachers make, but more importantly, I know what teachers make. Check out the video and Taylor Mali will tell you exactly what teachers make.
I’ve mentioned the writing effect and although I could both teach and write, I feel I’d do a disservice to both and am currently concentrating on writing. Regardless of what I do, I have to do good and do well (DGADW) because that’s what it’s all about.
» J. DAKAR ON: THE GOOD LIFE // 'CONCRETELOOP.COM' YOU BETTER ACT LIKE YOU KNOW! said:
[...] particularly the people who are deemed lower than them in society. I’ve figured out what it’s all about. For me, the only thing that’s going to matter is that I lived my life to the fullest and did [...]
» J. DAKAR ON: THE GOOD LIFE // 'CONCRETELOOP.COM' YOU BETTER ACT LIKE YOU KNOW! said:
[...] particularly the people who are deemed lower than them in society. I’ve figured out what it’s all about. For me, the only thing that’s going to matter is that I lived my life to the fullest and did [...]
Alisa said:
Its interesting how your path of enlightnement (as i like to say) mirrors that of many of my college friends. I will be graduating this semester as well. I noticed that as my class mates and I began taking more upper level courses (especially in the humanities) we begans to take on a different perspective towards life and what we want for ourselves and our futures. Many of us came to Maryland with hopes of getting a degree and going on to make an impressive salary so that we can afford all of the things we saw that celebrities had and the things we thought would make us worth more. However as we began to see in depth the injustices of not only American society (which is devastating) but of the world, our viewpoints changed to one of compassion. Freshman year, I had hopes of becoming a public relations specialist and owning my own business. Now, I am a family studies major and will be going in to social work and family therapy. (Non Masters social workers make less than teachers). While I view college as a distraction from the realities of the world and a waste of time and money (you can get a college education at your local library) i do know that education is the key to freedom and knowledge really is power. College opened my eyes to alot of things and I now see that in our society nothing is really what it seems to be. The true measure of a good life is how you treat others and yourself. No one in a profession based on manipulation as profit will live an honest and good life.
Alisa » I understand completely your statement of college being “a distraction from the realities of the world and a waste of time and money”. There was a time that I felt I could do more at that point in time if I were out in the “real world” instead of sitting in a classroom, but Jay-Z’s words, “I can’t help the poor if I’m one of them,” resonated with me and I stuck it out, knowing that it would bring me one step closer to where I needed to be.
Eileen said:
First off, your post on concreteloop was amazing. I really needed to hear that, especially as a college student trying to leave her mark and find success (where ever it is). “What It’s All About” spoke to me and basically told me that everything is going to be alright. I applaud you on your genuine interest in teaching. The nation needs more people like you. Thank you for keeping it real and showing me another side of the spectrum. I definitely will be looking forward to your future posts! God Bless!
Eileen » Thank you kindly! I can’t write here as often as I’d like, but when I do, it’s great to hear kind words like yours.
a. said:
“what it’s all about” It’s why I continue to fight the good fight. *sigh*
a. » That’s also why I respect and admire you and others like you. Keep on keepin’ on.
MeMeMe said:
Read “Siddhartha” as translated by Herman Hesse… Then you’ll really be enlightened.
MeMeMe » I’ll be sure to pick up Siddhartha Monday; I’m always looking for great book recommendations.
MeMeMe said:
BTW: Love your posts on CL and your blog J. Dakar. You’re an inspiration–keep it up!
MeMeMe » Thank you kindly for the kind words.
jose said:
The inputs for the comment fields are still coming out a little weird, but cool layout nonetheless. This blog is definitely a manifesto to read. I liked it, and it’s in sharp contrast to what most people expect from someone who writes in a gossip blog. People don’t really get to see the more personal side of the blogger, but this goes a long way into showing what’s really good.
and to think, I knew of this blog before you went to CL. Keep up the good work, J. Peace …
jose » Did some tweaking with the CSS; let me know if it helped. I sincerely appreciate hearing that. Your words have sparked an upcoming entry.
Emerald said:
“I guess I always felt that because it was a childhood dream and everyone around me not only knew about it, but expected it, I had to make it happen; if not, it would be as if I failed and a failure I am not.” <—omg. That’s what’s been running through my head for about a month now. That statement like speaks to my soul or something. lol
I’m glad you’ve found what you’re truly passionate about and are pursuing it. That’s beautiful. It must be a great feeling.
Emerald » It truly is and I’m sure you’ll have that feeling soon, too.
brran1 said:
Growing up, most kids thought they had everything figured out. But as always, life throws you some curveballs which may end up derailing or delaying your initial plan. In college, you may major in one thing, but may discover a passion for something else in the process (as you have). In a sense college could be distraction from the real world, but in a sense, doesn’t it open your eyes to everything that goes on on an international level?
brran1 » It does. By the way, you’ve sparked an upcoming entry.
C said:
Dear J. You are such a little humanitarian and I love that about you. Never change. For serious.
Open Up | Write State of Mind said:
[...] UpWhat It’s All AboutOlderLike Water for ChocolateWhat’s Wrong With This Picture?It’s Time [...]
On the List | Write State of Mind said:
[...] then, I hadn’t yet figured out what it’s all about as quite a few items involved consumerism. I’ll admit that I made some of those purchases, [...]
J. Dakar » Open Up said:
[...] Jose said in a recent comment really caught my attention, though: This blog is definitely a manifesto to read. I liked it, [...]