I bumped into this neighbour of mine after a very long time this evening. He is probably 40 years old. He had worked as a banker for many many years. One fine day, he decided that what he really wanted was to become a nurse. He quit his banking job, and is now training to be a nurse.
Today, he is juggling his work shifts with his classes and exams, working twice as hard for half the pay. But he is happy. And it shows. I identified with his happiness, as I went through the same thing when I quit my job as an engineer, and decided to become an editor. I was confused, I did not know what I was doing, whether it was the right thing to do. But I knew -- and I still do -- that it made me very very happy. Wasn't it all that mattered?
And as I spoke to him, I started thinking -- at what point in life do we know what we really want? And decide what we want to do about it? When do we sit up and realise that everything we are doing is all wrong, and that it's not too late to make amends? Is it right to think this way? That we were meant to do things that are different from what we are doing now? How many of us actually leave our comfort zones, go ahead and really do it? How many of us are sure that after we have made the switch, we will be truly happy?
Will we ever know for sure that we have reached our 'destination' and are truly doing what we were meant to do? Or is it human nature to always remain dissatisfied with the current state of affairs, and dream on about that something 'which we could have done'? Maybe the escapist attitude of "If-I-were-doing-that-I-would-be-so-good-at-it" helps to cover our shortcomings, and makes us feel good.
Maybe it gives us hope to live yet another day.
Thursday, March 03, 2005
Making the big switch
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6 comments:
hey, thanks for stopping by my blog... i was quite enthralled by your blog -- your dog is sooo cute! ;-) I might visit Singapore sometime this year to visit a friend... any nice places you can recommend?
Hi there!
If this is gonna be your first visit to Singapore, you'll probably love the typical tourist places! Contrary to what one may perceive, Singapore does have things other than food, clubbing and shopping! ;)
If you like animals, the night safari and Jurong bird park are must-sees! And of course, Sentosa island's good too. You'll need one whole day to see all of it, though! :) And take the cable car, don't take the road!
East Coast beach is great for cycling and roller-blading.
The Esplanade provides a beautiful backdrop for photos-that-prove-you-visited-Singapore! :)
I completely identify with what you say. I switched from being a developer to being a designer. BUt I knew it for around a year before I finished my graduation that computer engineering is not what I wanted to do. I have always wanted to be a designer and once the opportunity came along, I just grabbed it.
I am not satisfied as you say. But if I am the one to like status quo then how will I become better and learn more things? I wouldnt have left my secure developer job in the first place! So I presume its inherent in us to be "unsatisfactory" about the current conditions and be encouraged to grow better.
I know I have taken a huge risk with the switch. Heck, I didnt "learn" anything in any "reputed design school" either. But I am happy doing what I am doing. I wish to do a lot better. But getting where I want to be is a ride thats simply not a drudgery anymore!
How true...
Hey Sayesha. I've been reading your blog only for a little while now but I felt connected to you and your thoughts. But this post... this takes the cake. I am also an engineer who has just realized that she is in the wrong job and would be much happier in a creative writing career. I'm just on the brink of taking the big step.
good one..yes, not many of us can break the mould and do things which we are really meant to do..just imagine, how it would be if each person got to do the job that loves the most, I think the world would have been a different place altogether, but I think when we look at the reality that resources are limited and too many people are fighting for those few jobs, it explains why people cant follow their heart..but really, hats off to those who are able to find their true calling, and these are the people who are most productive, coz they love what they do :)
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