Are You Waiting For Your Ship To Come In?
Posted by Trisha Wagner on December 30, 2008
Swimming in a sea of emotions; that is how I feel today. It is early in the morning….and I mean early, the time of day when the world is 
quiet as it transitions into a new day and alas I am up because I can’t sleep. Well to be truthful, I fell asleep very early when I put my son to bed last night so I actually have had a full night’s rest by 3 A.M. Moving on, although I have been M.I.A. recently (for which I sincerely apologize) I am currently patiently waiting what feels like an eternity to begin my second to the last day of work at my “real job” as some people call it, and have a few moments of peace to think about my life.
While I couldn’t be happier to be handing in my key at the end of the work day tomorrow, I have to admit I have a feeling of pensiveness. I know that may sound silly, especially if you knew the type of place where I work, nonetheless I have grown accustomed to going there and doing the same thing for the past 3.5 years. For a creature of habit such as myself there was some comfort in that routine. That being said, I am elated about the change of course that my life is about to take. It has taken a long time to tap into the part of my brain that is able to think outside the box and that stimulated brain is thankful to finally be put to use again.
Keeping with Tish’s theme on New Year resolutions, I challenge each of you to take a serious look at your life and where it is heading. Are you satisfied with the path you are on? Are you happy with the choices you have made? I’m here to tell you being content or comfortable are not always the best things if you are in fact settling for less than you want out of life. If you examine where you are at this exact moment in your life and you find that you are indeed settling – either in a relationship or your career – it is time to take the next step and make the changes necessary to find real fulfillment in your life.
I want to share with you a little story about a man who was waiting until tomorrow to live the life he dreamed of. This man married his sweetheart right out of high school and immediately went to work to provide for his young wife. They had two wonderful daughters and for thirty years he was a steadfast provider for his family working a swing shift at a local factory. Of course, he loved his family and wouldn’t dream of risking their financial future but it was clear he dreamed of bigger things for both himself and his girls. He found comfort in thinking that one day when the kids are grown or the bills are all paid or the savings account is big enough…….he would stop working at that factory and follow his dreams. Unfortunately things did not work out that way and he was never able to accomplish that dream. One night he succumbed to a heart attack: he was 50 years old.
This sad story could easily apply to any number of men and women who have sacrificed and struggled day to day wishing for a better tomorrow. In this case that man was my father. He passed away when I was 22 years old and for many years I felt very sad. Not just for my loss, but for his…..the loss of a life he never took the chance to pursue. Don’t get me wrong-he worked hard and had a happy life. He and my mother had the type of relationship most people only dream of when it comes to finding our soul mate and as a family we are blessed with many happy memories. Yet as I get older and see how quickly the years are ticking by I feel a greater sense of loss for what they might have missed while they were waiting for …… that one day.
So imagine my surprise when earlier this year I looked at my life and realized I was on the exact same path. Working at a job for the sake of “having” a job to pay the bills and watching the days turn into years. It is beyond my ability to describe what it feels like to finally face the fears that have held me back in life and move forward in pursuit of my dreams. I am experiencing a great sense of accomplishment by simply taking the first step.
As we head into the new year with hearts full of wishful thinking ask yourself this,
What would you do if you knew you had just one more day, one more week, or one more year?
Would you still get up and go to the same old job? Would you gather your loved ones close and try to make up for lost time with them? Would you jump on a plane and travel to exotic places you have only been to in your dreams? What would you do? As we ring in a New Year think about these questions and remember not one of us is promised another day. If you have a passion for something, a dream, goals you wish to achieve but feel are out of your reach, make this the year you overcome your fears and start living your life to the fullest! Life is too short for anything less.
I want to wish everyone a very Happy New Year and success in all your endeavors, whatever they may be!!
Tisha said,
APPLAUSE! APPLAUSE! APPLAUSE!
And thanks for making me cry! You truly have a gift.
Now, I know you know this but I am SO PROUD of you for practicing what you preach. I only hope that others reading this will do the same thing!
Debbie Dragon said,
Trisha, this is an incredible post. I literally had chills reading it and if I thought I was gung ho and inspired for the new year and our new business plans BEFORE reading it, well – it’s nothing compared to what I’m feeling now.
See you soon
Chrissy said,
I am so so proud of you baby sister. This article is so real. Not just because of losing Dad and how you summed it up. Your words hit home and make you stop and think. Your writing is exceptional, it can make me laugh & cry. I admire your courage for doing what you want to do. Many people think about following their dreams but it is scary to leave the “secure paycheck”. I have no doubt you will suceed with your new chapter in life. I support you 110%. Again, I am very very proud of you. I can’t wait to see what your writing brings to you!
kirk fletcher said,
Thank you. this has really made me think of my life and past experiences . There is no guarantee of tommorow. Make it happen now.
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snigdha said,
Oh, Trisha, loved your post – it was like I was listening to myself. I have already taken my call and have ” spread my wings ” about 5 months back to follow my passions – after over 25 years of service with a secure paycheck and pretty good social status. I have been through different kinds and layers of emotions by now – especially what you feel without your official “title” that constituted the major portion of your identity for s..o..o many years ! But, sincerely, I am enjoying it !! You are so correct about ” that one day “, we all tend to wait for. And yes, taking the first step is the most important and the mo..o..st difficult ( telling from my own experience – especially when you know that you have a successful career). My compliments to you and wish you all the best in your pursuit of your dreams. And thanks to Daphne of joyful days which gave this link .
Isaac Yassar said,
Hi, I’m Isaac Yassar and I help people reaching success in self development and blogging for free.
AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Please share me how you learned to write like that.
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Travis said,
I have recently discovered the world of blogging, and let me say hearing people like you is truly an inspiration. I am in no way capable of quitting my job right now, but before 6 weeks ago, I never even gave it a thought. Now because of people like you I realize that one day I could achieve my dream of working for myself. Lets hope it comes sooner rather than later.
SimplyForties said,
Good luck to you in what will be a very year, no doubt with some challenges. I’m sure you will prosper!
SimplyForties said,
Let me try that again! Good luck to you in what will be a very different year, no doubt with some challenges. I’m sure you will prosper! (Proofreading before hitting enter is a good thing, even when you are only typing two sentences!)
jessica said,
I’m with you. I have been very dissatisfied with my professional work life for the past year and a half. Unfortunately, I was not in a position to make any changes as my husband lost his job in 08/07 and did not get another until 03/08. We have a two year old daughter and want more children.
Lately, though, it’s as if my planets are aligning– or whatever– signs keep coming my way that I might be able to, more easily and sooner than I thought, quit fulltime outside the home work and stay home with my child(ren).
That is my dream. Whether it will become reality, only time will tell, but I’m feeling more positive that it could head in that direction.
The way I feel is, I’d rather be working when I’m 70 than right now when my little girl needs me so much.
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Hilary Kay said,
You are a gifted writer and have a way of provoking deep thoughts. I enjoyed it. Keep up the good work!
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Diana Raab said,
Bravo to your blog entry and for being proactive in your life. I agree that people do not listen enough to the voices of their hearts.
I might also add, that journaling also helps people figure out what they want to do! You might want to check out my blog for ideas, http://www.dianaraab.wordpress.com and also read my books which are based on journal entries:
REGINA’S CLOSET: FINDING MY GRANDMOTHER’S SECRET JOURNAL
DEAR ANAIS: MY LIFE IN POEMS FOR YOU
Wishing you all great things this year!
Diana
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