Rear View Mirror
My Journey…
Rear View Mirror (Part I)
I’m going to approach this Blog or dialogue or sometimes rants with a dual perspective—one as a mentor, and the other, a mentee. One thing I have learned over my lifetime is that learning never stops. Believe me, I tried really hard at one point in my life. At least for me, it's the easier route to take. Don't invest the time and energy, simple! However, the price led to negative consequences, unwanted surroundings, social circles that did not have my best interest at heart, and overall made me unhappy.
Learning doesn't come naturally for me. I still struggle with it. I have to work hard at it, and that can sometimes be tiring. I'd instead do this than that. My "this" tends to be things that bring me joy, satisfaction, an immediate sense of gratification. I like to work on or with something that allows me to be creative, artsy, and challenging, which encourages me to think outside the box. I realized that I like structure at some point in my life and thrived on it in the military, but I hate the confines of rules, even though I spent 10 years in the military! I think regulations stifle creativity, and I fight it, sometimes to my own detriment! This is why I seek knowledge. Not because I enjoy sitting in a 4-hour seminar or take a 6-month long course in something, but I seek knowledge because it gives me the tools I need to accomplish what I want. Three years and an AA degree in the community college at the age of 31 taught me how to study and enjoy learning. A bachelor of Science degree in Nursing placed me in a profession with endless possibilities. A Master's degree put me in a specialty that allowed me to tap into my creative side. Finally, a Ph.D. that allowed me to create knowledge and opened so many doors! However, this all didn't happen on its own. Like many colleagues I have talked to on my podcast, there were always people along the way that I leaned on. I didn't call them my mentors, and I may not have seen myself as a mentee, but they all provided a guiding light. More about them later!
I was not the best student in high school, and I think everyone who took me under their wing was just hoping I graduate. I don't think any of them would have believed I would have a Ph.D. after my name at any point. To be completely transparent, even some family members pleaded with my mom to not allow me to leave the military after 10 years. The concern: I would do nothing else with my life! And as long as we're putting it all on the table, I had severe doubts about myself also...
