Life takes some crazy, unexpected turns. I am not sure I know anyone who, at this point in their life, is doing what they thought they would be doing. I had my entire life mapped out. Life seldom pays attention to our plans.
When I was growing up, I was convinced I was going to be a teacher. At the end of each school year, I was the kid dragging home all the leftover dittos and any outdated text books so that I could spend my entire summer playing school. By high school, I thought I would like to be a social studies/history teacher. Toward the end of my senior year of high school, I met a guy. You can probably see where this is going. My young heart and I couldn’t bear the thought of going away to school. How could I possibly leave when I felt I was in “love”?! So I changed my plans and enrolled in the criminal justice program at a local 2 year technical college.
Fast forward a few months to me dropping the unfaithful boyfriend, but being 4 months pregnant. I still went to school, taking the summer off to have my older daughter and then going right back to school in the fall. I graduated with honors with my associate’s degree in criminal justice. Though I had no idea what I would do with it. I worked odd jobs here and there in retail and eventually worked as a loss prevention specialist. I left there to go back to school to get my bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. I felt aimless with my career and education at this point, and I knew I needed to at least have a 4 year degree to have a better idea of my life plans.
While in college for the second time, I interned at a local prison and felt I had found my second calling – I thought being a unit manager at the prison would be a great fit for me and what I was interested in accomplishing. Then…you guessed it…another curve ball in life. I had pulmonary embolisms 2 months before graduation. Turns out a genetic condition making me more likely to develop blood clots + birth control = lots of time in the hospital, being placed on blood thinners and being told it was in my best interest to not work in the prison system. If something ever got out of hand, I would be very vulnerable health-wise and my doctor recommended I work a job less dangerous.
I worked as a case manager in the mental health field following graduation. Life threw another curve ball, but this time it was a welcome one. 🙂 I met my amazing boyfriend Donny while working there – and a lot of crazy chances and circumstances led to that. Fate at work for sure. After becoming pregnant a couple of years after meeting Donny, I left the mental health field. I took time off with my younger daughter before entering the mental health field again. Due to a crazy schedule, I then worked as an office assistant.
After losing that job (they were downsizing and eliminated my part time position), I was again an at-home mom. I saw that my local public library was hiring for a children’s librarian, and I was not qualified for that position at all. I also saw that they were hiring for a temporary/seasonal library clerk, and I was definitely qualified for that so I applied. I got the job and it felt like I was right where I was supposed to be!
After working at the library for nearly one year (and being promoted to permanent part time with more hours), the children’s librarian position was coming open again in August of this year. The director, assistant director, other employees and even members of the board strongly suggested I apply for the position. They renamed the position to fit my qualifications: Teen & Children’s Program Specialist. I applied for and obtained this job and have been working in this position since 9/1/15.
Being a Teen & Children’s Program Specialist at the library is something I never would have dreamed of doing. But each day I go to work, I feel like I am where I should be. It just clicks. I’ve been an avid reader my whole life. The dad of one of my best friends through junior high and high school was the librarian and my friends and I hung out at the library every.single.day. I’m not sure why it never occurred to me to look at the library as a place where I could have a career that I love. Though I think everything happened in the way it was meant to happen.
It’s never too late to be who you might have been. This quote is so very true in my life. I feel like I am now the person I might have been. My path was bumpy and filled with a lot of struggle. But it led me to being Keira’s mother…Natalie’s mother…Donny’s girlfriend. Nothing is more precious to me than those three. I have a job that is fulfilling. I do get to be a ‘teacher’ at my job – I read to kids in story time, I make crafts and plan programs.
Even if it seems impossible, don’t give up on what you want. Your soul is forever seeking out what you want deep in your heart of hearts. It’s never too late.
I’d love to know…does your life path look like mine? Full of crazy detours you had no intention of taking, but you ended up right where you belonged? Do you have some of those ‘might have beens’ floating around in your head? Are you where you thought you would be in life?
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Callie (CreaTEAvity) Carling
Brooke, your story of how you got into ‘teaching’ eventually is so inspiring! Yes, life throws us curveballs all the way throughout, hey?
I always wanted to study Psychology but due to family commitments, then becoming a single mum age 20 with very poor self-esteem (that made me think I wasn’t clever enough to study for such an academically-rigorous degree), I gave up. I did very well in various careers … but it wasn’t until I was diagnosed with cancer age 40 that I thought “hang on a minute”.
I’m very happy to say that I’ve just begun studying for my BSc Psychology (part-time), which is a step on the path to becoming an Art Psychotherapist – hopefully I’ll graduate with a Masters by the time I reach retiring age *haha*
Never EVER give up on your dreams; you have no idea where the long, winding path of Life will lead you …
With blessings, Callie (CreaTEAvity), London, UK #blogelina
Brooke
Hi Callie,
Thank you so much for sharing your story. I’m happy to hear that you are studying to follow your dreams! Wishing you all the luck in the world! I’m so glad you never gave up on your dreams. #blogelina #commentathon
-Brooke
Jamie
I know that God has a plan for all of our lives. Sometimes things that we thought would happen, seem to vanish and then a new and exciting idea turns up. We just have to be open to change and ready for adventure!! Love this post! 🙂 #BlogelinaCommentathon
Brooke
Hi Jamie! I agree – being open to all the changes life brings us is so important! Thank you for stopping by. 🙂 I’ll be checking out your blog today.
stacey loring
Very inspiring. Thank you so much for sharing. Life always throws us some curve balls but the winners in life are the ones who can catch them.
Team Dash Kitten
It is worth remembering that we can always change our path. You have certainly had an exciting career so far, and I hope your kids are as proud of their Mum as you are of them.
Your post is encouraging and shows all of us that it is never too late to change, ro develop and to grow! Well done!
Kimberlee
Such an inspiring post. It definitely helped put some things into perspective and give confirmation for a few things. Just have to remember that I can always go back to something I started that I wasn’t able to finish then, but can complete it now.
Erica
I worked at a library as a circulation specialist for four years. I LOVED that job! I have applied at other libraries as i have moved across the country. Now that I have a kindergartner the hours are not conducive to being a mom and a wife to a commercial fisherman. so i work part time at a local ministry instead.
#commentathon
Erica
Kari @The He Said She Said Experience
Well, tomorrow I’m going to a rheumatologist and I certainly didn’t plan that as recently as two weeks ago when I got sick. Trying to focus on stay calm, praying and doing what I can, when I can. I’m so glad that we had our miracle boy ten months ago. He’s my sunshine and a gift from God that’s making this more bearable!
Erin
I’ve always thought working in a library would be amazing! Life is full of twists and turns and I wouldn’t change a single one of them.
Charity
Life loves to throw curve balls doesn’t it? It seems like life has a great sense of humor (at least to it) – I don’t think a lot of people end up where they originally thought they would. It’s never too late to find your passion or your calling. In all honesty, I think we place too much stock in having ourselves and our children find their “true vocation” when in high school or early college years.
Patti Barnes
I am so pleased for you. It is great that you went with the curveballs, always found your new path and followed it, even though it was not the one you mapped.
Shauna S.
That is wonderful that you are in a career that makes you happy. It sounds like a wonderful program. I never thought I’d be a stay at home mom. It doesn’t sound as dazzling as other people I know. I think everything happens for a reason though. Life falls into place.
Tracy
This is awesome! I’m 47 and still not where I want to be in my career. I’ve always been in the legal field but am currently working in the banking field and really miss the legal side of things. Thanks for sharing your awesome story! 🙂 #blogelinacommentathon
Tina Collins
It’s so easy to give up especially when you don’t seem to be making any headway. Time is ticking away from me, along with my health so some things for me feel out of reach. But, I’m determined to get there some way 🙂
Cindy Wheeler
I too have gone through my career, working at different jobs while I was earning my certifications or going to school. During this time I also got married, had kids, moved, and so on. Each of these things always taking a toll on my career, which was a Firefighter/ Paramedic for over 20 years. As you may know it is a wonderful, great job. However it doesn’t pay well , the hours suck especially for a mom. Now if I was a Dad raising my family it wouldn’t be a problem and everyone would expect for me to be at work, but when you are a Mom with kids (and a husband who wants you to work, BUT not at this job). He would have prefered that I worked flipping burgers, making minimum wage and not working with mostly men, instead of me working at a job I loved, making more money than minimum and being safe in my job and happy.
So many of us go through it, and always will.
Donna
Lol! Indeed life had other plans for me! I met and married the boogie man, had my house blow up, miscarried and that was all before 30. I am grateful now for all the detours and roadblocks as I can now understand them. Made it to 50, by the grace of God, and the detours are still there, they are just not turning into stop signs anymore 🙂
Jennifer
Yes, sometimes life seems to be taking you on detours; however, those experiences help us grow and are leading us to the exact place we need to be. What a blessing to be able to love where you work and what you do.
Jay | Relaxed Thairapy
It’s never too late! I want to own a bakery one day. #commentathon
Raquel C
Kudos for taking charge of your life and you are so right, it is never too late to make a change. So inspiring.
Thanks for sharing.
Raquel
Denise Murray Wong
Even with perfect planning and determined vision, life throws those curve balls at us sometimes. Those that are most successful in life are the resilient people that are able to adjust and adapt to life’s changes. All the best to you and your family!
Ashley
I think the difference between being bitter about the crazy stuff that derails your plans and being blessed by it is in how you view it. You seem to view the crazy stuff as a path that led you to the right place which is very positive. I wish more people would have the willingness and strength to do that. Well done:)
Shann Eva
You have such an awesome story and it’s so inspiring. I’m not where I thought I would be either. I thought I would go to college, get married, have kids, etc. I didn’t end of meeting the person I was supposed to marry until much later in life, but I still have three wonderful kids. I think I’m still looking for “what I what to be when I grow-up.” Thank you for the inspiration!
Jeryl M.
I totally agree. I could never have even imagined that my daughter and I would end up starting a blog and it would bring us so many great experiences including the opportunity to participate in this commentathon.
Lindsey
I had totally different plans for my life in high school, but of course God had different plans for me. I am so happy with how my life has turned out so far! Everything happens for a reason:)
Karen
Knowledge is power and the more education a person can get the better. I have had a few curve balls too with life and jobs. It has been a learning experience from them both. I am glad you are happy at the library working there.
Natalie Gallagher
Oh Brooke, I can totally relate! My life and career path are not at all what I envisioned when I was younger. I earned a doctorate in a field in which I am no longer working in…how odd is that? I do believe that if we keep searching, we ultimately find where we are supposed to be. Good for you for getting there in your 30s!
Pamela
Thanks for sharing your story Brooke. I’m constantly battling with myself and trying to figure out if I’m doing what I was planted on this Earth to do. I don’t think I have figured it out quite yet but i think I’m on my way.
Megan The GypSeaFoodie
Ever hear “Life is what happens when we are busy making plans?” I believe that this is the case. I do think everything happens for a reason, and my plan for life has completely changed so many times. I know that it happens to everyone, but its nice to see that everything worked out for you in the end 🙂
Karen
Congratulations on finding a job that makes you happy and fulfilled! Life does indeed throw so many curveballs at us, it can be hard to stay positive and keep pushing toward our dreams!
Marissa McKenna
I too dreamt of being a teacher as a child. I did become one, and after only teaching for 6 years, I became a stay at home mom. Never in a million years would I have imagined not working! Once a teacher, always a teacher, I thought. Now I’ve been home for 5 years and wouldn’t want it any other way. I guess I technically teach through my blog, but it’s a whole new ballgame.
Kara @ La Vida Frugal
Every time that something in my life hasn’t gone as planned, something better has come along. People who expect their lives to travel along a particular path are bound to be disappointed. It’s much better to take things as they come and enjoy discovering new opportunities. Congratulations on finding out what you love to do and then doing it! It may not have been right out of high school, but you got there!
Jesska
Such a good post, when I was younger I wanted to be a teacher or a librarian for the same reasons! After doing an Education degree and decided it wasn’t for me, now I just wanted to be a librarian! Inspiring post, thank you 🙂 xxx
Jenni@DitchingOurDebt
I think a lot of us have had detours, and the older you get, the harder it is to feel like you can start over, but you’re right! Today is all we have.
Andrea
I am 45 and still wondering what I will be when I grow-up:) Life never gives us more than we can handle and after reading your post it is confirmed. Congrats on taking on everything life offered you! #commentathon
chaitali
Thank you for sharing your inspiring story. Yes, life does throw us some curve balls when we least expect it. But I think having these detours on the way to your destination make you more equipped to handle it when you eventually get there.
P.S – I think being a librarian is an amazing job. To spend your days surrounded by books…bliss!
MsCrookedHalo
I always knew that I wanted to be self-employed. But, after having kids, I also knew that I wanted to work from home. So, here I am, blogging from home as a professional. A career no one had even heard of when I was growing up and only a few schools actually teach as an option.
Cher
Good for you! Its important to take time for yourself and family.
Tanya
Great story! It is always inspiring to hear about an individual following their dreams even though they have been through so much. You are amazing.
Yona Williams
That is so cool that they renamed the position for so that you could become a Teen & Children’s Program Specialist! I too had an interest in becoming a librarian a couple of years ago, and had no clue that you had to have a specialized degree for that position. I thought that I’d become a library clerk to see if I really wanted to pursue it – even took the ‘exam’ which wasn’t an exam at all, but just a qualifications and experience indicator. People with seniority, a degree in library science, and years in the system (like volunteering) basically rank higher than you no matter what, and are up for positions before you. I ranked like 72…so that went out the window. You’ve had an interesting life and work journey, for sure!
Jen
Lots of detours. I am 38 and still not sure what I want to be when I grow up. Thank you for sharing. Very encouraging.
Jen
#blogelina
Nicole (@AlwaysReiding)
Hi! Thank you for sharing your story.
I think that life does somehow go a little crazy off course, for a reason. I have had some ups and downs and while my degree is in Broadcast news, I work in IT. It’s not a perfect fit, as I don’t really enjoy it, but it allows me to have time to write
Kari Ann
Such a great inspiring story, we should never give up on our dreams I agree 100%!