A Reflection: Forever Begins Right Now
I wrote an entry in my online journal a while back that had a particular meaning in my life that I thought I'd share. I think it was one of my best entries as to how it relates to how I feel, which I don't really let out much. Not the 'I hate Tennessee' (which is quite real, but not exactly a matter of the heart, I keep UT as far away from that as possible) or joking stuff, but the sincere stuff...
Forever Begins Right Now (A song by the artist "Lit")
A good old Lit Title, but unlike the artist this entry has a serious theme.
Three years ago, I sat down and had a long hard look at myself and what I was going to do in this world. I had gone from a useless international relations degree to restaurant work, and I had nothing to show that I was making any progress whatsoever. So, I had a choice. I could either enter the University of Alabama directly, earn a MIS degree, and keep a constant struggle of GPA life support, or I could attempt to go through a very long difficult process that is a program the uni provides to those who are serious about starting fresh for people that genuinely wish to move on to a top graduate school. I guess it's also for those who have hopelessly lost all chances of graduation because their grades would never allow them to do so, but I wasn't in that category. I could have gone through it and still come out and I would have been able to go to graduate school and accelerated my graduation day, but I wouldn't have been able to attain what I want. So, I waited... and waited. In the meanwhile, I went to a po dunk community college taking whatever classes that I hadn't covered in int'l relations that were required understudy for my degree. It took six semesters, an appeal that was submitted to a committee of the highest sort, and a great many other things that I won't go into. Not the least of the things I had to endure was the constant questioning of those that knew me as to when I would get out. That's all anybody ever really cares about. When will you get out... it's because they haven't ever been through it, and sadly most of the time it really doesn't interest them. So I have a quote for all those that have posed the same question to me for so long.
"Slow but steady wins the race" said the tortoise to the hare.
Today, I will set foot on campus again for the first time in three years, and the finish line is in my sight. After that of course, my aim is to get an MBA from a top ten ranked program in the United States. I am really happy that I have clawed my way back in order to do something tremendous with my life. So many, well almost all to be honest, of my friends have desires that are far below the bar that I have set for myself. I'm not saying that in a bad way. Whatever makes you happy is fine by me, but I have it within me to do something truly great in this life. I will meet my just end. Through all of this, I have learned that I truly do love the world of academia. It makes you grow as a person. It makes you less narrow minded. It wards you away from being the person that you always wanted not to become, and it spurs growth in a deeper way than most can understand unless they experience it for themselves. So, this is to the last great adventure of my undergraduate career. I will not rest until it is done. So here's one last quote for you, from a movie that just popped into my head that explains exactly where I am right now in this life...
"Winners forget they're in a race. They just love to run."
Forever Begins Right Now (A song by the artist "Lit")
A good old Lit Title, but unlike the artist this entry has a serious theme.
Three years ago, I sat down and had a long hard look at myself and what I was going to do in this world. I had gone from a useless international relations degree to restaurant work, and I had nothing to show that I was making any progress whatsoever. So, I had a choice. I could either enter the University of Alabama directly, earn a MIS degree, and keep a constant struggle of GPA life support, or I could attempt to go through a very long difficult process that is a program the uni provides to those who are serious about starting fresh for people that genuinely wish to move on to a top graduate school. I guess it's also for those who have hopelessly lost all chances of graduation because their grades would never allow them to do so, but I wasn't in that category. I could have gone through it and still come out and I would have been able to go to graduate school and accelerated my graduation day, but I wouldn't have been able to attain what I want. So, I waited... and waited. In the meanwhile, I went to a po dunk community college taking whatever classes that I hadn't covered in int'l relations that were required understudy for my degree. It took six semesters, an appeal that was submitted to a committee of the highest sort, and a great many other things that I won't go into. Not the least of the things I had to endure was the constant questioning of those that knew me as to when I would get out. That's all anybody ever really cares about. When will you get out... it's because they haven't ever been through it, and sadly most of the time it really doesn't interest them. So I have a quote for all those that have posed the same question to me for so long.
"Slow but steady wins the race" said the tortoise to the hare.
Today, I will set foot on campus again for the first time in three years, and the finish line is in my sight. After that of course, my aim is to get an MBA from a top ten ranked program in the United States. I am really happy that I have clawed my way back in order to do something tremendous with my life. So many, well almost all to be honest, of my friends have desires that are far below the bar that I have set for myself. I'm not saying that in a bad way. Whatever makes you happy is fine by me, but I have it within me to do something truly great in this life. I will meet my just end. Through all of this, I have learned that I truly do love the world of academia. It makes you grow as a person. It makes you less narrow minded. It wards you away from being the person that you always wanted not to become, and it spurs growth in a deeper way than most can understand unless they experience it for themselves. So, this is to the last great adventure of my undergraduate career. I will not rest until it is done. So here's one last quote for you, from a movie that just popped into my head that explains exactly where I am right now in this life...
"Winners forget they're in a race. They just love to run."
posted by dj (David Jones) at 10:24 PM
1 Comments:
Hey Dave!!
I like this little glimpse into the enigma that is Dave! I know what you mean about the academic world. I was drawn back into it, too. It's a kind of comfort level that I haven't found anywhere else, and I realized I"m happiest when I'm at school. I'm so glad you made the life-changing decision to sort your life out. 'tis bold!! But, you've gotta do what makes you happy.
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