Writing Challenge-Day #11
Something you always think "What if..." about.
I think the most common "What if..." I ask myself, is what if I had started schooling in my current line of work earlier in life. When I was a kid, I had always wanted to be a doctor. At the time, I didn't know what kind of doctor, just that I wanted to be one. The only doctor I really knew was a family physician as I lived in a small town and had limited contact with the medical system.
Well, fast forward a few years, I started university in the pre-engineering program, and didn't like it at all. Then I wandered around work for a few years, started my family, and then got involved in the medical field. By the time I started my first related education pursuits, we had two children and before I was done my diploma, we had three and had moved several times. Life continued to progress quickly, we moved a few more times and kept having kids. Then, by the time I really decided that a real run at medical school was in the cards, we were at four kids and in debt with student loans and a house. I went ahead and applied, more than one year in fact. But it didn't pan out. While working toward this, I continued to finish my degree, changed jobs (still in health care) and had more kids.
I was talking with a friend (a physician) at work recently and he asked me where I was in my application. I told him that it wasn't something I was working toward anymore. We talked about the benefits of still working to apply in my situation and just working at what I am doing. Now, I feel like I should point out that I really enjoy my current employment, make a decent living and have a wonderful family and home life.
So, when I look back over my life, sure I ask myself what if? What if I had started in pre-med classes first thing? What if I had delayed marriage or kids to focus on education? What if I dedicated everything I had a few years ago to go back to school and focus on getting into med school? Now I'm not saying that this is an exercise in futility, but it sort of is. It doesn't change what I have and where I am in life. And in fact, I don't think I would want to change my situation. Just like everyone else, I have my challenges. My kids stress me out sometimes, I still have to pay bills and I could always make more money. But I have some of the best kids in the world. I definitely have the best wife in the world. I enjoy my job and like working with the people I do. There is no way I would ever say that I regret how my life has turned out, because I don't. The person I am, the characteristics I have, my ability to interact with others is because of the experiences I have. I think we have a tendency to ask what if? when we should be asking What now?
Anyway, that's my two cents. I have the life I love, not the one I had dreamed of when I was a kid, but I love it all the same.
What is your What if..?
I think the most common "What if..." I ask myself, is what if I had started schooling in my current line of work earlier in life. When I was a kid, I had always wanted to be a doctor. At the time, I didn't know what kind of doctor, just that I wanted to be one. The only doctor I really knew was a family physician as I lived in a small town and had limited contact with the medical system.
Well, fast forward a few years, I started university in the pre-engineering program, and didn't like it at all. Then I wandered around work for a few years, started my family, and then got involved in the medical field. By the time I started my first related education pursuits, we had two children and before I was done my diploma, we had three and had moved several times. Life continued to progress quickly, we moved a few more times and kept having kids. Then, by the time I really decided that a real run at medical school was in the cards, we were at four kids and in debt with student loans and a house. I went ahead and applied, more than one year in fact. But it didn't pan out. While working toward this, I continued to finish my degree, changed jobs (still in health care) and had more kids.
I was talking with a friend (a physician) at work recently and he asked me where I was in my application. I told him that it wasn't something I was working toward anymore. We talked about the benefits of still working to apply in my situation and just working at what I am doing. Now, I feel like I should point out that I really enjoy my current employment, make a decent living and have a wonderful family and home life.
So, when I look back over my life, sure I ask myself what if? What if I had started in pre-med classes first thing? What if I had delayed marriage or kids to focus on education? What if I dedicated everything I had a few years ago to go back to school and focus on getting into med school? Now I'm not saying that this is an exercise in futility, but it sort of is. It doesn't change what I have and where I am in life. And in fact, I don't think I would want to change my situation. Just like everyone else, I have my challenges. My kids stress me out sometimes, I still have to pay bills and I could always make more money. But I have some of the best kids in the world. I definitely have the best wife in the world. I enjoy my job and like working with the people I do. There is no way I would ever say that I regret how my life has turned out, because I don't. The person I am, the characteristics I have, my ability to interact with others is because of the experiences I have. I think we have a tendency to ask what if? when we should be asking What now?
Anyway, that's my two cents. I have the life I love, not the one I had dreamed of when I was a kid, but I love it all the same.
What is your What if..?
My two "What if" s are: What if I decided to pursue an acting/directing career instead of engineering? And, what if I knew the Church younger? Nevertheless, I do not regret the life I have, the one that makes me what I am.
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