Preface
My first assigned reading in Sociology is the preface, and I initially thought it would be just a boring summary of its content. Amazingly, I found myself relating to the first two pages. There are literally things we want in life that drive us, but why has this yearning consumed us so? I am a woman who has made the conscience decision to return to school a third time and probably not my last time.
The main reason I have chosen to return to school is to obtain a degree in a field that will allow me to financially do the things I desire. I was making a six-figure income when I was injured on the job, and found myself at the mercy of the workman’s compensation system. My experience with this system revealed it was not set up for me to get medical attention and return to work. Instead, it was set up to draw out the treatment until the company could terminate me. I had to sit and not necessarily ask “What I want to do when I grow up?” but rather what I wanted to do now with my life. I felt I already had known what I wanted to do with my life, but due to a situation that was out of my control, I am having to ask this very question again.
I am nothing like the character Robert DeNiro plays in the 2015 movie “The Intern.” I can honestly say, I am accustomed to today’s technology, social media trends and I am familiar with some of the jargon spoken by today’s youth. However, I will admit, my return to college as a middle-aged woman has been a bit of a culture shock. I see faces of students either my children’s age or younger. Nearly, every student has an electronic device in their hands or ear buds in their ears to block out the world around them. The scent of marijuana is now as common as a man’s cologne around campus. These things were not only considered inappropriate, but down right disrespectful, the last time I attended this very college 15 years ago.
I do have the opportunity to stay home due to a loving and supportive husband. However, I have an overwhelming desire to be debt-free, and want the ability to travel anywhere in the world at a moments notice. My craving to have that sense of security, as well as fulfilling my sense of adventure is like a strong yearning I can not ignore! I have learned to accept that I can no longer return to my previous field due to my injury, but for some odd reason I cannot accept the fact that I can not have the things I want. It is as if I have become addicted to the lifestyle that I had before my injury. I can say it is a strong desire for me and look forward to looking into depth why it is. Is it because of personal pride? Fear? Is it a status I feel I need to maintain for others in my social circle? This is how my journey begins.
LifesWeeds 