We all know what that is, right? I don't need to bother with a definition, right?
There are so many ways this post could go. Deb talked about heart health, as February is National Heart Month. Go read her post, she has some great tips about staying heart healthy.
But for me, the word heart kept resonating with me in one way: follow your heart.
If you've been reading my blog for the past few weeks, you'll know that I was laid off at the beginning of the year. This presented some challenges, some meltdowns, and more than a few late night heart-to-heart talks with my husband.
My heart lies in books. In reading. The library or a book store. A good story, a bad story, a biography, whatever. I love them all. From an early age, I read as many books as I could possibly consume. I was an English major in college, for the sole fact that I got to read - maybe not what I wanted, but I didn't want to go to college anyway, so if I had to (and I had to said my parents), then I was going to spend those years doing something I liked.
Unfortunately, that never really translated into a profession for me. Real life and bills caught up to me, and after 4 years of college, I was just over school. What I should have done was gone on to get a Masters of Library Science.
Light bulb.
I actually had this epiphany a few years ago, but then I got pregnant and life again was weighing down on me, so it got pushed off. But this time, I feel like it's my chance to listen to my heart. I think, anyway.
Sometimes listening to your heart is scary.
It means that I will likely work part time, and therefore our income will be reduced. It could mean a lot of debt for us. It means that I'll have tests and homework, and that is really scary.
I applied to the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee for their online MLIS degree anyway. The first step is getting in. I can handle the first step.
I know I've talked about this a bit in past posts, but today I feel like it's really coming to a head for me. I've had some good job interviews: 2 part time and 1 full time, and my head and heart are warring a bit about which road I should go down. I haven't received an official acceptance letter yet, but based on some stuff going on with my online application, I feel like I'm in. I have an interview with the county next week for what may likely be a great job - safe, secure, pays well, good benefits, etc. So my mind may change again.
But I'm trying not to listen to that pesky brain today. Today, I'm following my heart.
What does the word heart mean to you? Link up and tell us about it!
Following your heart is SO scary, but speaking from experience of having gone back to school (for an "I should have done this the first time!" degree, too), I can say it's definitely worth it. It's not easy changing your lifestyle and your financial situation, but if it's something you feel pulled to do, you'll figure it out. Is there any way you could take one of the part-time positions and go to school (either part- or full-time), maybe feel it out for a bit before jumping in to one or the other?
ReplyDeleteFollow your heart - yet another great take on this week's word! I think there has been a greater variety of directions this week's word has been taken than any Wednesday Word so far.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your decision making process. My fingers are crossed that you have several options to choose from between job offers and grad school acceptance.
Thanks for linking up!
Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteGood for you--I truly believe it's important to follow your heart. Of course, my heart is telling me to take yoga teacher training, but my bills are telling me to stick to my nurse practitioner gig...
ReplyDeleteThat is definitely an issue for me as well, Wendy, but we're trying to rework our budget to allow for school too.
DeleteI think it's important to follow your heart now, if at all possible. Speaking from experience, the older you get the more difficult it will be. Good luck with your decision. I hope everything works out the way you want!
ReplyDeleteThat is what I keep coming back to. It'll be hard enough 10 years after graduation, even harder I'd I keep waiting!
DeleteFollowing your heart can be such a scary thing, but it can end up being just what you needed too. You've talked about getting laid off an an opportunity to explore other options and it sounds like life is giving you that chance. Good luck in making your decision! It will all work out.
ReplyDeleteI've had a similar struggle with following my heart the past couple of years. I am quite unhappy in my current job and would love to go back to school to pursue a career in psychology (likely teaching eventually), but it is just SO hard to give up a paycheck and think of all the what ifs. I hope you are able to find peace and clarity as you begin to narrow in on the best option for you right now.
ReplyDeleteI read this last week and I've been thinking about you since then! Big decisions are always tough, and the fretting and unknown parts are always the worst. I hope the decision-making period ends for you soon and you can move on to doing things that make you happy. Whatever you decide to do, you'll be good at it!
ReplyDelete