Thinking Out Loud, Part I

Once upon a time, I was an awkward little kid who had to run around the building at recess because I was so klutzy and had a phobia of falling off of things that I didn't actually play at recess. I'm probably the only kid in the universe who could have listed recess as my most-hated subject.

Even at 6, I was well aware that I was odd. No one else had to run laps around the building. No one seemed to understand that I didn't exactly hate running around the building, I just hated being singled out. I still do. Let me plan the party, dress
in black and manage logistics. Don't make me play hostess.

In my small town back-in-the-day, sports were everything, which is why recess was such a big deal. Athletes were worshiped. I spent many afternoons crying after school because I knew, even at 6, that I wasn't designed for anything requiring athletic ability. My dad taught me to play baseball and basketball and croquet (not sure how that fits into this, but it is humorous that he taught me a lawn game during a time we didn't actually have any lawn). It wasn't that I didn't like sports or activity - I loved playing with my family. I loved watching Braves baseball games and Cougars football games with my dad. I just didn't like recess. At all.

One day, after a particularly showy display of snot and tears after school, my mom told me, "People have different talents. Some are good at some things, others are good at other things. No one is good at everything." She told me that school was my talent.

I spent the rest of my life pursuing school with every ounce of talent I had. As it turns out, I was pretty talented musically as well, but, blessed with a practical brain, it was a side project and I never put much work into it.

The academic pursuit propelled me through a series of jobs that were just perfect for me. Jobs that were chronically underpaid, but full of opportunities and mentoring and growth beyond my wildest dreams. Jobs that allowed me to travel, manage teams, manage multi-million dollar budgets, develop and execute campaigns, meet some of the most talented people in business and grow exponentially. All things that were worth far more than the abominable salary I made my first five years out of college.

And I thrived.

To be Continued ...