Roar

The last and final STAAR test was administered today and I am happy we don't have to do this again...until next year.

I have been following the career of one of my friends. He was a reporter when I was one back home. Of course, he was a tv reporter and I was print. I was always fascinated by his reporting tactics. He was always front and center. Never afraid to chase the lead, never scared to interview anyone. Getting the story was the most important thing. And I tried to do that too, but in my own little way. I had the passion, but was never that driven like him. A few months ago he was hired by CNN, he would be the new Japan correspondent. He's been covering all these breaking news and I can't help but notice I have let go of that dream.

He never lost the passion. He knew what he needed to do, he gave up dreams, he have up a lot, to get to the top.

Today he posted this on FB and I was both extremely happy for him, but a bit sad for myself.

When I first started my journalism career, it was a tour of CNN that changed my life. I knew that was what I wanted to do. I knew I wanted to get to the top, and for me, that was CNN.

But it didn't quite work that way. And that's what happens in life. Sometimes you can't go where you mostly want to be and you settle for second best. Even though in your hearts of hearts, you know you want to go and are ready for that place, there's that little voice that tells you, "Not for you" or "Not yet" or "I have other plans for you."

Just like people you love having babies with other people. You want that life, you are ready for it and would welcome it with open arms, but, "Not for you." Is the voice I hear. Or like the time when you were a kid, wanting that ice cream from the ice cream truck, but your parents telling you no. Or that job you hoped and worked so hard for, but having someone tell you that you are not ready or should be thinking of doing something else.

It happened to me, when I was a reporter, I had editors tell me that I didn't belong in the newspaper industry. I should be off doing something else.

I sure tried. But that little voice, was heard again. So settling in to the new life worth the dreams left behind?

This year I have learned so much about my personal and professional life. When I least thought I could not reach that goal, I reached it.

This entry may sound negative, but sometimes second best gets you to the life of your dreams.

What will life bring next? Hopefully that little voice will say, "ok, this is for you. Enjoy!"