As you may have noticed, this blog is called "Writing With J. Allen Tucker." I am a writer, because I write. I am a blogger, because I blog. Those two things do not define me as a human being. Each of us is multifaceted. We all have varied backgrounds, experiences, interests, knowledge, expertise, beliefs, etc. What do you choose to define who you are?
In college, it seems that the get to know you question is "what's your major?" I had many majors in college. I would really have to stop and think for a while, to determine how many. I had two problems in choosing a major. I was able to do many things, so I had a hard time narrowing my focus. I also felt like I needed to find what vocation, that I felt called to do.
At first, I was an engineering major, I was good and math, and I knew that money could be made there. I quickly realized that I disliked complicated higher-level math courses more than I liked the idea of one day getting the big salary as an engineer.
I was a history major, because I loved history and I liked learning about the past. However, I wasn't sure how that would pay the bills. So, in a way I guess I decided that I like the prospect of having enough money to pay the bills, more than I liked the idea of being a historian.
I could keep going, but I eventually choose several more majors. Two highlights are art and journalism. Those were the majors, that I stuck with the longest, without getting a degree in them.
The final major I choose was one that I thought would be useful in helping people. The degree I obtained has not exactly been used in the traditional sense. It may have helped me get a job or two, but I have never worked in the field, that I studied.
As I sit at the local coffee shop and work, I often hear local college students or ones who come to town to work at summer camps defining who they are by their major. I remember those days, which seem not that far away and extremely far away, at the same time. I remember all the things, that seemed so important at the time, but over the course of real life, they really were not that important.
From my point of view today, I can see how small my problems were when I was a student, but I have a difference perspective, from the other side of the experience.
The other day, while working at the coffee shop, a short but dangerous storm blew threw town. There were high winds and a lot of hail. There was extensive damage just west of the location of the coffee shop. Once the storm passed, we can see clearly see the aftermath. We can see where hail dented cars and broke windows. We can see the broken limbs and toppled trees.
In our current season of life, most likely we will face issues, problems and trials, but we somethings forget the aftermath of these problems. These experiences help us grow and mature. Reflection on past victories, can encourage us, to fight the current battles.
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." - James 1:2-4
"For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." - 2 Corinthians 4:17-18
In college, it seems that the get to know you question is "what's your major?" I had many majors in college. I would really have to stop and think for a while, to determine how many. I had two problems in choosing a major. I was able to do many things, so I had a hard time narrowing my focus. I also felt like I needed to find what vocation, that I felt called to do.
At first, I was an engineering major, I was good and math, and I knew that money could be made there. I quickly realized that I disliked complicated higher-level math courses more than I liked the idea of one day getting the big salary as an engineer.
I was a history major, because I loved history and I liked learning about the past. However, I wasn't sure how that would pay the bills. So, in a way I guess I decided that I like the prospect of having enough money to pay the bills, more than I liked the idea of being a historian.
I could keep going, but I eventually choose several more majors. Two highlights are art and journalism. Those were the majors, that I stuck with the longest, without getting a degree in them.
The final major I choose was one that I thought would be useful in helping people. The degree I obtained has not exactly been used in the traditional sense. It may have helped me get a job or two, but I have never worked in the field, that I studied.
As I sit at the local coffee shop and work, I often hear local college students or ones who come to town to work at summer camps defining who they are by their major. I remember those days, which seem not that far away and extremely far away, at the same time. I remember all the things, that seemed so important at the time, but over the course of real life, they really were not that important.
From my point of view today, I can see how small my problems were when I was a student, but I have a difference perspective, from the other side of the experience.
The other day, while working at the coffee shop, a short but dangerous storm blew threw town. There were high winds and a lot of hail. There was extensive damage just west of the location of the coffee shop. Once the storm passed, we can see clearly see the aftermath. We can see where hail dented cars and broke windows. We can see the broken limbs and toppled trees.
In our current season of life, most likely we will face issues, problems and trials, but we somethings forget the aftermath of these problems. These experiences help us grow and mature. Reflection on past victories, can encourage us, to fight the current battles.
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." - James 1:2-4
"For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." - 2 Corinthians 4:17-18
Thanks,
J. Allen Tucker
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