The writing prompt asks what’s the most important thing you’ve found ?

I sat and pondered this for a moment. I’ve never found a pile of money or even a gold nugget. An old valise never was uncovered in the attic with hidden treasures or at least old stock certificates. I think I found $5 lying on the ground once and I felt extremely joyful for that, but then it occurred to me that I was thinking about this all wrong, the most valuable things you find aren’t monetary. The most valuable finds elicit an emotional response or an awakening. I know it sounds cliche to say but the most valuable thing I ever found was myself.

I’ve always been fascinated with the concept of how people find their way both in life and into their chosen profession. Does the plumber grow up fantasizing about snaking a toilet the same way an athlete dreams of making the winning score. Likewise for the tree-trimmer, the truck driver and the painter just to name a few. Yet these are wonderful professions that provide a comfortable life-style. I speak from experience here as I never thought I’d be driving a truck but once I started doing it I found I rather enjoyed it. I think most people who find their way into a lot of professions never thought they would be there, and what comes first, finding your way in life or finding your way into your profession or does it go hand in hand ?

In high school I was always trying to fit in….sure I had friends but we were never in the popular crowd, we always seemed to be on the outside looking in. Sometimes I would wish I was somebody different and I would even have a different name and start over. College helped a lot. Being independent and making decisions is an important step to discovering yourself. A college campus is a wonderful place offering a wide variety of experiences. It’s so often the place a teenager transitions to a young adult and that may be the most valuable aspect of college. Although in one respect I was still lost….I entered college thinking I knew what I wanted to do and I left having no clue about my future. In that respect I kinda failed…….I didn’t take full advantage of all the opportunities to discover potential careers. I didn’t fully explore both myself and where I might fit in as I transitioned to adulthood. I didn’t fully understand myself, most importantly nor had I accepted myself for who I was and what my strengths were, and so I spent the first years out of college bouncing around from one meaningless job to the next. Looking back at that time I realized I wasn’t even participating in activities that made me happy, I was still trying to fit in instead of being myself.

I don’t know when it happened or how it happened, perhaps it has something to do with growing older and not caring what others think, maybe I just realized I need to live the life that makes me happy or maybe it occurred around the time my profession became my career but somewhere along the way I discovered myself.

I have fun, I laugh, I try to make others laugh. I’m there with a kind word or I just listen when others need to talk. I set an example for my son and I’m always available and supportive for my spouse. I no longer care or worry what others are doing, in fact I would rather not be around most people as I relish opportunities to be alone with my thoughts outside doing things I love. I don’t know if this makes me different but it’s what I discovered about myself and it was the greatest find of my life

as always Peace and Love….

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