When it came time to apply for colleges, she wanted to specialize in interior design or fashion design. Much to her dismay, her father said; “no daughter of mine is going to school in New York City…You can’t make a living designing clothes. Who’s going to hire an interior designer?”
And so, this girl decided to be a rebel – at least as much of one as she could get away with and majored in Retail Management. But she wasn’t sure she wanted to work in retail for her entire life and decided to broaden her field of study to business management with a concentration in personnel.
During her early school years, she discovered her first diary. Writing in her diary gave her a safe place to spew out her inner fears, worries, triumphs, and failures. She continued this practice during her college years and as she ventured into the working world.
She soon realized adulting was a full-time job and put away her diaries. But before long she once again started writing. This time, instead of jotting down thoughts and ideas in a journal, she tried her hand at creating a story. She cherished storytelling and it wasn’t long before it dawned on this girl that she’d been telling her story her entire life.
One day a friend invited her to learn the art of stained glass. She loved designing her pieces and working with a multitude of glass textures and colors. She enjoyed it so much that she tried her hand at running her own stained glass business, got a few sales, but reached the conclusion this wasn’t something she wanted to do full-time.
The years flew by, and still, she wrote. It was a creative outlet, something she kept bringing back into her life. That’s when she finally understood her passions always revolved around the arts. Then one day her first story went out into the world. It was thrilling, humbling, and a bit scary knowing that others would read her words.
Do I still wish I could’ve made a profession from being a singer? Yes, but that doesn’t mean I have to give it up. I sing daily; in the car, making dinner, the times I’m stuck on my work in process, and in the shower - cause doesn't everyone sing in the shower? I sometimes wonder what it would’ve been like to be a fashion designer or interior designer. But, if I chose even one different path, I wouldn’t be where I am now or have the family and friends I cherish.
Living each day means making choices. Each turn we make leads us on our life’s journey. Choose wisely and embrace the threads that make up the tapestry of your life.
Until next time...
Joanne
Beautifully written! This girl also had singing and interior design on her list of wannabes, but alas, floral design and administrative work were my threads. Isn't that the truth? We need to be reminded to embrace our threads. Thank you for the shot in the arm. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Grace. We are birds of a feather. During my Retail Management years my dissertation was a floral design/retail shop.
DeleteI, too, wanted to be a singer and my parents had the same response as your father. Funny how if you're born with a creative streak, it manifests into something eventually. Btw, your stained glass is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteI think we're too presistent at heart. :) Thank you, Kristine.
DeleteLoved this story, Joanne! It seems many of us have similar stories of roadblocks along our journey to publishing.
ReplyDeleteI think you're correct, Jaquolyn. That's what gives us fodder for our stories. ;)
DeleteAlto or soprano? Choral or showtunes or motown or hard rock? What's your best solo? INQUIRING MINDS MUST KNOW!
ReplyDeleteI was going to ask the same thing, Ruth!
DeleteI was pretty versatile. I sang 1st and 2nd soprano and sometimes first alto in chorus. In my quartet I sang lead. Musicals it depended on what character. My senior year I was the female lead in Oklahoma - not my favorite musical, but it was the highlight. ---Haha...I'd have to give the solo-thing some thought. --Thanks for the memories...
Delete