Do you have a talent or interest that has always been there, one that you never paid any real attention to, but now you unexpectedly have a deep love for it? I have and it’s a trip.
Life has a funny way of revealing to you who you truly are. Just when you think you have it all figured out, stuff breaks and you have to put the pieces all back together again. And as you rebuild, parts of you will look like they haven’t before. As I’ve aged and especially since I’ve entered my 30s, I realize that what we think we are destined for early in life is often far from reality… or should I say destiny. We don’t pursue ideal outcomes because they are unfamiliar, underrated or unattainable.
I talked about my story here briefly, but every time I think about the details that were not mentioned, I can’t help but smile. I regret that it took this long, but as with every other major development in my life, I’m always late so why would this be any different? I’m rolling with it.
Apparently, the blueprint to my “best life” has been laid out on the table for some time, but I failed to see it. It all started at about 5 or 6 years old when I begun acting. Yes, acting as in on a stage – having rehearsed lines. I was good y’all… Like really good. I’ve been acting and writing plays all my life. Of equal importance is my knack for language and communication. I’ve always naturally grasped the mechanics and grammar involved in language arts, so much so that I elected to study Spanish all through secondary school even though it is only mandatory for 3 years. And the part that took the longest to come full circle is this: In senior high they kinda give us the option to try out the industry we think we would like. I chose Accounting. Why? Family tradition more or less, and because I was good at math. My best and highest scoring subjects in my major were Information Technology (Computer Science), Principles of Business, and Office Procedures. Are you seeing a theme yet? I didn’t. I just saw them as grades. I didn’t think for one moment that those grades could be linked to my destiny. Anyway, when secondary school was over, I concluded that Accounting was not for me and I jetted off into the unknown world of Human Services. So for the past 16 years that is the industry I have studied and toiled in. I love it, but… it’s never been enough, you know?
So now here I am, a business owner, a content creator, digital marketer, copy editor, life coach and voice actor, and it all kinda just happened – step by step, revelation after revelation. I built my own websites, I design my own graphics, I write all my content and content for other people, etc. etc. I never planned this.
The point I’m making is that I’ve always been a creator. But I marched out of high school in a completely different direction. I’ve always been great with computers and technology, but I never saw how that would help me build my future. I aced Principles of Business, but again I ran in the opposite direction of that calling too!
I’ll never say that I should not have studied Social Work because had I gone on to pursue business without it, a huge chunk of this business would be missing. It all happened in the best order it could have. I consider all the events leading up to today as divine order; but look how far I had to reach and how many turns I had to make in the maze, before I got to the cheese! (Check out our Grab Bar for the book “Who Stole My Cheese” if you haven’t already read it. It is a must read!)
So in conclusion, we’re gonna scurry like Hem and Haw (read the book and you’ll know who I’m talking about), but it’s not for nothing. The unexpected, “surprise surprise” elements are what keep life interesting. And when you take time to explore paths you thought were unchartered, you’ll realize it was meant to be all along. Don’t be afraid of it, be ready for it. Know that plans change, and they should.
Trust me. As soon as you think you’ve figured it out, get ready! The unexpected is coming!
Intentionally Yours,
Juanita Michelle
LMSW | Personal Mastery Coach | Lifestyle Blogger
Be Bold. Be Free. Be You. Period.