Okay…
Ever have one of those days that makes you feel like your life is on the verge of changing forever? That something wonderful has been deliciously crafted to help your dream become your real life? Things… wonderful things, have been in the works without my knowing… until yesterday that is.
I’ve been kinda disillusioned about my job (or line of work) for a while now… I keep asking myself, “How am I helping people?” As a graphic designer, I don’t feel that I help anyone… not directly anyway. In no hands-on way do I help anyone… and I mean really help anyone. In my ideal little world, if I continued to be a graphic designer my entire life I would somehow be financially self-sufficient and I would do graphic design for free for nonprofit organizations, small companies that need strong design work but cannot afford it, or something of the sort… I like being a designer. And I’m good at it. However, the more I do it the less I feel like I’m Contributing.
Right now, I’m working at a job that I’m not hugely fond of to provide for my family… “taking one for team.” As of yesterday, within a year from now, I’m not sure if I’ll be a full-time graphic designer anymore. If I can manage it, I’ll likely be still working here part-time but supplimenting my income by doing something for more amazing…
I’ll be training and teaching Parkour. I’ll be training and teaching Parkour… in a program that uses Parkour as a physical disipline to help troubled youth. I’d be helping troubled youth who are at risk of failing out of school or on the verge of getting expelled get their lives back on track.
Could you imagine?
I’ll have more time to write/post about it later… I just had to post something while the life-buzz is still hummin’.
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steelie
Well, the change seems to be going in the direction that you're satisfied with. Remember always to do what makes you happy and that makes you feel fulfilled.I can't say that for myself, because since about half a year now I've got a dream of my own, but the way to achieve that dream is still so far away and I have no idea how I'm going to get there….. 🙁
Wow, this sounds like a great opportunity. I hope it all works out for you. Keep us updated!
It's hard to stay passionate about your passion when it's something you have to do to earn a living.
That's great about the teaching/training!
Steelie, this sounds like the perfect thing for you! I expect you will be a natural role model for teens and your aptitude for teaching will do you well too. I know exactly what you mean about making a difference, about feeling like you're contributing to something Valuable, something Meaningful. Purpose behind the paycheque. Oh, I so hope this works out and I can't wait to hear more!But if nothing else, you know that being a dad is pretty damn Important too… (and you sure are good at it!)
I miss you Steelie…I had no idea you had plans to do this. Amazing idea for an amazing person.
Elellanyar Rilmavilyawa: This dream is exactly where I would like to be… but it may still be a while until it becomes a reality… at least for me anyway. I’ve (since posting this) started to look into working part-time at my work and doing the parkour as well… unfortubnately it doesn’t seem like it’s going to be a quick transition… I may be a couple years off still. I want it though… I’m determined to make it happen. The problem right now is (from what I’ve gathered so far) I wouldn’t make enough money doing it to replace my entire income as a designer. We shall see…Jen: Thanks. I fully plan on keeping you all up-to-date… it almost feels too good to be true, that something like this should fall in my lap(ish)…Baloo: Believe me… I know. I love graphic design but I feel like I’ve had all the creativity sucked out of me over the last four years… I can be rough. Thanks!semblance: I actually have some lyrics from Cold Play’s song “Clocks” running through my head almost daily: “…am I a part of the cure, or am I part of the disease…” I
really (with all my being) want to be part of the cure… it feel like this could be a start… professionally that is. You are SOOOOOO right about being a dad (and thanks BTW). *hugs*Julé: I miss you too babe… I had no real “plans” to do this, really… I’ve always thought it would be amazing to be able to make a living doing Parkour like some people. But, really, all the credit goes to Glenn (founder of Parkour Halifax) for setting this in motion. He said he plans to have all members of the core team making a living doing PK… He is a good person.