“Good things come…

…to those who wait”.

It’s a total bull in my opinion. Maybe because I am not the patient type. I want things to happen when I want them and the way I want them, not a minute sooner (before I am ready!) or a minute later (what’s taking so long?!). You may say I have control issues! But really, haven’t you wondered how long you wait for wonderful things to happen in your life? Worse is the fact that most of the times you are waiting for normal everyday things to take their course and get to a point when you can act: paper work in offices takes forever, if it is through a civic office or a university you need to double or triple the time. Am I complaining? Sure, it has taken more than two weeks for some office worker to send three emails and process one online form and I’m still waiting for results! You bet I’m frustrated since I can’t act and can’t plan anything till I know the outcome. 

I am not good with waiting, not at all. I am the planner, the take action kind of person and to plan or act, I need sufficient data. When that data is not available, I feel confused and frustrated. I have tried to do things not related closely to whatever is taking time, doing indirect preparation and all of that but still after 2-3 weeks, I got to a point when I can’t wait any longer. 

All that to say, just a few days ago I was telling a friend that patience is a virtue!

Doing what you like!

A couple of months ago I decided to put my money where my mouth is (so to speak) and after years of claiming to be an Epicurean, actually apply those principles to my way of life. Since just seeking pleasure in everyday life was not increasing my overall happiness (something I have been doing for years), I made a major decision: I look for long term happiness in my bigger goals, career, education, where I live. I had been job searching for about a year (on and off) so I decided to apply to those positions that will make me happy in long term. This view made it clear to me that only research and academic jobs will contribute to my happiness. Teaching is something I genuinely enjoy and I love the challenge of planning and executing new projects. Therefore I came to one scary conclusion: no more applying to every job opening on the market! I’ll be honest and admit that it went against all my instincts, to limit myself to very few (and far between) openings that might pop up every couple of months or so. It is lowering my chances of employment pretty dramatically. However, after thinking about it for a couple of weeks, I came to understand that it is well worth it. Yes, I desperately need a job but I am not going to take detours and waste my time on something that won’t even make me happy. A paycheck is not worth my long term happiness or a wrong turn of career path.

I know I am taking a big risk but I am counting on big rewards too. Wish me luck!

Start slow!

Change comes from you not your surroundings. No one can force you to try new things or force you to stand still and frozen. Only you can bring change and newness to your life. Your surrounding plays a very small role. Start to change small things: Go for a hike, read a new book, go visit museums, go to theater or watch a new movie, make a short trip to somewhere new (even somewhere close that you never have been to), take up a new hobby or craft, learn a new language. Bring new energy into your life. Change starts slow and small but when it starts you can see the how this new energy is affecting your life.