Conference turris::womannotes-v2

275.0. "Life changes (ultimate goals)" by HSSWS1::GREG (Malice Aforethought) Sat Nov 05 1988 00:44

    
    	   How many of you can state with any certainty what you
    	feel is your ultimate purpose in life?  Has it always
    	been the same?
    
    	    Mine has changed several times since I began plotting
    	my future, lo these many years ago.  In high school I had
    	no idea what I wanted to do.  I tended to do well in math
    	science and art (a rather unlikely combination), and was
    	somewhat less stellar in my languages (English and Spanish)
    	and social studies.
    
    	   So I started college studying EE (Electronics Engineering).
    	That lasted about a year, then I got tired of the math.  When
    	that happened I decided to change majors.  I went into Computer
    	Science and found I had a knack for programming.  At that
    	point in time I was absolutely certain that my raison d'etre
    	was to solve the world's programming problems, and to do it
    	with style.
    
    	   That's when I decided I had to leave Tennessee to make
    	a life of my own, far from the madding parents.  So I came
    	to Houston, broke but hopeful.  I found a job in short order
    	and did well for two years.  Then I got the itch again.
    
    	   I traded in my application programmer title for a system
    	programmer title (though the work was much more system
    	management oriented).  After cruising along for two years
    	I was officially named the system manager, and I dropped
    	my programming ways completely.  I used to write some
    	incredible programs... now the thought of working on a
    	large program fills me with inertia.  At that point in time
    	I was absolutely convinced that my real and true purpose
    	in life was to manage systems and keep them running at
    	top speed.
    
    	   So for a few more years I played system manager, and really
    	enjoyed it.  I was given respect, a fine salary, and an 
    	office of my own.  But somehow, that just wasn't enough.
    
    	    So I made another change.  I came to Digital.  I thought
    	it would be good to expand my skillset and learn some
    	marketing techniques and communications skills.  Things
    	were going along pretty much as planned...
    
    	   Then I discovered Notes.  A whole world of people out there,
    	and each of them with something to say.  What a concept.
    	That's when I discovered the Prose conference, and decided
    	to try an entry or two and see where it got me.  After a
    	while I seemed to become the dominant force of the 
    	conference, submitting 3 or 4 stories a week (which I
    	later deleted for copyright reasons).
    
    	   Anyway, one thing led to another and I started sending
    	the stories out for publication.  Two of them made it to
    	print, but I have yet to get paid for anything I've
    	written.  And yet, I now feel that my real and true and 
    	ultimate purpose is now to become a writer.  I have
    	started a few novels, though only one is anywhere near
    	completion.  Anyway, as a general rule I'll have to sell
    	a few short stories befone anyone will even consider my
    	book(s).
    
    	   So I look back on all this and the irony strikes me...
    	I never have known what I really wanted to do.  Instead,
    	I have always made whatever I'm doing the ultimate thing
    	for me to be doing.  During the transition periods (such
    	as now), I devote equal attention to both goals, then
    	decide which I like better and go for it.
    
    	   So, for me at least, there seems to be no ultimate
    	purpose in life, except perhaps that embodied in this
    	axiom:
    
    		"Do whatever you want, and do it to the best
    		of your abilities."
    
    	   And if perchance you should see one of my books on the
    	bargain table, you will know not to expect an endless
    	stream of titles from me.  I'm bound to change my goals
    	again after I succeed as a writer.  Maybe then I'll try
    	to sell some of my paintings...
    
    	- Greg
    

    
    No, I can't honestly say what my ultimate purpose in life is.
    
    Maybe its to needle notesfile moderators with inflammatory 
    verbiage occaisionally (varying with the year, since distictions 
    are being drawn between different vintages of my replies)...
    
    When I find such a purpose, I'll announce it here...

    my purpose in life is to create.  It's open ended, but it's the
    best description I have.
    
    -Jody
    

    My purpose in life is to communicate--to build bridges and roads
    where there are fences, walls, and canyons.  It is a never ending
    pursuit that leads to wonderful, unexpected places.  To this end,
    I occasionally do seminars for groups around the Salt Lake area,
    especially battered women and displaced homemakers groups.  I also
    do some career counseling.
    
    I have had people I don't even know, come up to me and tell me that
    I've helped them to change their lives for the better.  The feeling
    that I'm doing some good in my life is beyond anything I have ever
    experienced--just to know that my life hasn't been without purpose.
    
    Barb

    My goal in life is to be able to....

        listen and learn from others
        teach others
        help others in need
            and to be happy and loved.


    If I impact someone life in a positive manner, I will be happy.  No
    matter how small the impact.

    [ I know "impact" is a strong word, but I can't think of a better word
     right now ]
      
    - Lory_Who_Tends_To_Be_Idealistic

    Reading .0 was like opening a biography, I too never knew what I
    wanted to do in High School and because I was good in the Sciences
    I also chose to go the EE (Eletrical Engineering) Route....But it
    did not take a year to figure I hated the Math, it took only 3 months,
    so I started into the workforce, took small part time jobs here
    and there, then was offered a perm job by H&R Block, so here it
    was I thought numbers and taxes was what I loved, I had been putting
    in part time work with H&R for about 4 years and made the decision
    to be the best tax preparer. well Then I deceided that it wasn't
    what I wanted to do and moved on to a temp company, now being an
    administrative assistant/receptionist in different companies began
    to appeal to me, working in banks and development companies was
    exciting, then I came to DEC to fill a job as receptionist, I loved
    it, maybe it is not the most glamorous job, but it was fun...greeting
    and meeting all kinds of people, esp. salespeople.....then I went
    on to an administrative position and have been here as a perm DEC
    employee for almost two years, and now I want to get into a technical
    field service type job, I have discovered I like crawling under
    desks and hooking things up and putting things together, although
    I am sure that is not all that goes on in a technical job, but I
    really love the 'action' and flexibility to move about..
    
    Guess I am trying to say that I too cannot exactly say what my goal
    is, just to be good or the best I can be in whatever I choose to
    do....Gawd, is it really that simple ????????