I was a licensed real estate agent in the state of Texas for over 16 years. And it took me over 180 real classroom hours to sit for the licensing exam. I only have 66 hours of college credits to my name, but I have the equivalent of a bachelors degree in real estate.
I have worked for real estate attorneys and title companies, bankers and political campaigns. Every single endeavor and every job I ever had helped prepare me for a lifelong career in real estate. With 16 years years in the business, real estate is the longest career I have ever held in my life. Everything has prepared me for where I am now. Nothing was wasted.
When later in life, I went to school full time, I was like a sponge and took only classes that interested me. I took literature and writing classes, art classes and design, pottery and painting. I took psycology, philosophy and art history. For two years I took everything I could that would quench my thirst for the liberal arts.
I was a 4.0 student and inducted into the Junior College Honor Society.
But, My last semester I was taking an art history class. I then had a son who was 2 years old and he broke out with chickepox after the drop deadline. I was forced to stay home for 2 weeks with him while he recovered and I failed the one class that I was super super good at. I took an F. It humiliated me and I never went back.
That was 1986. And, just a few short years later, in 1991, I was to become a docent at the Fort Worth Musuem of Modern Art. Much of what I learned in my docent classes about art, I had already learned in my art history classes I had taken and failed because I had to drop out. My point is, learning is never wasted even when things turn out differently than you planned.
When I studied for my real estate license, I was allowed 63 hours credit for any college hours I had taken. The Texas Real Estate Commission would credit me up to 63 college credit hours. With those college hours that would be 63 real estate elective hours I would not have to take toward my exam. I had a total of 66 college hours so almost every single hour I had taken in college was credited toward my real estate license! Even though I never graduated with a degree.
Nothing is ever wasted!
When I was in high school, in 1974, typing class was mandatory. Do you know, when I left home and started looking for jobs, that one typing classes enabled me to make a living for over a decade. Yup! And in my later years, I have taken to writing. I write this blog. I am working on a anthology. I have several things I want published. I had that one typing class in high school to thank for giving me the tools to write, which has become a passion!
Nothing is ever wasted!
My mother was an artist, so naturally I think some of my artistic talents may be genetic. Since I started painting in college, I haven’t really stopped. I’ve done a series of abstract hearts for 30 + years. Were all those college hours in drawing class wasted? I doubt it, in my retirement, I plan to set up a studio and paint and draw every day. It might even generate additional income in my later years.
Nothing is ever wasted!
I also competed in the show ring as a teenager, riding hunters and jumpers. Was that time wasted? I think not. In my 50’s I acquired a show dog. Not that I sought out a show dog, but in order to get a bonafied healthy animal that had been through genetic testing, I agreed to a show contract. While I may have been a hot mess in the show ring the first year, while I was learning, I was never uncomfortable. I was comfortable being in the spotlight and performing before a judge. I was calm as a cucumber.
Nothing is ever wasted!
In high school I also competed in gymnastics. I was in love with kinetic learning and what the body was capable of. Was that time wasted doing back flips and cartwheels? I think not. After my children were born, I sought out physical exercise that would move and stretch my body, but calm it at the same time. I discovered Yoga when my youngest started college. It resonated with me because of my gymnastic training. And, yoga has saved my life. I’ve had multiple back injuries and yoga enables me to live and move without pain.
In high school I also competed in gymnastics. I was in love with kinetic learning and what the body was capable of. Was that time wasted doing back flips and cartwheels? I think not. After my children were born, I sought out physical exercise that would move and stretch my body, but calm it at the same time. I discovered Yoga when my youngest started college. It resonated with me because of my gymnastic training. And, yoga has saved my life. I’ve had multiple back injuries and yoga enables me to live and move without pain.
I was also a competitive swimmer, though not a good one, growing up. Breathing was hard for me. But, when I quit smoking after 17 years, I needed a sport that would heal my lungs. I started swimming. Having to gasp for air helped to heal my lungs from smoking that nothing else could have done. After smoking two packs a days for so long, most would have COPD. Not me, I used my swimming to give my lungs what they needed to heal.
Nothing is ever wasted!
Bringinthesheaves 