Lesson
I found myself sitting across from one of my favorite professors, and a total stranger. I've never had to interview for a class, until now. So here I was...after my internship and nearly three hours at the health clinic; here I sat, my head feeling like a rock, my eyelids heavy and my thoughts running on the fuel of a cheese stick and a mini Snickers bar.
I actually had to refrain from laughing when the interviewer asked how I handled stress. If I had a video montage of the week thus far to show them they'd be laughing too. Running all over the place, going to work, going to class, I got an email Monday from a professor telling us we had a test that week (and apologizing for forgetting), I had a paper due that I wrote in twenty minutes the night before, life was, and is, on fast forward.
So instead of busting up in a fashion typical of a deliriously sleepy person I instead smirked, answered that I handle stress well and briefly described my schedule this semester. Which was met with a "wow," and "impressive" and she scribbled notes down on her lined yellow pad. Surprisingly this interview was going well despite the fact that I was trying to think over my heart beating in my head.
"Given an option, which route would you rather go with, writing or art?"
Dang, I hate that question. That's like asking which would you rather do, inhale or exhale?
Anyway...I answered Art. I dream of being a creative director. Immersed in the advertising scene, plugged into campaigns, designing the face of the strategy. My experiences in my college's Graphic Design program were less than favorable. I found the method of teaching just short of deplorable. I was told by a professor that he "failed with me," because he was an abstractist and I a realist. The program was sink or swim with little teaching and learning in between. My Typography professor "didn't like my style" and flat out told me that I should change my major.
The learning (or lack thereof) method and the attitudes/atmosphere of that "school" drove me back to journalism...my other love. And it was the best move I ever made. So I straddle the fence between art and writing...determined to break into both and one day attain the title of Creative Director. Do I have a degree in graphic design? No. Do I need one? No. I know I have what it takes and that is good enough.
I spent just enough time in graphic design to understand how it works and then peaced out.
So here I am...trying to get into a class that involves making a real campaign, for an actual client. And the possibility of taking on the lead creative role that I desperately want to make my full time job.
It's okay that my experience at this university in graphic design wasn't good. It's okay that I had the wrong major for a full year because without those experiences I never would have found Advertising and Public Relations.
I like to think that trials, that the things that cause me the most pain; are the things that will reap the greatest rewards. The struggle of majors is long forgotten and now I struggle with a different kind of hurt.
I sit here and wonder what will come of the hurt and trials I experience now.
I was once told by someone...well, this..."If trials and difficulties make a person stronger, then you are going to be one hell of a strong person Elizabeth." But I've often debated...debated whether I'd trade ignorant bliss for my hard fought strength. But I was fearfully and wonderfully made, flaws and all, on purpose.
There is a passage in the Bible, Psalm 111:10 "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise."
So many people seek wisdom, want wisdom pray for wisdom. Fearing God is the first step to wisdom. But what I'm not sure everyone realizes is that it can't be handed to you. When you seek wisdom, you are seeking trials. When you seek bravery, you are seeking tests. When you ask for patience, you will be given opportunities to have your patience tested.
This doesn't mean that you shouldn't seek these things; these things shape a person's character. It may be a difficult week, or month or year but the point is that you can't see past what's happening. You don't know how God will tie things together. What is difficult today might be what makes tomorrow even better.
I actually had to refrain from laughing when the interviewer asked how I handled stress. If I had a video montage of the week thus far to show them they'd be laughing too. Running all over the place, going to work, going to class, I got an email Monday from a professor telling us we had a test that week (and apologizing for forgetting), I had a paper due that I wrote in twenty minutes the night before, life was, and is, on fast forward.
So instead of busting up in a fashion typical of a deliriously sleepy person I instead smirked, answered that I handle stress well and briefly described my schedule this semester. Which was met with a "wow," and "impressive" and she scribbled notes down on her lined yellow pad. Surprisingly this interview was going well despite the fact that I was trying to think over my heart beating in my head.
"Given an option, which route would you rather go with, writing or art?"
Dang, I hate that question. That's like asking which would you rather do, inhale or exhale?
Anyway...I answered Art. I dream of being a creative director. Immersed in the advertising scene, plugged into campaigns, designing the face of the strategy. My experiences in my college's Graphic Design program were less than favorable. I found the method of teaching just short of deplorable. I was told by a professor that he "failed with me," because he was an abstractist and I a realist. The program was sink or swim with little teaching and learning in between. My Typography professor "didn't like my style" and flat out told me that I should change my major.
The learning (or lack thereof) method and the attitudes/atmosphere of that "school" drove me back to journalism...my other love. And it was the best move I ever made. So I straddle the fence between art and writing...determined to break into both and one day attain the title of Creative Director. Do I have a degree in graphic design? No. Do I need one? No. I know I have what it takes and that is good enough.
I spent just enough time in graphic design to understand how it works and then peaced out.
So here I am...trying to get into a class that involves making a real campaign, for an actual client. And the possibility of taking on the lead creative role that I desperately want to make my full time job.
It's okay that my experience at this university in graphic design wasn't good. It's okay that I had the wrong major for a full year because without those experiences I never would have found Advertising and Public Relations.
I like to think that trials, that the things that cause me the most pain; are the things that will reap the greatest rewards. The struggle of majors is long forgotten and now I struggle with a different kind of hurt.
I sit here and wonder what will come of the hurt and trials I experience now.
I was once told by someone...well, this..."If trials and difficulties make a person stronger, then you are going to be one hell of a strong person Elizabeth." But I've often debated...debated whether I'd trade ignorant bliss for my hard fought strength. But I was fearfully and wonderfully made, flaws and all, on purpose.
There is a passage in the Bible, Psalm 111:10 "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise."
So many people seek wisdom, want wisdom pray for wisdom. Fearing God is the first step to wisdom. But what I'm not sure everyone realizes is that it can't be handed to you. When you seek wisdom, you are seeking trials. When you seek bravery, you are seeking tests. When you ask for patience, you will be given opportunities to have your patience tested.
This doesn't mean that you shouldn't seek these things; these things shape a person's character. It may be a difficult week, or month or year but the point is that you can't see past what's happening. You don't know how God will tie things together. What is difficult today might be what makes tomorrow even better.
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