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Post by GoBigRed203 on Mar 29, 2024 17:00:43 GMT -5
Let me preface this by saying I ask this because I respect all of you. I don't participate/post often and don't read all the things that you all have to say, but I try to at least contribute in ways that I can to the board and in all, I can still say that I enjoy being part of our small little community of oddballs and whatnot.
With all that said, I'm seeking some support. I've never played competitively past freshman baseball in high school besides four years of high school bowling. With the bowling, team accolades never came, a few individual awards did. Then I went to college and I felt like I lost myself a bit. Dropped out of college and felt like a bit of a failure through it all, honestly. I think I pushed myself into a direction that I thought would be lucrative rather than thinking about what I think I would enjoy. Through faith and a little help from my family, I was able to piece my life back together and established a stable job working in the pricing department of a grocery store. I'm in my early 30s right now and after watching many different sports for all this time, I've found myself here at a bit of a crossroads. I like what I do, I think I'm good at what I do, but, I feel life is wanting to steer me in another direction. Seeing sports teams, watching all this basketball, all this football, and of course all this baseball, it makes me yearn to be a part of it, a part of something special.
Why am I saying all this? I guess what I'm trying to say is that I feel like I missed out and now, I want to try to make up for that. I've started getting more involved at church and have built a small community there. It's a start. I'm married (my wife and I have been married for 9 months now). And a lot of days, she's all the company I need. My current job, while I am there interacting with people, a lot of it is spent in the back offices, away from all these people. And so, now I'm starting to re-evaluate things. Is school back in the picture? Do I know exactly what I would want to get involved with? I'm still trying to hash that out I think. I am grateful for what I have now and hope & pray that I do go out there and find that opportunity, somewhere.
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Post by bigdawgs on Mar 29, 2024 17:08:44 GMT -5
I wish you all the best Big Red. You need to enjoy what you are doing and if that means trying a different route, then go for it. People can give you recommendations, but only you and your family can make this decision. If you have time to do things with your church or any sort of volunteering, that is great too. Good luck to you in what ever you decide to do.
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Post by athens on Mar 29, 2024 19:59:59 GMT -5
Agree with BD. Life is full of different journeys. I will say that having a strong church family has been very important and beneficial to my wife and I. Best of luck with finding the path that fits you.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Mar 30, 2024 9:15:58 GMT -5
I was a Freshman at UCLA in the Fall of 1984. I graduated from Oregon State in 2011. Life happens and there are an infinite number of paths to get to where you want to be. Good luck with whichever one you choose.
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Post by NCBulldawg on Mar 30, 2024 10:14:19 GMT -5
GBR...I hit my low point in life in my later 30's when I had moved to Montana to get out of the production business.
When I floundered and flailed up there, I hit the lowest point of why life where I questioned if life was even worth living.
Yes, I hated where I had allowed myself to get, and felt lost. I really questioned who I was, how I was representing myself, the family, and hated where I was as a person, as a man.
Got to a point where I had a bunch of friends drive by, pick me up, tossed me in a VW van, and took me to see a hippie jam band (String Cheese Incident out of Colorado), which for some reason, some how, lit a fire under me afterward, and got myself together, left Montana, a place which I truly love and where my heart is still today, as I had to get back to work and work in a field I know which I could make a living at.
So, I moved to NC, allowed myself to work for another person using his gear while I established myself as a Video Assist Op, and soon getting to a point where I could invest several tens of thousands of dollars on gear, and try my hand at what I still do for a living today.
I was in my early 40's when the transition happened, and am so thankful I got myself out of where I was as I doubt I would be here today if I didn't make changes to make myself happier.
You are young enough, and more than capable to step out and try another avenue so you can live your life, day to day happier, as that will make the most difference in your young life. I am living proof it can be done at a later age.
I wish you all the best, thank you for sharing your story and reaching out, and know we are always here if you need an ear.
God bless, and a happy Easter to you! You got this!!
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Post by destinnevadafan on Mar 31, 2024 16:42:44 GMT -5
Let me preface this by saying I ask this because I respect all of you. I don't participate/post often and don't read all the things that you all have to say, but I try to at least contribute in ways that I can to the board and in all, I can still say that I enjoy being part of our small little community of oddballs and whatnot. With all that said, I'm seeking some support. I've never played competitively past freshman baseball in high school besides four years of high school bowling. With the bowling, team accolades never came, a few individual awards did. Then I went to college and I felt like I lost myself a bit. Dropped out of college and felt like a bit of a failure through it all, honestly. I think I pushed myself into a direction that I thought would be lucrative rather than thinking about what I think I would enjoy. Through faith and a little help from my family, I was able to piece my life back together and established a stable job working in the pricing department of a grocery store. I'm in my early 30s right now and after watching many different sports for all this time, I've found myself here at a bit of a crossroads. I like what I do, I think I'm good at what I do, but, I feel life is wanting to steer me in another direction. Seeing sports teams, watching all this basketball, all this football, and of course all this baseball, it makes me yearn to be a part of it, a part of something special. Why am I saying all this? I guess what I'm trying to say is that I feel like I missed out and now, I want to try to make up for that. I've started getting more involved at church and have built a small community there. It's a start. I'm married (my wife and I have been married for 9 months now). And a lot of days, she's all the company I need. My current job, while I am there interacting with people, a lot of it is spent in the back offices, away from all these people. And so, now I'm starting to re-evaluate things. Is school back in the picture? Do I know exactly what I would want to get involved with? I'm still trying to hash that out I think. I am grateful for what I have now and hope & pray that I do go out there and find that opportunity, somewhere. As a life long opponent of yours (Sooners since 1966)I would recommend you take on the attitude of your old Huskers. You guys were known for taking walkons and turning them into stars. Your a 'walkon' now....
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Post by geauxtigerfan on Apr 1, 2024 13:52:15 GMT -5
To me BigRed, it is God, Family and the rest of life.
It seems you are working toward the God part of life. It seems that you are working on the family part of life. A good wife - with children to come - will bring you the joy of life. Being able to raise children is an extension of life. As you grow older - one is able to sit back and watch the beauty of life.
But there is a financial side to life. Money is not everything, but one needs to have financial security. Enough to provide the basic things that we need.
But my question, what does the enjoyment of watching sporting events have to do with the direction of your life? Sports are important to us on this sports forum but for me the enjoyment comes from the interaction between the members of this forum. It is like a brotherhood and sisterhood between us - the enjoyment of discussing sports, our lives and even politics. And as we travel - sometimes meeting the people we have met on this forum.
Follow your heart. Enjoy life. Hope you find the end of the rainbow.
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Post by USCGamecocks on Apr 1, 2024 19:38:54 GMT -5
I wish you all the best GBR. A book that might be relevant to you (and really helped me along my unconventional path): Dark Horse by Ogi Ogas and Todd Rose. I’ve really had three difficult periods in my life and each, despite being personally challenging and sometimes emotionally traumatic, gave me the drive and courage to fundamentally evaluate and alter the course of my life. Change is hard and scary but it’s also rewarding.
I have experience in leaving the corporate machine behind and striking out on my own chasing better satisfaction and fulfillment so if I can help or if you want to bounce ideas off me feel free to DM me.
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Post by tophb21 on Apr 2, 2024 11:09:01 GMT -5
GBR, your courage to step out and share your situation is admirable. As others have pointed out, life is full of interesting, sometimes painful, and yet other times truly enjoyable twists and turns. Everyone’s journey is truly unique, but what I’ve learned through my own is that none of us get to where we want to be completely on our own. Working hard, having grit and determination will certainly get you part way or sometimes most of the distance to where you aspire to be, however there will be relationships that you will find provide support, encouragement, and sometimes even open doors that you may never anticipate. My advice is to find your circle (which it sounds like you’re doing), lean on them, be present and open to new opportunities and try to enjoy the journey. We’re all here for you.
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Vespula
Senator
"Panzerkönigin"
Posts: 3,814
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Post by Vespula on Apr 2, 2024 21:57:29 GMT -5
I encourage you to challenge yourself to achieve things beyond what others expect! I was 34 when I left a successful career as a process engineer with a Swiss machinery company. I took a 67% salary cut to become a graduate student, first at Georgia Tech, then at Clemson. I got my Masters in 14 months, and four years later I had a PhD, despite having to teach labs, work a US Marines/NASA research project for a professor, and pick up a job as a magazine writer for a trade journal. I was 39 when I finally finished, and it took a lot out of me, but having faith in God and keeping a determination to add back more than I took got me through. I will not lie to you, there will be family stresses, physical exhaustion, times of low spirits, anxiety, and maybe even depression, but push on and keep focused on your goal. As we say in reaffirming our baptismal rites in the Episcopal church:
Celebrant Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself? People I will, with God's help. Celebrant Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being? People I will, with God's help.
In all you do, Red, make these things your ultimate goal. Will you succeed? You will with God's help.
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Post by Elapid on Apr 5, 2024 16:29:51 GMT -5
And everybody's lucky we don't know what a different choice would do.
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