Never underestimate the ability of a small group of committed individuals to change the world. ~ Margaret Mead

Smart lady.  Become empowered. Make a difference.

That’s when I feel most alive, when I’m helping people. ~Paul Farmer

I’m not one to believe in the clean slate philosophy of the new year.  Just because one day marks the start of a new calendar year, suddenly everyone becomes more virtuous or health conscious, or suddenly tackles that project that’s been on the back burner since June.  Disclaimer: I fully admit I sometimes need a swift kick in the butt to get myself to take that leap from simply making a decision to taking charge and actually achieving what I set out in my mind; and often this requires something like New Year’s Eve, or an actual deadline held to which I’m held accountable by others, say like my thesis advisors…  However, more often than not, those resolutions confidently made on January 1st often fall to the wayside come February 1st, like many other goals set at otherwise ordinary times of the year.  This may be my slightly cynical side of myself shining through (I usually take the more positive, upbeat, sunshine-y side of things)…

However, this year marks a new transition for me.  I will be graduating with my Maser’s in Public Health, and while this will not happen until May (if all goes well…thesis, I’m looking at you.), this year holds a certain promise of the impending surprise of not knowing exactly what comes next.  I’ve been in school almost continuously since I was 4 (aside from that gap year I took after college when I tried my hand at the whole 9-5 deal).  I’m ready to jump into reality again, but I’m still searching for my niche.  I’m excited for what’s to come, looking forward to the new adventure and what new (or familiar) city I’ll come to reside in.  New friends, new colleagues, new job, new apartment, no homework or exams or papers.  Yet at the same time, no more spring break, or fall break, no more grad school mixers, free food/coffee, more goodbyes, packing tape and moving boxes.  Gulp.  It’s thrilling but scary.  Did I mention I’ve also got a certain birthday coming my way (the big 2-5), oh, about a week after graduation.  Yep, lots going on in the early months of this year.  Which has gotten me thinking about what exactly I want to do next.  I know I want a job, and I have this incredible degree, but I’m not quite sure how to use it in a way that fits me, fulfills my endless curiosity and instills a passionate fervor within.  

I know what I love: travel, exploring new places, people, foods, culture.  But this sounds so ordinary for something that is quite extraordinary: everyone (ok, MOST people) say they love to travel, which makes it such a ubiquitous, mundane statement, yet it’s really incredible because no matter how many people say they LOVE London, I know no one has experienced this city quite the way I have.  Or any other city I’ve been to for that matter.  So, I do know I want to travel, but obviously this can’t be some sort of career (if someone finds a way to travel and still make money  (without becoming some sort of international call-girl, hit me up.  I’m interested and would love to hear more), realistically speaking.  Part of the reason I went into public health was because I wanted to not just visit new parts of the world, but to truly experience new cultures.  To give something to the places I visited, help to improve them through helping their community’s health, in exchange for new experiences and treasured memories.  I’d like to pursue work that would allow this, but I’m not sure the best way to proceed.  

All this to say I’ve got some work to do.  Research, endless hours perusing the Internet for some ideal job, countless lists and spreadsheets.  Yep, color coded by city (or industry..?), with columns for places I’ve applied to, ones I’ve not gotten to quite yet and those for when I’m desperate (I’m not going to be pessimistic and say this will happen, but damn this economy…)  So, this rambling post which started out with a focused theme has now progressed to an outpouring of my disjointed thoughts…, but I just want to state somewhere, that my goal, what I’m hoping to achieve this year, is to find my drive, the passion that I want to pursue.  While this may not be achieved in whatever job I find myself in come May, I hope that I’ll at least be in some sort of position that will act as a stepping stone to my calling in life (as cliched as that sounds).  I’m not expecting miracles, or rainbows and that everything will fall into place, exactly as I’ve always hoped, but I do think my resolution to pursue meaningful work (to me) will help me achieve my more personal ambitions to live a life with grace, compassion, patience and integrity.  Cheers to a new year.