About this same time last year, I was going through a rough spell, and after an extended period of thought and prayer, I decided to take a leap of faith. Thus began my Grad School journey. It was something I felt in my heart was the right thing to do, but at the same time, incredibly frightening. Here I was, a woman of a certain age, about to spend a boatload of money to train myself and embrace a new career path, with no guarantee I would be successful.
Right around this same time, I discovered a movie that really spoke to me, as the main character was undertaking a similar journey. The movie is "Larry Crowne", directed by and starring Tom Hanks. And I've watched it countless times since. It takes place during the recent recession and is about a guy of a certain age who gets laid off from his job. He's had a pretty secure, but over-extended lifestyle. A gas guzzling car he can no longer afford, and a home that's worth less than he owes. In the process, he decides to go back to school. In order to stay in school, he drastically downsizes. He trades in his gas guzzling suv for a scooter, and his home for a tiny apartment. Because of his previous experience as a culinary specialist in the navy, he gets a job slinging hash in a diner. He finds a group of friends who provide him with new found confidence, and he keeps putting one foot in front of the other.
The reason this movie grabs me so much, is that recently I have gone through similar experiences as a result of my efforts to go back to school. In the last 6 weeks or so, my job has become anything but secure. In the middle of all this, my gas guzzling suv (which was thankfully paid off years ago) went on the fritz, and I was forced to downsize into a more economical small sedan. Gratefully I still have my home, and am in no danger of losing it. But all my savings is going towards my tuition, so I really don't have much of a safety net, especially now that I have a car payment. So - needless to say, I can very much relate to Larry Crowne. My self-confidence has taken a major hit, and it has been easy to get discouraged. But inspired by Larry Crowne, and my faith in the gospel, I keep moving forward.
I've kept up with my studies. I've been reaching out to trusted friends and ward members for suggestions, and my family has been so helpful, especially with the car situation. I've been attending the temple more regularly and seeking inspiration from the scriptures and church leaders more intently. I've been praying for the guidance of the Holy Ghost and looking for miracles each day. It's definitely frightening, but I try to remind myself that fear and anxiety are not fruits of the spirit.
I have no idea when these difficulties will end. Of course it would be my preference that everything resolves itself by tomorrow, but that's unrealistic. In the meantime, I keep following and trusting the process. And I definitely keep watching "Larry Crowne".
Right around this same time, I discovered a movie that really spoke to me, as the main character was undertaking a similar journey. The movie is "Larry Crowne", directed by and starring Tom Hanks. And I've watched it countless times since. It takes place during the recent recession and is about a guy of a certain age who gets laid off from his job. He's had a pretty secure, but over-extended lifestyle. A gas guzzling car he can no longer afford, and a home that's worth less than he owes. In the process, he decides to go back to school. In order to stay in school, he drastically downsizes. He trades in his gas guzzling suv for a scooter, and his home for a tiny apartment. Because of his previous experience as a culinary specialist in the navy, he gets a job slinging hash in a diner. He finds a group of friends who provide him with new found confidence, and he keeps putting one foot in front of the other.
The reason this movie grabs me so much, is that recently I have gone through similar experiences as a result of my efforts to go back to school. In the last 6 weeks or so, my job has become anything but secure. In the middle of all this, my gas guzzling suv (which was thankfully paid off years ago) went on the fritz, and I was forced to downsize into a more economical small sedan. Gratefully I still have my home, and am in no danger of losing it. But all my savings is going towards my tuition, so I really don't have much of a safety net, especially now that I have a car payment. So - needless to say, I can very much relate to Larry Crowne. My self-confidence has taken a major hit, and it has been easy to get discouraged. But inspired by Larry Crowne, and my faith in the gospel, I keep moving forward.
I've kept up with my studies. I've been reaching out to trusted friends and ward members for suggestions, and my family has been so helpful, especially with the car situation. I've been attending the temple more regularly and seeking inspiration from the scriptures and church leaders more intently. I've been praying for the guidance of the Holy Ghost and looking for miracles each day. It's definitely frightening, but I try to remind myself that fear and anxiety are not fruits of the spirit.
I have no idea when these difficulties will end. Of course it would be my preference that everything resolves itself by tomorrow, but that's unrealistic. In the meantime, I keep following and trusting the process. And I definitely keep watching "Larry Crowne".
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