A week of reflection

I have really enjoyed the reading and video assignments this week, I have been pushed out of my comfort zone by some of my assignments and discovered a few things about myself, 1) I do have a plan for my life, I did not have it organized or written down. Now I do and it brings great satisfaction. 2) This has been a challenging week, I have found that I am able to meet the demands and accomplish what is needed for my class work. At the beginning of this semester, I was not sure I would be able to meets the demands placed on me from family and class work. This brings me great joy and empowers me to do the best I can.

I was touched by this statement in an address given by Jeffery A. Thompson at BYU, he stated,
When zookeepers talked about their work as a calling, they spoke not just about satisfaction but also about sacrifice—caring for sick animals in the middle of the night, doing unsavory work, foregoing a comfortable living, and the list goes on. I learned something tremendously important from my study of zookeepers. For them, the pain and burdens and sacrifice were not threats to their sense of calling—they were part of it. The work was meaningful because of the trials and burdens. That is an important lesson. We can’t expect deep meaningfulness from our calling unless we are willing to assume its burdens as well. 
He also stated at the end of this address, I also testify that, as with all important questions, when it comes to asking what our calling in life is, Jesus Christ is in the answer. The grace of Christ, that same power that helps us do things we otherwise couldn’t, is what will guide us to our callings and enable us to excel in them. You can call upon the grace of Christ to help you with your professional calling. In fact, He pleads with us to do so. In Alma, He invites us to pray over our flocks (see Alma 34:20). Even if we are not shepherds by trade, we all tend professional flocks, and He is mindful of them. Knowing that helps us expel anxiety. I love that what we do in life should reflect and help us to further the work of the Lord, and we can find joy in working and learning, there is opposition in all things and with this opposition we gain greater understanding and knowledge about ourselves and learn what we can do.

One of my assignments was to read Randy Pausch's Last Lecture, it is powerful, he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer shortly before giving this lecture and so it truly is his last lecture.
I was asked to answer these questions:

• Why do you think Randy Pausch was able to achieve so many of his childhood dreams? I think Randy achieved his dreams because of his determination and the way his parents raised him. He was a gifted, talented man who learned he could do all the things he desired through hard work and determination.
• Do you feel that dreaming is important? Why or why not? Yes dreaming is important, it opens the mind to new ideas and creates a way for an individual to see new possibilities and opportunities.
• Discuss at least one of your childhood dreams. Explain why you believe you can or cannot achieve this dream. I wanted to be a ballet dancer, I loved watching individuals and seeing the grace and beauty of their movement. I cannot be a ballet dancer and perform on the stage, mainly because of my age. However, I can learn to ballet dance by taking classes and I can achieve some form of grace. Because of my age, it will take more work to train my muscles and I most likely will not be able to go on point, which is my ultimate dream. I will begin this adventure in the next few weeks I have found a studio where I can take classes.

As I read the articles and view the videos I am asking myself questions such as, What is it that I really want out of my career? What is the most important thing in my life? How can I act, in response to a prompting that signifies to the Lord my desire to accomplish His errand. I am hoping that through this course I will gain a better understanding of myself so I that I can pursue a career that will benefit me, my family and fulfill the things the Lord would have me do.

I was asked also to create a plan of what I would like my path to look like to obtain my goals. The following is what I have determined.

Stars and Stepping Stones

Tamara Hunt

Guardrails:

My guardrails will be the covenants I have made with the Lord,

              Daily

              Read scriptures

              Pray

Honor my marriage

              Fulfill my calling

              Show integrity through my actions

              Love those I meet daily

              Stand in Holy places

              Weekly

Attend church and partake of the Sacrament

              Monthly

Attend temple

Stepping Stones

              Internship at Not for Profit Organization.

              Graduate.

              Job at Not for Profit Hospital such as Shriner’s for Children.

              Retire around 65.

              Spend time with each of our children’s families.

              Serve missions with my husband.

              Continue to serve where we live.

What have I accomplished?

              A life of love and service.

Was I a good person?

              This is my goal and my desire, to help those around me.

Whom did I love?

My husband, children, grandchildren, family, those I serve in my callings and everyone I have met.

             

Top Three Employment Jobs

Shriner’s for Children’s – I want to work in either Human Resources or Organization behavior, helping this hospital attract and maintain their human talent, this hospital has a great reputation of helping children and their families and I want to be a part of their team.

S.O.M.E. So Others May Eat – This organization primarily works with the homeless helping them get off the street and secure housing, jobs and receive medical and dental care. I have served with them and admire all that they do. I would love to work in the Human Resource or Organizational Behavior department to help them further the work they do.

John Hopkins Hospital Philanthropy/Foundation – This hospital has done amazing things for people in the community and the country. I would love to be a part of their team in either Human Resources, talent management or on the Foundation helping them with fundraising, and furthering the work they do.

Entrepreneur Career List

This is really difficult for me to determine, I do not have a desire to own my own business I am taking this class to complete my degree and was told it was the best option, however, I see a lot of value in this class and I am enjoying this journey. My list is a list of things I enjoy doing and maybe I will create a job or career.

Life Coach – I enjoy helping others reach their goals and see success in their achievements, I love to help others become physically fit and help them obtain goals in their life’s work.

Dress Design – I struggle to find dresses that are appropriate for my age and the modesty I want, I know others find difficulty in finding dresses that are reasonably priced, easy to maintain and are age appropriate.

Family Business with my girls – Cakes, cupcakes and treasures. It would be fun to bake and help others celebrate some joys in life.