I am just two weeks shy of my 78th birthday, and I frequently recall obstacles that I’ve dealt with and sometimes overcome in my life. I recently saw an old newspaper article listing the members of my high school class (66 seniors) and honors received at graduation. Among them was mention of a scholarship I received as a child of the local factory for which my father worked. It listed the colleges we seniors planned on attending. I recall that my parents didn’t want me to take college courses (couldn’t foresee how college could be affordable.) Neither of them went to high school and my father’s disability (deafness) prevented him for doing more than menial jobs his whole life. It was only the advice of the guidance counselor and his assurance that I was college material and would get aid that changed their minds.
I had to deal with months of paperwork, background checks and such to finally get a job in Brazil that I really wanted.
I am loath to portray myself as a victim, as for the most part, I’ve been successful in my career choices although I never climbed the administrative ladder very far. To be honest, most of my obstacles were characteristics that I struggled with for years, such as difficulty with resolving conflicts, burying my own feelings and remaining reticent when speaking up might have cleared the air.
These are things I continue to work on in myself and hope to be mindful of. Although my working life is over, there are plenty of opportunities in my relationships in volunteer work and at home where I can learn and grow. I inherited a certain amount of caution and reticence that doesn’t serve me well but I am part of communities (church, relationships, exercise classes, volunteer groups) that appreciate the talents I have and the efforts I make to overcome whatever challenges arise.
— Oxnard15
I had to deal with months of paperwork, background checks and such to finally get a job in Brazil that I really wanted.
I am loath to portray myself as a victim, as for the most part, I’ve been successful in my career choices although I never climbed the administrative ladder very far. To be honest, most of my obstacles were characteristics that I struggled with for years, such as difficulty with resolving conflicts, burying my own feelings and remaining reticent when speaking up might have cleared the air.
These are things I continue to work on in myself and hope to be mindful of. Although my working life is over, there are plenty of opportunities in my relationships in volunteer work and at home where I can learn and grow. I inherited a certain amount of caution and reticence that doesn’t serve me well but I am part of communities (church, relationships, exercise classes, volunteer groups) that appreciate the talents I have and the efforts I make to overcome whatever challenges arise.
— Oxnard15
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