Remember in Thelma and Louise when they robbed a convenience store and Thelma told Louise something like, "I think I might have a knack for this shit."?That's sort of how I feel about this acting thing. It's funny.
What's not funny is that everything I'm fairly decent at is not anything you can make money at unless you're really, really, REALLY good. Like writing and cooking and gardening. And all of those things are wonderful and they make my life richer than dark chocolate truffles but once, just ONCE in my life, I'd like to earn some money.
I find myself wishing with all of my heart that I'd never gone to nursing school. Now don't get me wrong- I don't think those four years were wasted. I learned a lot of stuff in nursing school. Mainly (and this is sad) that I didn't want to be a nurse and that's the crux of the problem. My husband looks at what nurses make and he's all like, "Girl. What is stopping you?"
And I'm all like, "Uh, the smell of alcohol makes me want to puke, unless it comes in the form of a martini with a blue cheese olive in it?"
Really.
And then he's all like, "But you can do a lot of different things as a nurse," and I'm all like, "Yeah. There are so many fun, frolicking jobs in the nursing profession."
Maybe there are and I need to get off my ass and get one. Or at least one I can stand.
But I have to say that anyone who might be on the receiving end of my nursing skills at this point better have a will made up and notarized because I have no nursing skills. Listen- even putting a bandaid on a boo-boo is not my forte. I'm pretty good at kissing boo-boo's to make them better but I don't think that's standard medical practice.
And besides that, my youngest child, Ms. HoneyLuna, told me once several years ago that even when she was a wee thing she knew that my boo-boo kisses didn't have any healing powers at all but she, being a compassionate and understanding human being, knew I was doing my best and so she'd just allowed me to kiss her boo-boos, even if it didn't help her. She knew it helped me. She's always been so wise.
So what am I saying here? I'm saying if you're young and you're wondering which career path to take in this economy (or any other, to be honest), do your best to consider whether that career is something you can fathom doing for a long, long time. If you dislike being around the sick and the injured, perhaps nursing is not your field, even if it's a safe bet as to a good salary with benefits. Same is true for being a lawyer or a doctor or an actuary. Try to find something that makes your heart leap, just a little bit at least, or at the VERY least, you're slightly interested in.
I'm quite aware that going to work is not a joy for most people. Nor was it meant to be. I suppose. Who knows what work is meant to be besides the earning of your bread? But I don't think that the thought of getting up every day and doing it should make you have to run to the bathroom with various intestinal emergencies.
And maybe, just maybe, you should consider what your talents are and where your joy lies and see if somehow, through education and great effort, you can make those talents work for you while you work to make a living.
As an example, I will offer up this image:
If you look like that and have even the slightest knack for acting, get your ass to Hollywood and go for it.
That's Ms. Moon's advice for the week.
And listen- I'm giving this shit away for FREE!
It's your lucky day.
That was some damn good free advice. I'm glad that right now I do get excited thinking about being a nurse, or a midwife rather, I just hope that doesn't change when I get into the school and later in the work environment.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry that you didn't have anyone pushing you to go for what you love, because you are a great writer and actress, cook, and gardener, and mother, and all these things, so it could have been different. But there is no point in thinking about that now. The great thing is, you are still alive, which means you can still learn and grow or do whatever it is that you want. What happened to going to the career center at FSU? Not that I think you need to get a job, I was just kind of interested in what they would say.
...yeah all my career assessments always said "nurse". but um, I don't like sick people. I don't even like MYSELF when I'm sick..so yeah.
ReplyDeleteHospice, on the other hand has a great appeal to me. (maybe because then I am not responsible for the final outcome! ha-that's my death humor people)
hmmm... what AM I good at? Sleeping. Could I get paid to sleep do you think?
I know, I know. I need to go to the career center, but like with Ms. CMe- they'd probably tell me I should be a nurse!
ReplyDeleteAnd damn! If I could get paid for sleeping- well, I'd be so rich because I am so good at it.
my friend just up and moved to hollywood at the age of 24 and is now making a decent living as an extra in tv sitcoms (he's a regular extra on my name is earl). :)
ReplyDeleteGreat advice Ms. Moon. It is unfortunate that a lot of us can't make a living doing what we love. And I am still not sure what makes my heart sing as far as work goes. There are things I might want to do but I just never had the courage or conviction to follow through on them. Just scared to take the first step because of the unknown and possible rejection. And I admire you for at least doing stuff you are passionate about like the acting.
ReplyDeleteThere comes a time when it's just past time to be looking for a job unless you're starving and then you can just go be a waitress and get good tips. I was told 30 years ago that I was "the best therapist in the tri-county area," but I thought stabbing those women in my group might do us all a favor. My career tests always said "minister" or "lawyer," but oh, stick it.
ReplyDeleteI think Mr. Moon will just have to accept that he's got himself one heck of a wife, and not a working girl and be glad he's not eating frozen dinners. You are doing what I suspect you weren't meant to do. And soon when you add grandmother to that role, you will see. :)
Ms. Eden- well, someone has to do it.
ReplyDeleteMr. Shife- yeah- fear of rejection. Ever tried to sell a book? Hoo boy.
Ms. Lo- I'm sure Mr. Moon would agree with you on many levels. I just feel I need to help out.
Don't you see that you ARE helping out? Just because you don't draw a salary as such doesn't mean that what you do isn't valuable. In fact, if Mr. Moon and your kids had to pay for you, they wouldn't be able to afford you, and they'd have to get a bargain-basement faux Ms. Moon.
ReplyDeleteAnd I've got several years on you and still don't have a clue how to make money at the things I'm good at. In another time, I'd be a seer or a prophetess and held in high esteem. Or burned at the stake. Take your pick.
Ms. Moon, you're a better therapist than I, licensed or not.
ReplyDeleteYou might consider that as a career path!