There is a story from the Talmud that goes like this: When Akiba was on his deathbed, he bemoaned to his rabbi that he felt he was a failure. His rabbi moved closer and asked why, and Akiba confessed that he had not lived a life like Moses. The poor man began to cry, admitting that he feared Gods judgment. At this, his rabbi leaned into his ear and whispered gently, `God will not judge Akiba for not being Moses. God will judge Akiba for not being Akiba.
I thought of that story the other day while talking to Elizabeth, a middle aged woman who had spent the last twenty-five years as an operating room nurse. She had been feeling stale for the past few years and was considering a career change. She thought she might go back to school, a move that would cost her about $20,000. Something didnt feel right about it so she called me.
I asked her what school would give her in terms of opportunities that she didnt have now. She said shed always heard that education opens many doors. Then I asked if she had ever enjoyed school. Only as a means to an end, she said. I wish I were the kind of person who likes academics. I wish I were someone who breezed through school.
Hold it right there, I said. Wishing you were someone else is a big red flag. It only gets in the way of your becoming more yourself. What I know about you is that you are very goal oriented. Once you know what you want to go for, you put all of your energy, talent, and intelligence into getting it. Thats how you got your nursing certificate, your husband, your children, and your beautiful house. Given that, does it make sense for you to go back to school?
