a confused jack

I'm at a point in my life where I am confused as to what career path I should follow. Some say that it's a disadvantage to be a jack of all trades but master of none. Others say that it's better to have various skills because it means you could go anywhere and shift careers easily.

Now I'm actually afraid to be both. I'm afraid to be stuck in a career I don't love, but I'm afraid of not making a career out of something I'm passionate about. So if I'm afraid to be both, what that does make me? Don't get me wrong, I'm happy where I am right now, but somehow I feel that there's something out there that I can be passionate about. I don't hate my job enough to actually leave it, but I can't say I love it enough to stick to it. Think "ok lang", "sayang naman", "pwede na to kesa wala". There's always a trade off in every change we make.

If you ask me what my interests are, they are no where near what I studied and what my work is right now. I feel as if I missed my chance. Like it's too late to actually take courses related to my interests. Some say it's not too late, though. When I was picking what course to take up in college, I asked the question - should you choose something you love but may not be good at or something you're good at but may not love? Some said pick what you're good at, because well, that's what you're good at, a God given talent if you will. But some said something that you like, because if you like and enjoy what you're doing, then it wouldn't be a burden no matter how hard it may be. Others, well, doubted that you could not love something you're good at, and vice versa.

We are in the path we are in for a reason. There are always lessons to learn, skills to acquire, and habits to develop in any job or place we are in, even if we consider it to be a bad chapter in our lives. I'd like to think that the best we get out of every experience is the people we meet.

In the end it boils down to taking risks. And I have to say, I think I was sleeping under a rock when God gave out the risk-taking trait to mankind. I probably fear regret more than failing. But then again maybe I just think too much, instead of outright doing things. I seem to find excuses to justify my missing out on things, which makes me think that maybe I never really wanted it enough in the first place, or else I would have done everything in my power to achieve it -- if there's a will there's a way, right?

Here's a quote that struck me since I first read it:

Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars.
-Les Brown -

I guess I answered my own question, huh?

Hmmm....all this confusion and pressure makes me hungry...hehehe