Growing up, my Dad always encouraged me to dream big and work hard to make those dreams a reality. When I decided I wanted to go back to Divinity School for a Master’s in Religion, it happened to coincide with a bad breakup with a long term boyfriend. My first choice of schools was all the way across the country. As we talked about my options and possible decision, my Dad said “Paula, its a big decision and we will always support the decisions you make. Please make sure that you are running towards something you want for your life, and not running away from something else.”
This little tidbit helped confirm my decision, and I often use my Dad’s words as a compass to make sure I’m following my own heart in life’s big decisions. Am I running towards something with the excitement of new things to learn, new possibilities? Or am I turning tail and running away, backing down from who I am and what I have come here to do with my life?
The answer to my Divinity School question was that I was running, arms open, towards what I needed to do with my life. It was a big decision. It was the right decision. And I’m so grateful my Dad asked such a lovely question to make sure I was following my dreams.