Persistence Pays, 2000s, by David Goodlett

From MemoryArchive

Who: David Goodlett
What: Job Obstacles
When: The recent present
Where: Kentucky

Sometimes the path we are meant to follow in life is full of obstacles. If this is the case, should we diverge from the path? If the experiences of the past four years of my life have taught me anything, I would have to say no.

In 2002 I left a secure job teaching English in Paducah, Kentucky to return to Louisville, the place I’ve always called home. Though I left without having a job, by the end of the summer I was asked to teach drama for Stage One, Louisville’s nationally recognized children’s theatre. I was thrilled. It had always been my dream to work for a professional theatre company, and now that dream had come true. But as is often the case in life, it wasn’t too long before an obstacle was thrown in my path.

On a February Friday in 2003, my boss called me in to tell me that Stage One would have to let me go. The theatre was floundering financially and they couldn’t afford me anymore. I was both devastated and frightened. In two weeks time I would be without any means of financial support. Luckily (at least I thought so at the time), I found a job with Humana as a customer service rep. My job was to answer calls from Humana insurance customers who had questions about their coverage. And I hated it.

In the summer of 2003 another job crossed my path. A chance to edit copy for a company called VMS. Though this job allowed me to use some of my skills as an English teacher, it still was not what I wanted. What I had been trained to do, what I had always wanted to do was be an English teacher. So I did what any teacher who can’t find a permanent job does, I became a substitute teacher. Though not a glamorous job by any means, it paid the bills and got me back in the classroom again.

Fast forward to the summer of 2004. Another tense summer without any job prospects represented another obstacle in my path. While perusing the paper one late July day I saw an ad that looked interesting. Bethlehem High School, a small Catholic school in Bardstown, was looking for an English teacher. I knew the pay would be less than what I was accustomed to, but it was the chance to have my own classroom again, the chance to do what I love to do more than anything: teach.

Needless to say, I took the job and the rest is history. I’m happier now than I have ever been and this happiness came from following a path seemingly overrun with obstacles. I guess the lesson I learned is that if you know in your heart that you are on your chosen path, don’t abandon it because of a few obstacles. For me, those obstacles have made the destination that much sweeter.