“Jim finished his class for today. He was a part-time teacher in that college… ”
Based on a dream I had last night I was about to write the above scene for a potential novel. But I dropped it. It was best to express it as a personal story from my point of view, rather than the 3rd person Pov for Jim.
I had an epiphany: I finally understood my journey or life-cycle as a career-person. The dream seemed to be the harbinger of this realization.
I was in college and the principal, someone l knew didn’t cooperate & left me unable to complete the job I was paid for by the owner. I was upset & was forced to return alone.
It was a lonely road. Suddenly a windstorm blew. I was already running but I knew my hotel was still far away. I’d maybe reach very late at night.
l felt sad to have been told to go & come back next day by the principal. I put the blame for my predicament on him.
then from afar I saw 2 vehicles: 1 black, 1 white. I raised my hand to urge them to stop & pick me. The black one zoomed away. The white one stopped. There were tourists & I got in. I had sand in my mouth from the storm. As I sat I checked for my backpack & other hand carry. Both were there.
I was relieved. I survived one more day in the world of career.
so this was the dream. It summarized in a parable how I was able to succeed in my career:
- never be afraid of un-cooperation, sabotage
- dont forget the mission
- bend with the wind & rise again
- dont be afraid of being alone
- raise your hand to get lifts from strangers
- dont lose your expertise ever
- live to live another day
In so doing, I was able to be financially independent, retired early or FIRE in just 10 years.
I can still feel a mouthful of sand from the storm of solitude born from my single-mindedness. I can still see the disdain in the eyes of colleagues, unable to understand my emotional balance. I can still know that I’ll be rescued out of no where, as a result of my un-selfish & honorable actions even in the most difficult professional settings.
