MORE Change... The Only Constant in Life

I’m realizing more and more that the only thing constant in life is change. And I think that’s a good thing!

People have their opinions about employment and how long you should keep a job… It’s funny because I think some of that perspective comes from “the olden days” and perhaps some of it also comes from a place of envy because they might be “stuck” where they are. I would never be a proponent of job-hopping, but I’m even less a proponent of sticking with something just because “you should” according to others.

I’ve written before about following your heart. It might not end up being the path you thought it was going to be, but at least you tried, and you won’t have to wonder “what if?” I think we do make some decisions based on what we hope the end result will be and I am guilty of that for sure. Sometimes my gut and my heart don’t totally agree, but I don’t realize it until later. The heart typically wins!

Well, “what if” an opportunity presented itself where you could combine a philanthropic effort that you have already been involved with (as a volunteer) with your professional experience in a job (as a paid employee)? Sounds pretty amazing, right? Two worlds colliding! I’ve often thought about working in the non-profit world… Of course, knowing it is still a job, with its own set of challenges, but doing something in my work that affects the greater good has always sounded appealing.

I’m a Delta Gamma (yes, I said “am” and not “was” because we make a lifetime commitment!) and our philanthropy is “Service for Sight” – supporting vision-related charities and organizations with our same mission to help those who are blind or visually impaired through services or research.  Each collegiate and alumnae chapter throughout North America and the U.K. is dedicated to supporting this through service and fundraising efforts. 

In 2005, together with my San Diego Delta Gamma alumnae chapter, I founded a charity event called Race for Sight, with the beneficiaries being our DG Foundation, San Diego Braille Institute, and The Vision of Children Foundation here in San Diego.

Well, my worlds have collided because the founders of Vision of Children (VOC) have asked me to be their Director of Development & Communications... And I have accepted! I couldn't turn down the chance to couple an outside interest (with such profound meaning) with my professional experience. VOC funds research with the goal of eradicating genetic eye diseases and vision disorders. Through the research they’ve helped fund, there has been successful gene replacement and there are people who were born blind who now have vision—pretty amazing stuff!

They’re looking to me to help them step-up their numbers and outreach so we can get to the end result—curing these diseases—FASTER. And I can’t wait to get started. It really was amazing timing, despite having been at my current position for just about six months… I had to go for it!

I read an article recently that said “passion is the secret ingredient to success.” Are you passionate about what you’re doing? Why not? Take some time and write down those things you are passionate about—what you would do even if you didn’t get paid for it—and then seek out ways to follow that passion.

So, more change… Bring it on!

I recommend checking out this article: http://addicted2success.com/success-advice/7-steps-to-finding-your-passion-the-secret-ingredient-to-success/