Wednesday Wisdom: Your Career Path

#WednesdayWisdom #Inspiration #Motivation for #Women

The pink Easy-Bake oven sitting in my bedroom rose to the forefront of my memories today. Could it be that I long for a chocolate cake baked by a light bulb – because that was cool? Yesterday, a copy of the Better Homes & Gardens Cook Book, given to me as a teenager, caught my eye as I looked for recipes tucked inside it from my grandmother. Lately, I’ve also heard an echo of my mother’s voice calling me downstairs to learn an Italian recipe as she cooked.

Conjuring of these food-related memories came forth because I’ve spent the last four weeks as the personal rectory chef for three priests in their beautiful kitchen. Weekly, I prepare meals of my choice for them. I’ve been an avid cook for a long time, and in the food service business since I was sixteen. I would have never guessed in partial retirement years; I’d be a chef for anyone other than my family.

If I connect the dots that have led me to where I am today, I see the path. Food service has always been in my career, especially as a 30-year event planner. I wasn’t the one cooking 500 plates of fancy food for a black tie event, or 200 buffet service items for a wedding, or bartending at a fundraiser. However, I was responsible for selecting menus and collaborating with caterers, chefs, and others on all food-related details for my customers.

Every day now, after I exercise, write, and share social media posts on women or sports, I create shopping lists, dinner menus, and strap on an apron and cook four nights a week. I feel like a teenager when I frolicked all day in Lake Delta, and then got ready to work at Friendly’s at night. There’s a freedom in it. I also see my career path.

Today’s Wednesday Wisdom is meant for you to look back on your career path. Can you see the stepping stones that led you to where you are today? If you can’t or you aren’t satisfied, can you conjure up what you’d prefer to do by looking back at what you’ve loved to do so far? Maybe an average thing like cooking or gardening can lead you to a new part-time career if you approach retirement or want to change up your life.

I hope you spend some time pondering this idea, your path, and set a dream to look for something else to satisfy an inkling. If you do, consider celebrating the discovery with a better-tasting chocolate cake than one made in an Easy-Bake oven.