Saturday, April 04, 2009

On the Sunnier Side of Saturday

Yesterday, I enclosed myself in my home. I drew the blinds, I turned the air down to a cool 73 and I filled a glass of water and set in by my side. Then I powered up my computer, said a prayer and started my three hour one hundred questions broker course.

The course I've been studying for since December. The course I've hated for three plus months but knew I had only a limited time to take it. The course my husband thought was a brainy idea to do since time was running out on my eligibility to take it. He was right, or course. We needed to keep our options open.

At question number 97, I clicked to read a printout on Adobe. When I returned to the test portion, I found it had locked me out. They warn you if you exit, you can't finish. I hadn't pressed Exit. I threw my pen down in shock and screamed a few comments then finally called my husband. "Call the company," he repeated three times into the phone.

Mark, the tech guy, and I knew each other well. I'd already called twice in the past two days. He repeated a simple order whereby I found my lost screen and finished my test.

I passed. But instead of intense joy--it means my ordeal moves to the state level of testing.

What does all this have to do with writing? A lot. It reminds me how my brain works. Words, not numbers and math and finance information, and investment stuff run through my brain. I don't think God wired me to be a broker kind of person but for now it's part of my life.

I'm rewarding myself today with some much needed time to write. Sometimes we have to do the hard stuff we hate, but thankfully when we get to do what we love, it makes the darker days much more sunny.

15 comments:

Jessica Nelson said...

Great last line, Terri!
How stressful. I'm horrible with numbers and directions myself. Writing can be hard, but it's also peaceful and satisfying when we get out what we need to get out.
Hope you have a lovely day!
Oh, and congrats on passing!

Ginger said...

I'm very impressed! Numbers are not my thing. Way to go. Enjoy your day!

Jan Cline said...

Isnt is a nice change to be at the computer for pleasure? You are very brave to keep going with the broker thing! Sunny? What is that? Fog so thick this morning I can't see accross the street!

Tana said...

Wow, enjoy today! I hope you write up a storm!

LisaShaw said...

I thank God you passed and now you're moving on to the next LEVEL. Transitioning is always a stretching process and it's never comfortable but GOD has a plan in it all for you dear sister.

I'm actually excited for you!!! :)

Hang on!

Love you and enjoy your day.

Jody Hedlund said...

I wish I could write full time and get lost in the world of make believe. But then God wouldn't be able to use all the other difficult things in my life to shape me and grow me! And then I'd probably lose all of the inspiration I need for writing! Those difficult days make our writing times richer and more pleasurable, don't they?!

Great Grandma Lin said...

too often making a living gets in the way of doing what we love. but it's necessary...good luck

Unknown said...

It sounds like you truly deserve a reward!! Great job on not only passing ... but taking the test in the first place.

I think that it's the hard things in life that teach us the most. The easy route can be fun but rarely gives us insight to ourselves. Taking this test revealed a lot about you. Congratulations!

Small Footprints
http://reducefootprints.blogspot.com

Kathleen said...

Oh dear ... I've had some of those same experiences! And, like you, when I've been responsible for the left-brain side of my life (or is it right-brain?), instead of my favored right-brain (the creative versus numerical part), I balk.

Definitely a day for chocolate!

Kathleen

Alleluiabelle said...

I congratulate you on passing your test! Just mention the word numbers to me and my mind shuts down. I'm with Kathleen, time for chocolate.

Blessings,
Alleluiabelle

Nikki (Sarah) said...

I love the way you write. I'm glad I connected with you. Have fun writing. Sarah

Eileen Astels Watson said...

Terri, I guess I'm the opposite. I struggle daily with words, while coding and numbers (at least from what I remember) come naturally to me. God does want us to stretch ourselves, though, I really believe that.

Congratulations on passing. I hope your day of writing went well!

Technonana said...

Terri... glad I could lighten your load with a laugh or two!!
I will be praying that God's will and purposes for your life will be shown to you in the next few days and weeks!!
In Him who Knows our Future!
Sharon

Robert said...

I hate numbers too. My degree is in Sociology and Financial management Systems. All theory no math. But I love words and that was why I could write Grants. I like to think my grants read like a book. Congratulations for completing your three months of drudgery successfully.

Slendarella said...

Ohh,I know that frustration that comes when the technology goes poof! and leaves you sitting there shocked and dismayed.

Deep breath, re-center.

So happy you passed it! Slendie