I'm not meant to be "other people"

"Brick walls are there for a reason. The brick walls are not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to show how badly we want something. Because the brick walls are there to stop the people who don’t want something badly enough. They are there to keep out the other people."

Randy Pausch

Oddly enough, I didn't find this quote in the Professor's book, nor did I find it online or on someone's facebook or even after a good google. I first heard this quote on, get this, General Hospital. Now, I haven't watched a soap since my high school run of Passions and Days (ok...and Sunset Beach) but I'm working from home today and welcomed the much needed background noise.

I, too, thought it strange that the soap would be quoting this author during a fight about love or adultery or some sort of misguided sexual encounter, but who am I to judge. It is a good quote.

I've been meaning to read the book, "The Last Lecture" and if it wasn't so expensive at Borders or so popular at the Library, I would have done so by now. From what I've glimpsed at so far, it seems to be quite the little inspiration. I like this brick wall quote because it's true...and it lacks the stereotypical "new door opening" image. It makes sense of the road blocks, the very definite and seemingly overwhelming lack of success that can come early in one's career. I've said it before, I hated those struggles. Who wants to go through all that, especially when you see those around you achieving success so easily (at least at face value).

I had a huge "woe is me" attitude right out of college. I didn't know what I was doing, where I was going, or what I would grow to become...but in the midst of all that doubt, I knew I was where I was supposed to be.

How easy is it to say that now...three years later.

My career is far from over...heck I have a good 40 years before I can even think of retirement. I guess I should look at that as a good thing. I have 40 years to make something of myself. After three, I must say, I haven't done so bad thus far.

"Better to fail spectacularly than do something mediocre."