Monday, May 04, 2009

What should I do next?

"The Lord knows both what He will need you to do and what you will need to know. He is kind and He is all-knowing. So you can with confidence expect that He has prepared opportunities for you to learn in preparation for the service you will give. You will not recognize those opportunities perfectly. . . . But when you put the spiritual things first in your life, you will be blessed to feel directed toward certain learning, and you will be motivated to work harder." --Henry B. Eyring, quoted in the April Ensign, p. 24.

One thing I learned from my poetry workshop is that I really love this kind of learning and this kind of work. I'm getting more and more sure that I do want to go for the MFA, and that I do want to do it in poetry as opposed to fiction. I think I am a poet at heart, though I enjoy writing the fiction as well.

The question is: is that where God would have me be for the next few years? Can I justify the financial investment? Is the fact that it brings me joy and makes me feel energized a sign that the Spirit is saying "go ahead"?

9 comments:

Th. said...

.

It's certainly not a no.

Laura said...

I don't know, but whatever you do just know that I using it as a sign as to what I should do with my life! (mostly kidding) You seem to be a pretty grounded person. I bet you can trust your instincts. Besides, I definitely want to read more of your poetry so if getting an MFA is the way to get you to write more of it, well, then I hope you go for it :)

Ang said...

You know what I think :-).

FoxyJ said...

I've been lurking on your blog all poetry month, and while I don't know you I thought I'd add my two cents. I've loved reading all the different poems--love to study poetry, haven't ever been good at writing any. And I love your poems as well :)

Anyways, I'm just finishing my first year of a PhD program in Comparative Literature. And it's going to be my only year because I'm dropping out. The thing is, it's something people have been telling me that I should do for years and everyone told me I'd be great at it. The thing is, I don't love it. I don't feel energized. I love reading and discussing books, but academia and teaching is really not for me. If I'm honest with myself I realize that I didn't feel energized about it even a year ago when I was accepted to the program, but went ahead anyways. So I have no idea if this is helpful to your or not, but I think your good feelings could be a good sign.

Anonymous said...

yes, yes and yes. An MFA is perfect for you.

Darlene said...

Thanks for your comments and support, guys.

And FoxyJ, thanks for your story. It's true that I feel energy when I think about doing this, and that a lack of energy in the past has always been a pretty clear no to me. I think it's very mature of you to recognize a wrong turn and fix it instead of insisting on sticking it out.

By the way, I think I met you once, at a Segullah bloggersnacker in the park. I was the one no one knew because I never blog at Segullah.

Louise Plummer said...

Let your poetic light shine! Go for it.

Darlene said...

Holy Moly! Louise Plummer commented on my blog! Well, if that doesn't make my day, I don't know what would.

I just discovered your blog too, Louise. I loved your post from your journal at age 50.

Lara said...

Sounds good to me. Thanks for posting that quote--I really needed to hear that today.