"What Are You Doing the Rest Of Your Life?"

At some point in our lives we all ask the same question - what am I going to do with the rest of my life? At least I know I did. It came after I had been practicing law for twelve years or so. I woke up one day dreading facing the day and it was a tipping point. I just couldn't do it any longer.

Now that is not to say a legal career can't be a rewarding one and I mean emotionally as well as monetarily. It can be. I know a lot of lawyers who are happy as clams. I also know a lot who aren't. I also know insurance salesman, car dealers, bankers and others who wish they had chosen something else.

But the fact of the matter is that most of us can change careers if we really want to take some risks. I know you can't jeopardize your family's stability, but usually new opportunities present themselves and all you have to do is make a leap of faith. That's what I did and I have been a happier person for it. I can still remember though how panic stricken my wife looked when I told her that the legal profession and I were coming to a parting of ways.

I chose law as my profession for all the wrong reasons. I have told this story so often I can do it in my sleep. I was in the eleventh grade and my English teacher asked me what I was going to study in college. When I said I didn't know she told me to make up my mind by Monday (this was on a Friday). I went home, turned on the TV and there was "Perry Mason." I thought he seemed to be happy so I picked a legal career.

By the time I began to have doubts it was too late, or so I felt. My family was gloriously happy they were going to have a lawyer in the family. My high school and college counselors affirmed I was going to have a wonderful career. Everyone was sure about it except me.

Anyway after more than a few years I jumped off the legal express and I haven't looked back with regret a single time since then. Its funny but some young lawyers tell me I am their main hope for happiness in their careers. They tell themselves if they get to a miserable state they can change careers - just like Jackie Cooper did.

I am a firm believer in being happy. I was brought up to believe you could never get divorced. Yes there was a time when people believed that to be true. But when I was watching my bride walk down the aisle to become my wife I reminded myself if this didn't work out I could get a divorce. I have never once wanted to exercise that option but I liked knowing I had that escape clause in my mind.

Forever is a long time and we should make as many decisions as we can to be happy. It may not have happened to you yet but one day you are going to ask yourself or someone is going to ask you what are you doing the rest of your life? The answer is I am going to be happy and make as many people as I can around me happy.
 

 

 

 

 

©2008 Jackie K. Cooper

Click above to find out more about Jackie's books!