My Place

Growing up my dream career changed multiple times. From wanting to be a garbage man, because I thought garbage trucks were cool. To wanting to be a police officer, then a welder, then an actor.

I wasn't that great in school when it came to learning. Of course, schools didn't cater to the many different learning styles that people have, and if you can't learn in the style that the school sets up, well then you fail and have to repeat the grade or class. Because of this, I got held back twice. I also got bullied in school which has caused some mental issues that I face even today (working on those). I absolutely hated school and the idea of going to college, tech school, or any secondary schooling after high school was not in my mind at all. When it came to the point where I wanted to become an actor, all the high school teachers were pushing us students to "just apply to a college so that you know how to do it when you decide to attend." If anything, if felt like they were literally pushing us to go to college, not to mention the spam emails and phone calls from these colleges. At this point, college degrees don't seem to mean much anymore unless you are looking to work in the medical or legal system. Or, unless you are a child of a politician, then you don't need any credentials.

Okay, moving away from my tangent before it gets worse. I had looked to see what colleges near me had programs for those wanting to go into acting. Ther was none. All the colleges that I could find were in New York or California with a few in-between. Oh hot damn! California! I can finally move out of this cold state from which I live and move to a warmer location! Sign me up for that acting college in California! So, I fell into the teacher's trap of applying for college. Well, at that point I was a senior in high school. With me not doing good in school, my GPA was not the greatest and there was no possible way of getting it up to where I needed it to be. I was obsessed with going to California! Unfortunate for me at that time, I got denied from this college. I now had no other interest in going to college. Then my buddy got accepted into a college, and I had helped him move into his dorm. I then walked the college with him and some other people. I was excited for my buddy and this new path he was taking! So excited that I then applied for the same college not completely knowing what I was going to go for but wanted to also travel down a new path. I also got shot down by the college. So, then I gave up that idea for a while. It got to the point where I wanted to do something with my life, so I tried to get into another college. Things didn't go to plan, and I ended up not going.

I then went into the work force. That was an on and off thing, because I was not a fan of working for other people and, I found this out not too long ago, that once I learn how my specific job works and I get to the point of mastering it I lose interest in the job and wonder what am I doing with my life? Also, seeing co-workers that are two times my age and up acting like spoiled children pushes me away from working that job.

It got to the point where I asked myself again, what am I doing with my life? I needed to find something that I am passionate about. My grate aunt, whom I mentioned in the last blog post, had recommended the N.I.T.E. school which was before my quarter life crisis so to speak. I looked into the school but wasn't sold because I wasn't a fan of school or schoolwork, and the description of the exams and yearly research papers scared me off. When it came to my quarter life crisis, my aunt had an appointment at the school (NITE). She asked me if I would like to tag along and get a tour of the school? I agreed to it so that I could get out of the area and to also see if this school would be something that I could do. When we got to NITE, I sat down with a wonderful individual named Julie. Julie introduced me to what all NITE has to offer. What kinds of classes are taught, how things are done at the school, and even the tuition (which is affordable and don't need to get a loan that will have you in debt the rest of your life). Julie then gave me a tour of the school. This place had a magical feeling to it, and still does! It was warm, inviting, loving. The aromas of the essential oils that were used gave the school a pleasant smell. After the tour, Julie talked with me more and gave me some information to take home. I was hooked! This school was different from the conventional community schools and colleges from which I despise! I wanted to attend NITE!

My cousin, who was in his second year of NITE at that time, was required via NITE curriculum to teach a class. I had decided to attend his class so that I can get a glimpse of what I will be learning. The information on health amazed me! How can something so simple be such a huge influence on the human body? With my phlegmatic/melancholy personality, I was even more excited to attend NITE and learn! Only if elementary, middle, and high school got me this excited to learn. I attended as many of my cousin's classes as I could.

Fast forward to my first day at NITE. Us first year students went through orientation, then our fist class started. Our teacher comes walking in. A woman by the name of Dr. Baker. She is the owner of NITE. She is this courageous, confidant, outspoken woman! She has been in the field of natural health longer that I have been alive. Instead of getting right into the topic of the class which was Anatomy and physiology 1, she decided introduce herself to us and give her background. She talked to us about the countless amounts of people that she has helped and even gave examples. She talked to us about the importance of natural health and the importance of us being there to learn and to help the world. She was captivating and seriously passionate about what she does and wanting the world to be a more healthy and better place. She was, and is to this day, amazing!

I had voiced to my mom how I was having a hard time finding my place in this world. After our first day with Dr. Baker, I texted my mom "I finally found my place!"

I am glad that life had pushed me away from being a garbage man, police officer, welder, actor. Not that there is anything wrong with any of those jobs, and I still think garbage trucks are cool. Life had pushed me, no matter how hard it hurt, to where I need to be. It pushed me to my place! Just know that if things are not turning in your favor in any aspect of your life, life itself will push you where you need to go and you too will find your place in this world!

Stay healthy everyone!

Eric VerEllen, NHT