I did it!

Bachelor of Science - Organizational Management from Robert's Wesleyan College.

On the left: Hannah, me, and Ayanna. On the right: Me and my ALL - my hubby James

It was a beautiful day! The sun was shining and the skies were clear.  I was surrounded by loved ones - family and friends. I'm blessed. To God be the glory.  Next steps....stay tuned. This is just the beginning.

Philippians 4:13 - Saturday, May 10, 2014

Hi Beautiful People,

It's been a while. I hope you're all doing wonderful and enjoying the glimpses of the sun. I'm hoping we have a fabulously hot summer full of clear blue skies!

Did you happen to catch the title of this blog post? Philippians 4:13 - Saturday, May 10, 2014. This day will be recorded as a special day in my memory book.  The verse - well if it were not for Christ continuously strengthening me, this reality would still be a dream.  I will be walking across the stage at Robert Wesleyan College and receiving my Bachelor of Science degree in Organizational Management. I'm elated!

Why such enthusiasm? See, 24 years ago, on Wednesday, November 15, 1989, I turned 16 and I made a decision that forever changed my life. I walked into my homeroom at Edison Tech High School and dumped all my books on Ms. Deyo's desk. She asked me, "what are you doing"? I told her, "I'm done". I turned and left. She didn't try to stop me. Would I have changed my mind? Only God knows. The interesting thing is that as I went to get on the RTS bus, the driver asked me what I was doing? I told him going home...I just dropped out of school. His response, although ticked me off, didn't change my mind. He told me, "oh you're grown now huh?, well walk your grown behind home"! Yeah, he did not let me get on the bus! So I walked.

I ended up back in juvi (that journey another time).  In and out of juvi for around two years, I ended up getting my GED May 1991.  Three years later I obtained a General Office Skills certificate from REOC.  That certificate helped get my foot into the professional arena. More like a toe! Desiring to be more and have more, I eventually enrolled at MCC.  At MCC I changed majors a few times (that adventure also at another time). Life happened and after starting in 1996, I graduated in 2004. Do the math - quick! Yes, it took me 8 years but I did it.

The road leads me to the present day.  I was comfortable in my profession as an executive/admin assistant, although I had 15+ years of experience, I felt professionally empty - if that makes sense.  I took some time to reevaluate my career goals and realized that I'd always wanted to achieve my bachelors.  I had tried several times and was not successful. The colleges/programs were not for me. 

And as life doesn't stop, I kept on living. The goal was boxed and safely put away.

Have you ever had a goal, vision, or desire that had not been realized and it keeps gnawing at you? It just won't go away! That was my goal and with the encouragement of Mr. D., I reached out to a few people I knew had graduated from Robert's. I asked them a million questions and I signed up for an info session. I enrolled. I was accepted. I finished. I graduate!

To those reading this...young or old, don't EVER give up. If you're breathing, you still can reach that goal and stop that annoying gnawing feeling.  If you've dropped out of high school - try and go back or go get the GED.  If you're contemplating dropping out - DON'T do it! You will regret it.  I wish I had prom pictures to look at and laugh at. I wish I had those memories....  If you've obtained your GED, awesome sauce! Don't stop there. Go further. Get a certificate. REOC and local colleges offer certificate programs.  Whether it's to fulfill a personal or professional goal, education is knowledge and that knowledge will be yours forever.

As for me and my future - I plan on receiving my Masters in Human Resources Management.  I'm looking at a couple of local colleges because I need to be in a classroom. Online does not work for me.

There should be six attendees at my graduation - my mama, dad, 2 daughters, son and hubs. My son is out of town handling some business - but I'll be sure to have lots of photo for him to see and he'll definitely be at my next graduation.

If you ever want to chat or have questions email me at accordingtomdannert@hotmail.com