Professional?

In one week today, I will begin the life of a "professional" - whatever that means. I have accepted a position at the Airport Consultants Council. While everyone is going back to school, I will not be; instead, I will be working. Every summer I have ever known has always ended with the fall semester coming, but now, it ends with a job. A job that will not stop next May for summer recess. In my career-focused life, I have always dreamed of the day when school would stop and the career would start, but now that it is here, I don't know what to think. I don't know what to do.

I'm excited to begin, but scared of disappointment, failure, and mundane life. I'm scared it will change who I am, or even worse, become who am I. I will give it a 100%, but my goal is for it not to control me, rule me, or give me worth. Just as I was not defined by my grades in school, I will not be defined by my job failures or successes. (yes, this is me reassuring myself of this and trying to convince myself of these "truths.")

To all of this, I say, "Cheers to life. Cheers to dreams that come alive. Cheers to the dreams that crumple."