Embrace the Epiphany (and why I quit TFA)

Today was the first session of Kick Ass Ladies Club. The brainchild of Megan Gebhart, the goal of KALC is to meet with female leaders in the entrepreneurial community. Five of us met at the East Lansing Technology and Innovation Center. Through a series of events, neither of our female speakers were able to join, but Scott Westerman, president of the MSU Alumni Association decided to join us.
 
Halfway through telling his personal story, Scott said that one of the most valuable things he ever did, was to listen to the still small voice telling him what direction to go. 
 
Embrace the epiphany. Sometimes, life has a way of telling you what you should do and what you shouldn’t do. Don’t forget to listen.
 
First, the Scott Westerman Story: Having attended MSU on a clear, driven track to work in broadcast journalism, six weeks before graduating, Mr. Westerman realized that he wasn’t following his true passion. So, as scary as it may have been to not have a plan, he decided to not do it. Today I heard over and over “passions change with time.” Clearly his passion changed and he chose to embrace the epiphany.
 
Now my strangely similar story: Since April when I made my decision, I have struggled with the fact that I decided to not fulfill my commitment to Teach for America in Detroit. I have been called a corporate sell-out, a capitalist (so…. That’s a bad thing?), selfish, and a slew of terms I don’t want to repeat in print. (I know, people need lives). In any case, the running commentary on my life raised serious doubts internal doubts about my true passions.  Full disclosure, I still am in full support of the organization and admire those who chose to do it.
 
But, like Mr. Westerman, when I made the difficult decision to embrace the epiphany, I embraced everything that went with it: questioning parents, questioning peers and mentors, a late-stage job search, and an insecure future. But, I also embraced the decision to follow my passion.
 
Unemployment and job searching was not that bad, and I found a wonderful job at a company that makes it a priority to consistently seek happiness, serve customers, and help people start businesses.  And best of all, everyday I talk to people who are looking to join us and follow their passion. I have the opportunity to help them fulfill their passion and start a business. 
 
And that’s why I wake up everyday thanking God above for giving me the strength to embrace the epiphany and say “no” to the most selective non-profit organization in the nation.

And thank you Mr. Westerman for reminding me of why I did.