Choosing a dream job changes throughout your life. It’s like navigating a maze with changing paths, each turn revealing new aspirations and passions. It’s a moving target that evolves with age, experience, and the discovery of one’s true passions. Reflecting on my own trajectory, I find myself looking back at my initial dream job, then the far out dream, and finally, the current dream job that stems from newfound passions.
As a child, my dream was simple. I wanted to follow in my father’s footsteps and to become a teacher. The idea of imparting knowledge and shaping the minds of the next generation felt like the most impactful and fulfilling path. It would be a way to leave a legacy beyond myself. However, life has a way of redirecting our trajectories, and circumstances prevented me from realizing this dream.
Undeterred, I Continued to live my life. Working a series of retail, food and bev, and even banking jobs. During this time I was just working jobs to put food on the table and keep a roof over my head. The idea of a dream job never really surfaced again until I was in banking for a few years. My passion as I came home every night and as a way to relax was to cook. They say do what you love and this was something I truly loved. I loved to cook interesting things. My way of showing people I cared for them was to cook them food. I dreamed of cooking every day at work. The dream transformed into running a food truck, a concept that combined my culinary skills with the freedom of mobility. Yet, the practicalities of life and raising a family shifted the dream’s realism into perspective. While the food truck dream still lingers, I understand its feasibility may not align with the responsibilities at hand.
Fast forward to the present, where a new dream job has taken root, one that may seem impractical but holds immense personal value – running a Compost Facility. This dream stems from a recent venture into gardening and composting. The satisfaction of reducing waste and creating nutrient-rich soil for my garden sparked a realization – I could turn this passion into a purpose.
In an ideal scenario, the Compost Facility would not just process waste but also provide composted material to home gardens, contributing to the fight against food scarcity within my community. The dream extends beyond personal fulfillment to a desire to make a meaningful impact and making sure my neighbors have healthy options.
Listening to podcasts like Gastropod, has invigorated my drive to do something more with the food I have in front of me. It has subjects which explore innovative ways to repurpose waste, different growing methods, and conservation efforts. My city, as far as I know, underutilizes such ideas, and there’s a lack of expansive community gardens. The vision is clear – additional plots, accessible spaces where people can cultivate small gardens, and contribute to feeding the community.
This dream job isn’t just about personal satisfaction; it’s about caring for others and fostering a sense of community. In a world that sometimes feels increasingly divisive, the belief in the strength of a community stands unshaken. As the saying goes, “It takes a village to raise a child,” and this dream job aims to rebuild that village.
I’ve been sending letters to my representatives, advocating for more community gardens. This, I hope, will pave the way for discussions about implementing a robust composting system. The dream is to turn waste into nourishment, to build a community that thrives together.
Life’s a garden man, dig it?
K
A funny thing happened on the way to the book 
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