by Noella Noelophile®
More than three decades ago, this very night, I experienced “the witching hour”.
Magic was afoot–but not the Hollywood-style, say-an-incantation-and-see-results type.
No, this particular personal magic came about as an end result of daring to do something that terrified me.
I had been working a desk job, growing increasingly bored and frustrated. But I couldn’t afford to quit–supposedly. Money was tight, and I was attending a trade school to learn to do what I really wanted to do.
But then, the school alerted current students that they had ninety days to finish their courses.
There was no way. Or was there? With a loan and careful budgeting, could I possibly attend full-time, and make it through?
There was one way to find out.
Consequently, on Halloween night, 1988, I closed the door of the office behind me for the last time. My resignation was now final. The journey was beginning.
Heading for the trade school, to embark on three months of from-the-moment-they-open-till-they-close work and study, I didn’t know what the future would be.
“This is either the craziest thing I’ve ever done–or the absolute sanest…”
I still remember looking up at the moon in the dark alley, that Halloween night. People were hurrying about in costumes, celebrating. I didn’t know if I’d have anything to celebrate in three months–but there was no way I couldn’t take the opportunity. Or, perhaps, make the opportunity.
The following three months laid the groundwork for a career I loved. My first paid gigs came about, in the field. Ultimately, I had a completely different profession.
And today, I look back on Halloween night, 1988, as a landmark anniversary. The life-changing date–“the witching hour”.
Happy Halloween! May your personal magic lead you to accomplish your goals and dreams–even if they scare you.