Mini-Profile
When I was 40 years old, I was faced with a major life decision. I had just been offered a pay raise from $45,000/year to a six figure income if I would move to Chicago and travel the U.S. from there to train managers and sales people in a sales technique I had recently developed. Would I finally embrace my family’s definition of success (biggest house, fastest car, prettiest wife on the block), or would I continue along the path of my own calling (even if a lonely path in that family of 10)? I didn’t accept the promotion; in fact, I resigned, went back to school, invested $40,000 in education and eventually took a job that paid less than half of the $45,000 I had been earning five years previous.
I made the right decision. People are alive today that would be dead had I not chosen vocation over profession. Many children have better lives. Kids who were in street gangs went back to their families and now have kids of their own. I’m glad I chose as I did — that was a difficult decision!
The price for that decision has been inordinately high, though. I always thought I’d find a way to pay off school loans in time to retire. I’ve been asked time and again to start a church and provide spiritual guidance for interested people based in the spirituality that has been forged in me throughout these difficult years. I can’t! If there’s one thing I hate, it’s that! What I’d love most to do in these later years of my life — and what I think I am most supposed to do, I cannot. With these loans, I cannot responsibly reduce my income so dramatically. What to do? Continue helping others and believe that others will help me!
Where did you grow up?
Oakdale, Minnesota
Where do you live now?
St. Cloud, Minnesota
What is the highest level of education you have attained?
Masters Degree
What subjects did/do you enjoy the most at school?
Social Sciences, Theology, Literature, Language
What's your favorite sport or sports?
Fishing
What kinds of jobs have you held? Industries too!
Chaplain, Case Manager-Human Services, Heavy Equipment Mechanic,
What hobbies are you into?
Nature Photography
What causes are you concerned about today?
Rising drug/alcholol addiction, racial profiling, world poverty
If you claim a political party affliation, which is it?
Democratic
Which religion (if any) do you follow?
I am an Interfaith Chaplain and find value in some parts of all world religious traditions and spiritualities.