re·al·i·za·tion
1 [singular] : the state of understanding or becoming aware of something ▪ There is a growing realization that changes need to be made to the coaching staff. ▪ She had a/the sudden realization [=she suddenly realized] that things had changed between them. ▪ He came to the realization [=he realized] that he was adding up the wrong numbers.
2 [count] formal : the act of achieving something that was planned or hoped for —usually singular —usually + of ▪ He was thrilled by the realization of his lifelong dream. After three years of working as office manager at a medical office, and a random sequence of thoughts yesterday, I made a funny little realization.
Before I get to my little thought sequence, I must begin by saying that a huge part of my job as manager is keeping the books - I manage all the money, pay all the bills, do the payroll, pay the taxes, etc, etc.
Yesterday, after getting all the W-2s done for the employees, I began thinking about how my life has become consumed in running numbers - whether it's making sure we are getting paid enough on a certain procedure, or creating a budget for the month, or trying to figure out how much square footage we need in a new suite. I was thinking that this job has turned out to be a surprising career path for me, as I went to college in communications/editing with the anticipation of news writing or editing. So I decided to think back to my childhood and try to remember what my ambitions were then.
As a kindergartner, I wanted to be a nurse, and that ambition gradually turned into wanting to be a doctor until about the 6th grade, when my interest suddenly changed from the medical field to journalism. I specifically remember being asked in 2nd grade what I wanted to be, and my reply was to be either a nurse or a doctor because I wanted to be able to help people (what a sweet little 2nd grader I was). As I thought about that, I was then brought back to this little memory:
When I was in 5th grade, my class spent a day or two at this lovely place -
Young AmeriTowne. This mini-city is made up of 17 businesses that are run by cute little 5th and 6th graders. The purpose of this town is to teach kids to have jobs, earn paychecks, spend the money that they earn within their means, and just learn how to run businesses within a community. As part of the Young AmeriTowne experience, we had to submit applications and go through an interview process for the jobs that we wanted. I, of course, applied to be a doctor at the medical office. You can imagine my little 5th grade disappointment when I did not receive the position of a physician. However, I was still given a job in the medical office. My position -- book keeper. My teacher who gave me the position tried to lift my spirits by telling me what an important job it was, and that I was given that position because of my math abilities. I was in charge of running the books for the Young AmeriTowne Medical Office. I did the payroll, I paid the office bills, and kept the office running.
Any similarities to what I did for that 5th grade assignment and what I do now? Who knew my 5th grade teacher could see the future?
I think the irony (or really coincidence I guess) is pretty funny. And even funnier, is the fact, that I have never thought of that story before.
That is my funny realization - in more ways than one.
