I’ve always felt like there was one established path for me in life. It was the path people expected me to take based on my trajectory and background. It was predictable. It was safe.
I’ve never taken that path.
First, I went to a well-respected university so I could get a high-paying job after graduation…I ended up teaching in the Delta.
Next, I became a school principal, and I was supposed to make a career out of being an educator and administrator…after three years I headed to seminary.
Then, I earned my Master in Divinity degree so I could pastor a church somewhere…I left my denomination and enrolled in a doctoral program.
After that, I earned my PhD so I could go become a college professor…I totally bypassed the job market and went about creating my own job.
Maybe you’re like me—the world tells you to go left and you go right. They tell you to zig but you zag. You make your own path, or you’ve always wanted to.
If you’re still figuring things out, then you’re not alone.
I still really don’t know what I want to be when I grow up. But every step on this journey has helped me get clearer on what I don’t want to do and identify what kind of work gives me energy and joy.
That’s the dream, right?—To be able to do what you’re truly made for.
I’d love to share more of my dreams with you, and maybe hearing them will help inspire new dreams or motivate you to pursue ones you’ve had for a long time.
But dreams need support. Dreams, and the dreamers, need someone who believes in them and will go even further. They will offer tangible support so the dreamer, the writer, the creator can offer the world their very best.
One week from now I plan to make the subscription function of Substack go live for this newsletter.
That whole week will be filled with content so you can see the kind of work you’ll be supporting. I’m also glad to generate more or less on any topic, so please feel free to leave a comment.
Here’s what you can expect from me next week:
Monday (10/11) - Spiritual Inspiration
Tuesday (10/12) - My Recent Journey & Subscriptions Open!!!
Wednesday (10/13) - Book Recommendation
Thursday (10/14) - Live Ask Me Anything (AMA) at 8 pm CST
Friday (10/15) - Know Your Black History
In the meantime, I hope you’ll consider a monthly or annual subscription to this newsletter. I also hope you’ll pass this message along to three other folks who you think might be interested in my work.
This is the beginning of our journey together. I can’t wait to see where it takes us.
Dr. Tisby, thank you for your vulnerability in writing this. It is freeing to know that I am not alone. I am 25 and in my final year of my M.Div. in Birmingham, and have been overwhelmed with the unknown of what is next. I have been vacillating between serving in a local church context or doing a MA or PhD in American Religious History. I am torn between the two. Do you think both can be done well? How did you know that a PhD and not pastoral ministry was for you?
Looking forward to reading more through this newsletter.
Samuel Hagos
This really resonated with me today. I got a BA in history a couple of years ago with the intent of joining the Peace Corps before grad school and that fell through. I ended up working at a credit union which I hated, then Starbucks for a while because I just didn't know what to do with myself. I am currently working at a small, rural library in West Michigan and love it, but I know this isn't what I want to do forever. I have always known that I want to go back to school and continue studying history because I love it, first get an MA and then hopefully a PhD. Can I ask, is it worth it going back to school? I honestly have no idea what I want to do with it once I get it. I always thought I would want to teach, but now I'm not sure. I really just love the study of history and want to continue. Do you have any advice for an aspiring historian who still doesn't know what to do with her life?
Many thanks. I look forward to your newsletter next week!
Anna