Naivety, prophecy, arrogance and values...
In my mid teens I can remember clearly saying to a close friend that I was not going to live a normal boring 9 to 5 life. It’s funny how some memories can be so vivid. I can remember at the time we were joining the Knock dual carriageway from the Castlereagh Road and we were sitting in his works Montego estate.

I have often reflected on my statement and thought of it as arrogance but on reflection and unknown to me at the time it was a prophetic statement of what was in front of me. Since that time I have worked as a

*Shoe Sales Assistant – employed with Saxone (Walking in the footsteps of my granddad who was a shoe repairer & retailer – see what I did there walking & shoes baaa hahahahaha).
*Railway Parcel Porter – employed by Red Star Parcels.
*Book Keeper – employed by Red Star parcels to look after accounts.
*Factory Worker – employed by MSO making the cardboard sleeves for blank video tapes.
*Multi Storey Car Park Cleaner – employed by the Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company.
*Book Sales Assistant – employed by Bargain Books.
*Detached Youth Worker – Employed by the SEELB to work on Bangor sea front.
*Area Youth Worker – Employed by the SEELB to support youth clubs in the Ballynahinch area.
*Senior Youth Worker – Employed by the SEELB to support youth clubs and facilitate training in the Lisburn area.
*Centre Development Coordinator – Employed by Youth for Christ to manage the support of local youth centres and staff across the province.
*Foster Carer – Looking after children in care within my home.
*Care Worker – Employed by Prospects to work with adults with a learning disability in a residential setting.
*Residential Worker – Employed by the South Eastern Health Trust to work within Children’s homes.

When I made that statement as a teenager wet behind the ears as I was I didn’t realise that I was outlining a value that I had sub-consciously adopted and would put in place as I embarked on my working life. This value I continue to hold dear and it is to pursue, cherish and value different experiences. One of my observations has been that a fun filled life is often filled with variety and diversity and I was and am still keen to get a slice of both.

That’s why on Friday last I open a new chapter of my working career and took on a wee part-time job as a window cleaner. Thankfully we operate a new system of poles and brushes as ladders would not have been for me. I’m delighted to say after having cleaned the windows of 11 houses that I had a ball – and I have a funny feeling that this chapter is one I will look back on fondly.

The next exciting chapter will see me embark on a career in counselling as I graduate at Christmas. I'm looking forward to it very much...