Elliott's Nudge

Elliott told me this story during our session on how to reconnect with one's passion. At age 21, in 1975, Elliott was still in touch with his dream. He knew what it was ever since he was a child. His plan was to come out west from North Carolina and explore the geology, plants and wildlife found in the Grand Canyon. He would get to know the Grand Canyon first hand, then study natural history, become a university professor and take his students on walks there. With 83 dollars in his pocket, no contacts and no job prospects, he set out on a cross country drive to Arizona. His mother screamed her fears at him. "You're crazy. There are no jobs at the Grand Canyon! You don't have any experience! Nobody knows you! Where are you going to live? What are you going to eat? Rocks? Don't do this, Elliott! " By the time he got to Arizona, his mother's fears started to take over. Instead of going to the Grand Canyon, he decided he might have a better chance of finding a job in the big cities, but he couldn't find a job in either Phoenix or Tucson. He drove to Flagstaff, in the dead of winter with 17 dollars left in his pocket. At the unemployment office, he begged for a job - any job, but was again turned away. As Elliott was walking out to his car, he felt a chill go up his spine, but it wasn't due to the cold. A man was calling after him. It was the same man who had just interviewed him at the unemployment office. "Young man! Young man! I think I might have something for you.... it isn't much, but a friend of mine owns a restaurant and hotel. He needs a dishwasher. The only thing is... the job would require you to move to the Grand Canyon."

Message: Sometimes a nudge is necessary to get you back on track.