Step Up on Second Writers' Anthology

A Dream Fulfilled
By Les Jones

My life has changed for the better over the years and my dreams reflect that change.

When I was young, I was shy and afraid of others. I spent most of my time alone. My dream was to be a radio DJ because I thought it would be great to work alone and “be someone else.” I worked as a DJ in Dallas and Houston for nine years. I loved the idea of the radio business, because over the air, people might like me. My self-image was that bad!

Inside, I felt like a “bubble-boy,” separated from the rest of the world by a self-imposed wall. I never felt like I belonged or could contribute something meaningful to the world. With this mindset, I could do nothing but fail. And fail I did: I lost my job as a DJ and eventually became homeless. I spent the next several years doing menial minimum-wage jobs. I often worked at pizza parlors to be sure I could eat.

In the early 80s, I began a love affair with computers. I would adapt programs to my needs and tear computers apart to see how they worked. At that time I was a professional truck driver. It didn’t occur to me that I could work with computers for a living—it was way too much fun.

In 2000, I found myself homeless again. I felt I had nothing left. I told my case manager that I had nothing going for me. After listening to all I had to say, he asked me what I would really like to do. I told him that I would love to work with computers. He told me I should “go for it.” So I did just that. I took classes on computers and began to practice my love.

Today, I’m living my dream. I teach computer classes, run a small network, and teach computer skills to the staff at Step Up. It has taken awhile to discover, but I feel that not only am I practicing my love every day, but more importantly, I am making a difference!

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