Being and Becoming

In 2007, I took one of those major gambles in life that can have future-altering consequences. I chose to leave a full-time position teaching legal writing at a small law school in Detroit in the hopes that I could land in a Ph.D. program in Toronto and eventually earn a true tenure-track position teaching traditional doctrinal subjects like constitutional law. For the past year and more, it seemed like a pretty foolish decision: my job search went almost nowhere for quite some time and it was hard not to become discouraged and depressed. Once out of academia, I couldn't seem to find a way back in and it began to seem like I had blown my one chance. I was even planning to write a not-too-self-pitying blog post about how gambles don't always pay off, but that you should never regret gambling on yourself.

But life has a funny sense of humor, so long after I had given up on the idea and started planning to be a stay-at-home dad for a few years and then figure out another career, an application I had sent in months before and forgotten about pans out.

So, now I'm moving to Australia to become a law professor. It's the culmination of everything I've been working for over the past several years, and I am frankly ecstatic about it! I'll be teaching doctrinal courses like I've always wanted, have a course load that will allow me to continue research and writing, and, if all goes well over the next several years, I'll have the chance to earn the security for me and my family that comes with a tenured position. The people I've been communicating with at the law school have been gracious and welcoming, and the school is paying for our flights, moving expenses, temporary accommodation, etc.

Taking advantage of the opportunity does come with new challenges. Moving to another continent is a major undertaking from a logistics point of view, even if we're not moving until January. The Wife is sacrificing nearness to her cats and Kingston relatives, while our parents are sacrificing nearness to their grandson. I'm taking on the responsibility of learning a whole new legal system and becoming the family's breadwinner for the first time in years.

But despite these challenges, I know this is the right decision. Although I don't believe in fate or destiny, I do believe that there's a certain life I want to lead and a certain role in the world I want to have. This is it.