Dear Mr Walker

The Doorstep Mile

Dear Mr Walker

Pedalling away my front door was a big moment. But my most pivotal Doorstep Mile, the one where I truly summoned up the nerve to do what I really wanted to do, had come months earlier. The moment I committed to living adventurously happened sitting at a desk.

It arrived amongst the rush and noise of Biology lessons and lunchtime duties at a secondary school near Oxford. I was a trainee teacher taking my first steps on an interesting, satisfying career ladder. A respectable job, money enough, shedloads of holidays and a nice pension. My mum would be happy.

So I was flattered when the Headmaster offered me a permanent position on the teaching staff. This was it! Acknowledgement that I was good at something. And a meal ticket, road map and safety net for the rest of my life.

I thought hard about the offer for a couple of days, then sat down one evening to write my formal letter of reply.

'Dear Mr. Walker,

I would definitely enjoy working here on a permanent basis…

However, there is so much to see and do in the world…

If I was to settle into teaching now I am sure that I would enjoy it, but there would always be something gnawing at me…

Therefore I have decided that I am going to go ahead with my original plan to take 2 or 3 years cycling around the globe. I believe that my experiences on the road will only serve to improve my teaching skills when I do decide to return to teaching…

Deep down I know that [teaching is] probably the sensible option. However, even deeper down I know that if I have the chance to do something now and do not take it, I may always regret it.

Yours Sincerely…'

Well done, my young me. Well done and thank you!

OVER TO YOU:
Who do you need to write a letter like this to? Write it now. Dare you send it?

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