A football player. A fire fighter. A ballerina, doctor, politician, lawyer, or President of the USA.
We all had our answer. To the question. Concerning some far off world. Where all our dreams and talents converged into the rest of amazing adult lives.
When my Aunt asked me about Future Adult Paul, I confidently told her I was going to play professional baseball. For the Colorado Rockies. But I was a bit of a realist even then. So I had a Plan B. If baseball didn’t work out, I told her I planned on winning the lottery. She laughed. And laughed. And laughed.
What was so funny?
Then college comes and goes. And you realize. You start figuring the odds. You see how many people want the same dream. How many people can dance more gracefully, swing the bat better, solve the problem quicker. Your Aunt asks again. This time at your graduation party. You don’t know what to tell her.
“So what do you do?” It’s our conversation starter. Our flint. We hope it sparks a picture of this person. What job is you? A tough answer when your job, or lack of job, is any thing but.
But is this even the right question?
What are we going to be when we grow up? Not what are we going to do, what profession are we going to follow or keep on following, what niche are we going to occupy in the order of things. But are we going to be – inside ourselves and among ourselves? Fredrick Buechner
We are obsessed with doing. What about our being? Apart from any label, any name tag you might slap across your chest. In whatever space you occupy, who will you be?
Who will I really be?
Huh, good question.
6 Comments
Wow…deep thoughts today. I might sit and ponder this for awhile. Good stuff.
P.S. I was going to be the first woman president of the u.s. So glad I got over that idea.
Lesley I don’t think you should get over that dream too quickly. First, you’d make an excellent President. Second, the jump from PR to the Pres isn’t that far.
Nice to hear about other’s who have experienced similar career doubts and lived to tell the tale. Frankly, the odds are stacked against us in making a successful career choice in our early 20s… but it’s never too late to get it right! blog on!
Sadly, I don’t think I know the answer to either question.
I was going to be a movie star. There are a lot of things you can’t understand when you’re little, I think the most important things in your life are your relationships with other people. If you can change even one persons life for the better…that is what is important.
Thats hilarious I just wrote a whole blog post about what I want to be “when I grow up.” no clue honestly. haha.
I just wanted to say that your blog is great. Im glad i found it!