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When you are younger, you are so frequently asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Our first response at this age was just what we loved to do the most, or what we admired. For me it was to be an artist, singer, or teacher. Those were the people I looked up to, and the things I never tired of. They were things integrated in my day to day life in some form of play or imagination.
As we start to grow older and different things start to influence us, the question gets a little more complicated, and we begin to formulate in our minds what we picture ourselves doing, or rather what we think we should be doing. More often than not, our life’s course takes a different path than our initial desire as a child. Sometimes this is a choice, and sometimes it is a result of a series of circumstances. For me it was a little of both. What about you? …
I don’t think I ever answered the question of what I wanted to be as “mother” or “graphic designer” or “blogger.” However, I realized that each of these things does involve a good deal of artistry and motherhood is a good deal of teaching….those initial first loves. I think as you grow older you realize there is a balance of choice and purpose, and that it can affect how we impact the world around us or how we let the world impact us.
I celebrated with these hard working women in recent headlines. The USA Women’s soccer team’s national championship, and Misty Copeland’s promotion as the first African American woman to become a principal dancer for the American Ballet Theatre. It had me wishing I could sit down with them and discuss when they decided that is what they wanted to be, and how it affected the outcome of their ultimate goal. Determination and desire are surely closely synced, but I also believe we each have a purpose in this world that is not replaceable by anyone else, and that if we arrive at that purpose, we have no need to continue the search of what we want to be, but the question becomes how can I be the best version of myself. That is the only thing Gabe and I are hoping we can help our children understand. It doesn’t matter so much what you become so long as you have found the purpose of your life.
Thoughts? I’d love to hear….did you become what you always thought you would be? Are you still figuring it out? I am always fascinated by each person’s story. I want to hear yours!
Happy weekend!
Anna
