I’ve been reflecting a lot lately on what I should be doing with my life and work. My 8 to 5 job has been more stress than joy and it’s time to plan for the next career. There is one certainty: no more of the same. Everything else is up for grabs. The ideal is to work anywhere, anytime – work that is portable and allows for travel and adventure. So how do I find my true calling? Work that allows me to be in a flow state – that taps into my passion? What is my passion, my strength? So many interests. Which one leads to income?
Head back to childhood dreams – that time in life when anything and everything was possible. What did I do; what did I aspire to? How many times did I infuriate my mother by taking things apart to discover how they worked? There was a passion to learn and experiment. I wanted to be an astronaut and a doctor. Always the teacher when playing school and loved to write and draw and read. Enjoyed athletic pursuits and competition. Could never get enough of the beach or of any kind of water. And I was always in the kitchen – tweaking recipes to suit my taste. Wow, I was eclectic as a kid too!
Now, what is important to me as an adult? Family, relationships, purpose, learning, discovery. Don’t want to be doctor any longer. The astronaut has been replaced with intrepid motorcycle adventurer. Okay, so I won’t get to the moon on a motorcycle this year…
I still love to cook and if I’m not learning, I’m suffocating. Maybe an inventor – the next Edison or DaVinci? Most days I feel as though there is some creative genius bottled up inside me just waiting for expression. Other days I just feel dull. Find myself in the flow state most often when I am learning, creating, or discovering – or at the beach. I’ve always had a secret desire to be a writer, but ended up with degrees in chemical engineering and education. I’m keenly interested in design-how things work and contribute to a greater whole. Lately, I’ve been experimenting with healthy eating and simple living that also reduces impact to the environment. My greatest achievement so far is raising my daughters so that they are all self-reliant, confident young women ready to make unique contributions to this world.
So what is the common thread here? I see discovery, learning, and nurturing. What do you see? What were your childhood dreams and how close you are to living them now?
The very fact that you’re still thinking about what you want to do next – that you’re not settling for the familiar and safe – is wonderful. I enjoyed reading this entry. You are a gifted writer.
Hey Kathy, you and I have a lot in common. We would have made great childhood friends! My mom was always having to deal with me taking apart everything. Unfortunately I didn’t always know how to put it all back together.
As you said, “I see discovery, learning, and nurturing.” These are all essential items when you’re goal is to live life to the fullest. Great stuff and thanks for sharing a little insider info on your childhood.
– Eric
Vered: Thanks for the encouragement.
Eric: Oh the joy of learning and discovery! Curious minds just have to figure it out. It sounds like we both have the learn by doing gene. Thanks for sharing.