When You Were A Child Who Did You Want To Be When You Grew Up?
A teacher once told me that curiosity is the basis of intelligence and I believed her then and now. Because when we ask a question we are searching for the truth about each other, our surroundings, and ourselves and thats clever.
However, keep in mind that I was an inquisitive little girl who was constantly asking questions. For example, I asked my teacher one time, “How come the Indians taught us how to grow corn after we took their land away from them?”
After which a boy in our class remarked, “Why do you let Ann ask so many dumb questions?”
Then the children in the classroom began to snicker and softly mutter, “Yeah” to their friends, at which point I wished I were a fly floating around in a stew or squished against the wall somewhere.
Hence, my teacher would say, “curiosity is the basis of intelligence” in my defense for the unkind remark, uttered by the same boy my friends and I never added to our “cute boys” list.
And look what I’m doing now…hmmm…I wish I could send my heckler a book of my Tuesday’s Questions posts~ Wouldn’t that be a gas? Because, frankly, I’ve never stopped asking questions, although I know it drives everyone around me crazy. But I can’t help it, it’s just my nature, my friends and family complain about it and wonder why I have to know everything…but I wonder why they don’t want to know more.
Anyway, if my nameless enemy received a book of Tuesday’s Questions it would probably end up on the floor to house train his dog, but let’s hope he would see my article and laugh, and be happy I kept asking questions, in addition to grateful he was never one of the top coolest guys.
But maybe he’s reading this now and wondering what today’s Tuesday’s Question will be…
Personality traits show up early in our lives that we're reminded of when we get older. For example, have you ever remembered or were reminded of a memory of yourself at an early age and thought, “that sounds like me now.” That’s because it is you, now and then, early on before you grew into your grownup self. When you were a kid you may have wondered how to act or be for others…before becoming the person you are today. You can find your authentic self in memories from childhood or anytime because now you are on the outside looking in from a different perspective.
For example, my compassion and concern for the Indians in the first grade was a real question coming from the same person who is writing this now, and I’m also the same person who would tell our house keeper when I came home from kindergarten that I had to teach the class when the teacher was sick….
It was a lie, but it was also a story, and I never knew why I felt compelled to tell these stories and have make believe friends. I knew I was going to be a writer in the first grade- I remember wanting to learn how to spell the word author and insisted on learning all about what it meant to be one.
Although, I never let anyone know because I didn’t want to be “an author” it seemed bookish and uncool- When grown-ups asked me I always made something up, like a veterinarian or teacher, etc…professions I felt others would approve of or think I could be. Many of us deny our true selves in an effort to be more acceptable to our family, community, or friends.
My brother recently sent me an article about a writer who wrote about how she lied when she was a little girl, and always wondered why- the article reminded my brother of me, and what is interesting is I think I’ve blogged about that before, but my brother never read the post. Of course, my brother does know I’m a writer, but he didn’t know I was a liar too, or did he?
The point I’m trying to make is who did you want to be when you grew up, not anyone else, just you… the true you- my brother knew the true me.
Questions are about the search for truth in others in addition to learning about ourselves.
So who did you really want to be when you grew up- I mean the real you- a farmer, drummer, cowboy, etc...
13 comments:
When I was little I didn't want to do the run of the mill things women were required to do. You know nurses, secretaries and the like. If you tried for anything outside that scope the men would be angry that you were taking the jobs they needed to feed their families. I wanted to do anything I wanted without the typical rules for women that I grew up hating.
My first idea was go into the military. Well, I graduated high school in 1969 and those females that went into the service basically were secretaries or worked in the office filing papers. So, I gave up that idea.
For some years I was a waitress and then a bartender, but this wasn't what I wanted to do either. There just wasn't a future here for me. No retirement plans and well...it wasn't very impressive. The tips were great, but the pay wasn't all that much.
When I was 26 a friend talked me into applying for the Sheriff's Department. I didn't want to be a cop, but I was sick of what I was doing so I applied. I passed the testing and my background and approximately six months after I applied I was hired.
I spent the next 25 years doing exactly what I was meant to do. It is not the typical job and it takes the right kind of people to work in this environment. I can't imagine doing anything other than the profession I finally I had come to love.
There were lots of firsts for me. I was the first female sergeant to be transferred to an all male facility (Men's Jail) and that was even better. I was the first female sergeant to run inmate programs. I was the first female lieutenant to run a lock up (Men's Honor Farm). I came full circle when I was the first female lieutenant to run the Men's Jail (a maximum security facility). I had gone full circle.
I was one of the fortunate few that worked my way up through the ranks and because of that I was able to retire a bit sooner because of those extra benefits. Because of those 25 years I'm now doing what I've always wanted to do. Whatever I want.
Hmm i think you are right Ann. I was a little goofball as a kid and now I'm a big goofball. Maturity? maybe later.
Interesting question, "Who" did you want to be, not "what" did you want to be.
I so agree our basic personalities are established way early in life. I, too, was inquisitive, and since I can remember wanted to be a doctor just like my dad. I eventually did. But that's mostly the "what."
The "who" becomes clearer to me in my middle age, as I actually DO grow up! I want to be helpful, connected, friendly, a positive force, honest. I'm sure I wanted that even as a child. And for the most part, I think it has happened. Just don't ask my ex! ; )
Well said, as usual, and proving my point, that people often end up doing what we are truly meant to do.
In your case, it's as though you had to go through a series of jobs to find your place in the world. We're all meant to do something, and I think that something is always in our hearts whether we tap into it or not- I'm glad that you found yours because I think some people never do.
When you were writing about what women were required to do in you first paragraph, I thought about what the doctor who delivered my son told me toward the end of my pregnancy. I needed to take a few days off and cut my shifts down to eight hours as opposed to 12, which was fine with the Sheriffs Office they just needed a note from my doctor.
But when I went to get it from him he said, "This is why women shouldn't work in jobs that were meant for men. I didn't get the excuse, and had to quit working at the office.
I will never forget it Sandee. Because I spent the first six weeks home with my baby job hunting, and ended up going through every dime of my savings.
However, looking back I probably would have ended up getting someone killed, my ex-husband hated me working there so we fought all the time, etc.. Bottom line is that it wasn't what I was put on this earth to do -third generation or not.
I really believe we're all exactly where we're supposed to be or we're on our way there~ :))
I Love ya and thank you again for answering Tuesday's Question, my dear friend~
And I enjoyed reading your comment as I know others will too~
Have a good evening~
Big bear hug~ Ann
ferdc, Interesting answer as well- Thank you for showing me a different way to use and look at interchangeable words, plus, I think your marksmanship improved my post. You got my point across with apparent ease, and used less space doing it.
Well, I say with apparent ease, you could have been pulling your hair out and swinging around in your office chair, but it didn't show.
Not like me, who blames it on whatever scroll box is handy. For example, "They never give you enough room to write actual words, etc..
Anyway, I also spent time thinking about 'what' in the early years, but dismissed it, then I thought about 'who' for a long long time, until I returned to 'who' again... actually I think all of our 'what's' could be 'who's' but I know what you mean. They are interchangeable, or can be the same. A writer is who or what I am and a doctor is who or what you are in a profession I mean...
But I know what you mean about how you can find out who and what you are at the same time, I did.
Thank you for a great post...I mean comment, I mean conversation...
I'm truly happy you commented on your first Tuesday's Question. I hope I didn't confuse you too bad-
Cheers~ And come back tomorrow if you have time to find out who and what people wanted to be when or if they've grown up~ :))
Have a great evening. (Smile)
Ann
Great question here Ann.
My answer changes from one span to the next ... so to speak.
When I was:
5~10, baseball player.
10~13, a bike racer
13~15, motorcyle racer
15~NOW, golfer
I am still working on the golf thing, just a lot harder in the last couple of years.
Why not pursue goals with the positive attitude I had as a kid, and why not keep trying? It's nice to have a dream ... even if it is not meant to be.
Looks like I am very sports driven here, Ann - I never realized that before.
Whistling a tune while blogging down the road ..... (Carpenters again)
Sogeshirtguy, Yeah, I keep thinking that maybe I'm grown up but when I mingle with grown-ups, I think, "What are earth are they talking about? I mean are we on the same planet?"
By the way, I like your swing set~ :))
And thanks for the comment and really cool kind words you left in my message box at Entrecard. I saw your comment, I just haven't had a chance to get back to you, so I'm going to Entrecard right now while I'm thinking about it and write you back .
Have a great evening~
Ann
Speedy, Thank you, I'm glad you like the question. Yes, I agree we should pursue our dreams with the same passion we did when we were kids. You never know where the road is leading us, so if you stopped dreaming you just might miss out on something good. :))
It sounds like you've learned every sport you wanted to and enjoyed it. I don't know about you, but when I get to what I hope are pearly white gates, I want to know I had a good time and did my best- because that's what champions do- their best.
I just returned from your blog and was blown away by your kindness. It might not seem like it, but it took me forever to write a comment I was so touched. Thank you Eric.
Plus, Thanks for remembering to sing the song- I sang mine at 3:0 on Saturday and it was Yellow Brick Road, by Elton John, I don't know why, and after you left this comment I went to the store to get cat food, and because you said Carpenters, I got "Don't You Remember You Told Me You Love Me Baby." I think I might do that every Saturday, what do you think? Or what does anybody who may be reading this comment think. Well, you'll have to go back to Saturday's post to know what we're talking about I guess.
Oh well, Eric I'll try it then~
And thank you, thank you, and thank you my friend for everything~
Hugs~ Ann
I still have no idea of what I want to do but I know it has something to do with children. After high school while I was going to modeling school my company sent me to get a degree for legal secretary...so I got married at nineteen..quit to take care of my son born 9 months two weeks and four days later..whew..then I divorced early and did a succession of jobs..but wherever I went I gravitated towed the children..finally when my first grandchild was born..I took care of her..then the second and the third...they are the very best part of my life...they are all bright well adjusted children..and I think in part it's because I had an influence on them too.
Oh yeah I wanted to be president...and I know for a fact I would be more suited to it then georgie boy..
I wanted to be Indiana Jones when I was a kid. And still kind of want that now.
Mauniejames3, Your comment is hilarious, and I think you're definitely right, your calling has something to do with children.
It seem like people move away from their passion or dream for a awhile, but always end up gravitating back. You're grandchildren are mighty lucky to have such a devoted grandmother, and I too believe how they turn out has a lot to do with the time you spend with them.
Thanks for another great comment~ :)) And I'm sorry I'm behind on posting your comments I shall have them up sometime Thurs. I promise. I've a tone of doctors appointments lately, and it would be nice if they would go by my schedule, but when I suggested it at the appointment desk they looked at me as if I were crazy- so whats a girl to do?
Anyway, all of your wonderful comments will be posted by Thurs. afternoon.
Thanks again Mauniejames3
Ann
c.r. evers, I know it really wouldn't be bad to be Indiana Jones, except for the snakes. However, I think Batman would be better, because I wouldn't have to fly or anything and the accommodation's seem better for some reason.
By the way, congratulations on your article in Kidz Wonder Online Magazine. I just read about it on your blog, but I will definitely go and read it, also I applied for a subscription.
Cheers~ You're on your way~
Thanks for a great comment~
Ann
Thank you everyone and your fantastically fantastic weekly comments will be posted Thurs, so come see, o.k.?
I hope all of you are having a wonderful week~
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