Thursday, September 20, 2012

What do you want to be when you grow up?

What were your hopes, and dreams as a child or teenager? What did you think your life would look like? Did it turn out the way you expected? Did you find something else along the way that excited you, and became your new passion? Does it did matter if you followed your dream?

I do not remember what I wanted to be when I was little. I probably said I wanted to be a nurse because my mom was a nurse. This quickly changed when I would be apprehensive, in swimming lessons, about learning artificial respiration. I nixed the medical profession, as a career, early on. I enjoyed playing my clarinet, and being part of Concert Band, and Community Band in high school, but my father discouraged a musical career/education, and I did not push it. For a while, I fantasized about being a professional photographer, but that was more of a dream of glamour.

A few years back, I thought if I could do it all over again, I would have trained to be a jazz singer. I was taking a singing course at the time, and felt inspired. Also, there were several women with science or engineering degrees who were making livings as singers. Every now and again I think, maybe I could write some quirky children's songs, like They Might Be Giants, but in French. I have no song writing experience though.

I enjoyed university, eventually. I started off in engineering, but realized it was not for me. I liked my biology courses, but only found my stride after I graduated with my science degree, and came back for an unclassified semester. I did well in Forestry, but there were few job opportunities when I completed that degree. I enjoy being a teacher too, but cannot seem to find permanent work. If I could teach a group of highly motivated, hard-working students, I think it would be my dream job, but a class like that is hard to find nowadays.

So, I struggle to find something satisfying to do with my life. I enjoy cooking, and nutrition, but would these be a career path? Would working with food destroy my love of it? I suposse the same could be said about many passions. I love being a mother to my children, despite how infuriating it can be at times, but my son will be starting school soon. Then, what do I do? My current irrational work fantasy is being a chocolatière, with quirky combinations in my truffles, and locally sourced ingredients. I need to come up with something I can actually do.

 

No comments:

Post a Comment