Grab Your Pony and Ride
Raelyn Barclay mentioned casually on her blog that her mother was a nurse. That little piece of information fascinated me, and I wondered if she ever considered it too.
Every so often I ponder what else I'd like to do with my life. There will never be a life long enough to accomplish all I want, so as I teeter closer to the end than the beginning, I become more and more particular about how I spend my time.
I've been plotting my life's journey since I was a kid. Back then I even wrote down a list of goals, steadfast in my belief that each should occur by a certain age. (Oh, young Maria! You were so naïve.)
Every goal I pined for and put on my little list, I enjoyed. I loved the work. I loved the challenge. But most of all, I loved the ride. You only get one ride on this pony of life and I wanted each step of the way to be worthwhile and fun.
Every goal I pined for and put on my little list, I enjoyed. I loved the work. I loved the challenge. But most of all, I loved the ride. You only get one ride on this pony of life and I wanted each step of the way to be worthwhile and fun.
Some goals I set and attained effortlessly. Like becoming a graphic artist.
Others jumped up out of nowhere and smacked me on the head. That's how I became a writer.
I never expected to be married, yet I married young. I never expected to move across the country, yet that casual decision has taken me on more adventures than I could imagine.
Life's funny that way. No matter how meticulous your goals, Fate has a way of turning your nicely ordered life into a maze of possibilities.
Big goals. Little goals. It makes no difference. Even the smallest benchmark can create major turning points in your life.
I'd like to do some teaching at some point before my time is through--just to be able to pass on what I've learned. Not in a stuffy college, but a hands-on kind of situation where I can talk with people one-on-one. Maybe speaking engagements. Maybe a workshop. For now it's a far off dream, but it's on my punch list.
What's something you'd like to accomplish in this lifetime? What would you put on your list if life gave you a do-over? And out of curiosity...did you ever follow in the footsteps of either parent?
Comments
No, I'm not like either of my parents-- or my siblings for that matter!:)
Watching my dad try to scratch the "I wish I'd done..." type things from his list, I've evaluated my own. My list is pretty damn selfish. I've had a lot of goals. God, more than I could ever keep track of to be honest. But the ones that matter seem to get bumped down.
Now the goal is just to enjoy the ride, as you mentioned. It would be nice to see some goals realized, but the ones I've accomplished are pretty sweet already and the ride has been bumpy, but awesome.
I did follow in my parents' footsteps for a bit, until they shook me out of that insanity.
I guess I sort of followed in my mother's footsteps. Although I joined the Army (neither parent were in the service), I worked as a clerk-typist (she was a typist - medical transcriber, legal secretary, etc.). Now I'm in accounting (and she did bookkeeping at one time) and I write (her artistic output is in knitting).
So he's been planning to go pick fruit or serve coffee in Europe or Australia for half a year.
It's a great goal. The only trouble is that he seems to have forgotten how that will be paid for. >>sidelong glance at my bank account<<
I'm rather impressed with your dad's friend. What a fine person he is to see beyond his own needs and look to others. I hope karma rewards his kindness. And I hope your dad and Court enjoy those fishing trips. He'll be giving her memories to last a lifetime.
Krista: Maybe before he goes to Europe, he might consider getting a job to pay for that trip. I'll be he'll savor it even more.
Clarissa: Europe would be wonderful for any reason!
As for parents, my mom wanted me to be a dentist because that was her unaccomplished goal. I even started college pre-dent...but gained the courage to switch majors by the end of first year. I still don't like going to the dentist lol.
I didn't follow in either of my parents' footsteps. As for goals, I'd like to do writing workshops some day.
And except for marrying and becoming a parent, I haven't followed in my parents footsteps.
As for myself, my mother, rest her soul, often told me she wanted better for me than she'd accomplished herself. I know our lives weren't anyting to write about in Vogue, but she managed to somehow raise three kids, by herslef, worked hard where others worked the system, enstilled work ethics that have stayed with me, and I hope to pass on as well. Her job wasn't Hollywood, but she seemed to like working for her bank. Because I was so set on doing what I could to have her set for life, I can honestly say I would have taken a different path if she'd remained alive. Not sure if I'd be happier or not, but I hoped to be a beast in the business world. Now, I'm more focused on my creativity and pray that my writing will lead to something more positive in my future.
As for my folks - no - I haven't followed in their professions. I was always the creative one, a bit of a cuckoo in the nest. :)
Julie: I blame my list making to an obsessive-compulsive gene. Hubby is my exact opposite. He never made lists, yet he turned out okay too. :)
Sarah: I regret not having grandchildren--but I'm told first I had to have children first and that seemed like too much work. ;-)
Melissa: It seems the thing we loved doing most is often times the thing we put off until last. I would've become an archeologist (while all my body parts were still functioning).
Linda: Now this surprises me. I would've thought you'd have been someone with a mile long list.
Jayne: I hear ya! But then I cheer myself up knowing that I may have accomplished something more slowly than others, but at least I do it well.
I think you'd make an awesome teacher. I think your workshops would be great :)
My mother was a teacher while my father is a farmer. I applied for teacher's college at one stage but they rejected me. In hindsight that was the best thing ever. I doubt I would have managed to travel as much if I'd become a teacher.
If I had my time over I'd probably go into the travel industry. I think I'm good at it! As for future goals, I want to stay as active as possible and enjoy each day to come. Simple stuff.
LG: I've always felt this too. Things happen when they should, and not before.
I spent my teenage years up to age 38 or so, dreaming that I could be a published author. I had give up hope that it would ever happen...until I decided to sweep regret out of the way and give it one last chance. I should have another book published this year, and I just finished the rough draft on a third book, but even if I never publish another thing, I could still go to my just reward without regret.
-Jimmy
Hmmm. Something I still want to do but haven't as of yet?
I can't say. Right now, I'm where I want to be. I'm writing romance novels, branching out into sub-genres and exploring with glee, teaching on the subject of the Jewishness of Jesus and the Bible, mothering grown daughters and managing three sons, and just plain enjoying this season of life. I'm sure the bug will bite me at some point, but for now, I'm content. Ha!
Mike: Since you're a few years older than me, I'm assuming you speak from experience?
Nadja: I think parents have an extra chance at accomplishment just by raising their children to be fine upstanding adults.
And I think you'd be a fab teacher!!
What's something you'd like to accomplish in this lifetime? Hmmm...I'm not sure. Raising four boys to be upstanding and caring men is pretty much it at the moment :)
What would you put on your list if life gave you a do-over? Travel more.
And out of curiosity...did you ever follow in the footsteps of either parent? No, though I have worked with and for my father.
That Man followed in his father's footsteps. For years people asked him if he was FIL's son. Now, FIL gets asked if he's That Man's father :) Love how the tables have turned.
I keep saying I want to be a successful photographer when I grow up - then I realise I've grown up (sort of). Writer was never on my list of things I must do. I just stumbled into that one.
I really want to a travel a lot more...
I'm grateful I realized writing is my true passion at this stage in my life.