Saturday, October 24, 2009

Missed clues to fulfilling a dream

I think I've discovered the key to fulfilling one's life...one's dream of what you really want to be.

I started thinking about why I have such a deep and great love for music and the people that create it; in all forms, shapes, styles, and fashion.  Many, many, oh so many, years ago when I was about four or five I had my first memorable chance to answer the question "What do you want to be when you grow up?" I remember my answer like it was yesterday because quite frankly, I've thought about my answer often ever since the words "I wanna be a drummer" popped out of my mouth.

The phrase "out of the mouth of babes" (which I discovered was derived from an excerpt from a bible verse actually) has always been one of my favorites because babies and children hold a knowledge and an insight that we as adults have forgotten or lost.  So what if....What if my very first answer was a message to myself?

I think it's a bit too late for me to pursue career as a  a musician, but I can certainly identify and recall the passion I had as a child for the idea, the wish, the dream.  I'm also more inclined to think about asking a child that question with the goal to record it for them and relay it to them from time to time as they grow.

When I had this realization, I immediately ask my oldest daughter; now at the start of her college search, what it was that she wanted to be when she was much younger and she could recall three things. Interestingly enough, these are the same three things she's been considering for some time even in adolescence.  I instructed her to pursue all of them and in time one (or more right? Why restrict ourselves.) would spark the passion she once had and has now lost.

I challenge you all to try this exercise.  Try to remember your very first memory of what you wanted to be when you grew up.  Any traces of this premonition appear periodically in your life?  I'm curious.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

A Skeptic's Guide to Love...An Update

One picture says it all...For the full background story click here