So, what do you want to be when you grow up?
Sounds a bit silly, doesn’t it? A child’s question. And we should be well past such things.
But I am not past it. Here at the ripe middle age of 53, I’m still wondering.
So I ask myself, “Buz, what do you want to be when you grow up”
And the honest answer comes to me: “I’m still not quite sure.”
You see, I’m no guru. I’m a searcher, just like you. I’m on a quest…a lifelong quest.
Reading Paulo Coelho’s book, The Alchemist, I have fallen in love with his phrase for it.
He calls it (what you want to be) your Personal Legend. I’ve been given glimpses into my Personal Legend. My quest has led me to work on Viral Happiness. It’s led to my writing two ebooks and filling notebooks with reams and reams of unpublished material.
But I long for my Legend to break forth into my psyche like a bright, guiding star. I want a beacon in my life. I long for clarity. Maybe you do, too.
One of the ways that I intend to encourage that breakthrough is to blog more and write more and (selectively) read more. Maybe you would like to join me.
You could start by reading The Alchemist. Offer a comment here or by email about your own personal journey. Let’s start a dialogue that may lead to a deeper realization of our Personal Legends.
Answering that question – What do you want to be when you grow up – is important business. Let’s start fresh giving it the time and effort it deserves.
We are imminently worth it.
{ 8 comments }
Hi Buz,
Well, I do like that languaging. Personal Legend. Huh.
I have done some work on tightening up who I want to be when I grow up. For the most part, I’m doing it. I’m just not making as much money doing it as I would like! My life is actually pretty good and I feel like I’m on track. My daughter died a year ago from cancer and so my life has changed dramatically. I’m living alone for the first time since I was 21 years old and got married. (My 12 year old dog died Thanksgiving weekend, so my home is REALLY empty now.) And I’m out of bed and dressed every day, and mostly productive and happy with how I’m being productive. In addition to my “jobs”, I’m writing for the first time in my life and have 3 books in the works.
I don’t believe that there is only one answer for who I want to be when I grow up. For me, there have been phases. The first was Pam, the nurse. I was happy and loved my life. Then there was time for a change. I was Pam, the massage therapist. Now it seems I’m more Pam, the writer. (although I’m still doing both the nursing and the massage therapy!)
Thank you for the post. I’ll look up The Alchemist. It sounds life a good read for me now.
Pam
Pam, your story, written in your blog comment, is full of information and inspiration to help me and others. You will love the Alchemist, because it teaches that you have to live your journey (mom, nurse, massage therapist, etc). Please accept my condolences for the loss of your daughter last year. Also, I have two miniature schnauzers and a loving mutt, so I know the companionship one feels for dogs. You seem to be strong in the face of loss, and tht is a life lesson in itself. Thank you for sharing with me.
Buz
P.S. Let me know what you think of The Alchemist
Hi Buz,
When I awoke this morning and read your latest post, I really felt relief. Last night, I was pretty restless in my sleep, pondering these very things you’ve written about. My life has gone through many phases, and yet I sense the Personal Legend, the call, the nudge, the urge, if you will.
Thank you, Buz, for your insight and your wisdom, and for nudging me along!
Blessings,
Todd
Thank you, Todd – you are a continual blessing to me. I am proud to have you as a friend as we explore our own personal journeys.
Buz
Hi Buz,
One of the books that I am writing is called “The Journey”. a novel about one woman’s travels through life. I resonate well with the concept of a journey. I have ordered The Alchemist from Amazon, so I’ll be reading it soon. Thanks for the recommendation. Very synchronistic for me.
Pam
Pam
I look forward to hearing about “The Journey.” And please let me know what you think of The Alchemist.
Buz
Hi Buz
This is a very insightful post. This is a question I have been asking myself a lot recently and I think it comes down to the feelings that many of us really want to experience in our lives. For me that is Love, laughter, fun and connectedness with the special people that mean most to me in my life.
Part of my journey recently has been to come to terms with me and begin to like and accept me- as a human being. In doing that I have been more joyful and have been able to naturally spread more joy to others.
I think that there is a deep craving in many of us that “when we grow up” we will be able to offer the LOVE to our fellow human beings, especially our family and close loved ones, that maybe we felt was sadly lacking in our childhood.
“When we grow up” we can learn to love and accept “the child within” and then approach life from a place of spontaneous joy, wonder, curiosity, laughter and fun that small children have – so we almost go back round in a full circle.
Amanda
Excellent insight, Amanda! Thanks for sharing.
Buz