I was digging in a box and came across one of my scrapbooks that my mom made with things from when I was a little kid. There were things like valentine cards from kindergarten, birthday cards, report cards and a few of my early drawings.
One drawing must have been an assignment from kindergarten. The caption on the drawing is "I want to be a farm girl".
Most likely is was a prompt "What do you want to be when you grow up?"
Thinking about it now, kids are asked...what do you want to be?
Firemen, police officer, teacher, scientist, mail carrier.....
Not one of us ever thought...
I want to be happy.
We were pushed into career choices at such a young age. We gear our education towards a career. We aim for a career.
We never aim to be happy.
For most of my life, I have battled severe depression. I have attempted careers. None have resulted in happiness. Some have resulted in the feeling of failure.
Why aren't we encouraging our children to be happy?
I remember my mother's reaction about wanting to be a farm girl. She said that I really didn't want to be one. I should be someone who makes money and support myself. Happiness was never a thought. If she would have just said, just as long as you are happy, that is what is important.
Looking back on some of my "life choices", I realize that they really weren't my own choices.
I really wanted to go to school to mold my creativity into something that would give me joy..... happiness.
If you are happy, are you really poor?
Now I am spending a majority of my time creating. I work long hours and give up plans in order to finish an idea. I lost my job but so far, I am able to support myself.
I may not be entirely happy, but it is a start.
