:: untitled – susan tuttle ::
LAST WEEK we discussed the lies and implications of the ever-present question of childhood “What do you want to be when you grow up?” And I proposed a new question, a better question to ask not only kids but ourselves:
WHO DO YOU WANT TO BE AS YOU GROW?
:: mirror – bird heart ::
THE FORMER places all the importance on achievement and the external; the latter places all the importance on spirit and personality, on heart and soul.
WHO WE ARE CHANGES, grows and evolves as we walk through life. What we are is merely a goal checked off a list, a piece of paper declaring our proficiency or a paycheck announcing our “worth.” And while goals and achievements are fine and have their place in society and feelings of self-worth, I’ve come to realize who I am is far, far more important to myself, my loved ones and the world in general than what I do.
I WANT to be measured by the love and joy I give, not my career or my bank statement.
WHO DO I WANT TO BE AS I WALK THROUGH THIS LIFE?
:: and the dolphins bared their backs of gold – susan tuttle ::
FIFTEEN YEARS AGO my answers would be vastly different from today’s. Vastly. I was too busy running, too busy hiding from myself, my potential and my pain. My soul, my I am, was adrift in a sea of sadness and cynicism. In all honesty I was so lost, confused and hurting I don’t think I would have been able to answer the question with any degree of honesty or certainty. In fact I don’t think I would have been able to answer it five years ago. But not anymore.
I’VE LEARNED AND GROWN so much over the past five years and now I’ve unfurled my sails, found a good tailwind and am finally learning how to use my rudder. And while I still feel uncertain at times, I am no longer adrift. I know who I want to be and I know where I want to go.
SO WHO DO I WANT TO BE AS I GROW?
:: grace – susan tuttle ::
I WANT TO BE someone worth knowing; someone who brings out the best in people; someone who makes the world a better place by filling it with as much love and laughter as I possibly can; someone who contributes to the good in the world.
I WANT TO BE someone that spreads love, laughter, kindness, beauty and passion like a virus – I want to infect everyone I meet.
I WANT TO BE someone who is brave enough to speak what’s in my heart; someone brave enough to love fiercely without fear of abandonment or rejection; someone who is brave enough to be vulnerable.
I WANT TO BE someone who lives and appreciates a life of quiet simplicity (but who still has adventures) surrounded by the people I love; a kind and loving wife to a kind and loving husband who are both kind and loving parents to a kind and loving child.
I WANT TO BE someone who is patient enough to teach and wise enough to learn; someone who knows when to fight to hold on; someone who knows when to let go.
I WANT TO BE someone who is all those things and who becomes them in my own unique, quiet and loving way.
THIS IS WHO I WANT TO BE.
:: soft choirs – susan tuttle ::
AND NOW I pose the same question to you. Screw your New Year’s resolutions. We all know that 99% of the time they’re total bullshit. This year ask yourself this question and answer it with your heart full of truth and love. Answer it and then become the person your soul wants you to be.
WHO DO YOU REALLY WANT TO BE AS YOU GROW THROUGH THIS LIFE?
Kisses & Chaos,
Alli Woods Frederick
PS – I would love to hear your answers. Leave them in the comments or share a link to your blogged response. Let’s become our true selves in 2014 with all the love, hope and bravery it entails.
