Graduate high school, get into college for teaching, find my future husband, get married, get a great teaching job, get a house, have kids by age 27-29.
My junior year of high school I was featured on our 'early show' at school, where the 'hostess' asked me what my life dream was... to which I replied "get married and have kids." There's NOTHING at all wrong with that. That's a great dream if it's what you really want...but it's not a great dream if it was just something 'easy' and 'seemed good.' Have you thought about your dreams? What are they? Do they follow the 'social norm'? If so, do you think you follow this goal because it's what YOU want? ... or is it what everyone else would want (and therefore, if they're happy, then you're satisfied?)
Don't be afraid to live in colors and zig zags and loop-dee-loops! Live life like a rollercoaster, take risks which will provide you with the highest highs and maybe the lowest lows... you'll learn a LOT about yourself... and at the end of the ride, don't you want to say, "Phew! What fun! What an adventure!"
taken from zazzle.com
Some people were truly made to become moms and dads. There are wonderful, motivated, goal-driven people out there who truly find their peace & happiness in following the 'norm' and getting a great job and having a family. And they're AWESOME at it! That's great! Keep it Up! But if this isn't you, then dare to go off the path to follow YOUR dreams! Face the questions- "When are you getting a good job? A family? Where are you headed? " ... I know, sometimes it hurts to get these questions, but just think - are you keeping your head above water? We 'abby-normals' may have to tread water, while the 'normal' peeps float ... but if the treading brings you happiness & a healthy mind and body- then it's worth it!
I suppose what fueled this post, was the fact that I just moved in with my Grandma on Sunday. I LOVE Grandma! She is super cool, and I'm very happy to be sharing time and space with her. But, 10 years ago, would I have imagined that i'd be living with her or my parents at the age of 25? Probably not. I also don't have a boyfriend, and my job is working on the family farm. No teaching, no husband, no kids, no 'own' place.
You make sacrifices to live out the life you love.
How did my (only) dream of getting married and having kids, change? I didn't dream that change. In the above paragraphs I ask, "What's your goals? your dreams?" ... But, sometimes I truly think these terms are silly. The "Dream" term seems so... I dunno... drifty? Weightless? I think recognizing opportunity is even more important.
Let's face it. I will never be an Olympic swimmer. Or a Playboy Bunny. Or a writer for Vogue. Yeah, I had dreams of making the Olympics in track back in high school... but, when It came down to it... I was going to REALLY have to put in major effort & get connected with some elite-caliber (and $$$) trainers to make that dream come true. I didn't have the $$$ and wasn't willing to sacrifice my 'free time' to make that goal.... not to mention I wasn't naturally gifted with an Olympic-Track-athlete-caliber bod.
I've done a number of things in the past 4 years. To say that I dreamed to live in Australia, to travel and serve the USA with AmeriCorps, to bicycle across the USA, or train with the U.S. Elite Development Skeleton team ... well, it would be a bit of a lie. I didn't really dream to do any of these things. They just 'happened.' But they didn't 'just happen' by twiddling my thumbs either, either. For instance:
* A good friend went to Australia. Well, Hmm! That sounds pretty cool, maybe i'll apply for that. Ta-Da! Aussie Bound.
* Sitting in my apartment in Australia, on the internet, I discovered AmeriCorps. Great way to put off the real-world (especially since I wasn't convinced that teaching is reallllly what I wanted)... and Ta-Da! I smiled through the phone on my interview, and happily accepted the position. It all happened in a couple months.
* While in AmeriCorps I met people bicycling across the USA while I was in Baton Rouge. They were having FUN! And doing good for the community. Hmm - raise $4,000? ok. i'll make it happen.
* I get a phone call from an AmeriCorps teammate - "Wanna bobsled with my high school friend? She's competing in 2 weeks in Utah and she'll pay your way" ... never. EVER. would I have imagined I would be bobsledding. Next thing I know, I ask to try skeleton, and now I'm well on my way to international competition.
Opportunity, OPPORTUNITY, O.P.P.O.R.T.U.N.I.T.Y!!! TAKE EVERRRRRY OPPORTUNITY! And I promise, when you bring a good attitude everywhere you go - the amount of opportunities that are presented to you will escalate to the stars! Let people see you shine! In the words of one of my favorite authors:
"A person who has good thoughts cannot ever be ugly. You can have a wonky nose and a crooked mouth and a double chin and stick-out teeth, but if you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely." ~Roald Dahl
Look Lovely! Be Lovely! Look for opportunities, and they will look for you! Unsure of the sacrifices involved? Well, apply anyway! You'll have time to really mull over the details if the time should come. Don't settle. Unhappy in your current job? What do you really want to do? Write a list: How to make 'What I Really Want,' to happen. Then do a pro's and con's list. And then look back to the reason why you even started this list. I'm not saying that if you're a mom of young kids and want to backpack Europe, that you should sacrifice time with your kids...(or literally sacrifice the kids)...heck no. But - plan for when they turn 18! Or how can you get a job opportunity, or maybe a missions trip, that has you in Europe for a week? There are ways to make things happen... creativity can be key.
HAhaha well... apparently i'm feeling all profound & stuff. I just get tired of people saying "Oh Leisl, I wish I could do that" ... and the thing is, about 70% of the people CAN! It's the sacrifice, and going against the parents, that always seems to stop them. I wish some of my friends would try some of the things i've experienced - I've been very blessed with great opportunities, beautiful people, and an A-D-D spirit. Oh the things they would see, and learn, and love!!!
