Let them dream big crazy dreams!

Months ago I heard a story about an elementary school that was hosting a career day for students. The students were to dress up as someone would in their dream career. I am familiar with this because my daughter's school had such an event when she was in 1st grade. Ellie went as a "sewer." In her 6-year-old mind, a sewer was not an underground system of pipes carrying vile smelling sewage to a treatment plant.  To her, it was a sew-er. As in a person who sews. Maybe a tailor or a fashion designer. But, try as I might, those titles didn't fit the essence of her chosen career and she went to school as a sewer. She was so excited about her chosen profession so who was I to change her dream.

But, changing dreams is exactly what this one elementary school attempted to do. They sent home a note that informed parents that children should come to school dressed in line with "realistic" careers. That meant no pro ball players, no rockstars, no YouTube stars. The principal said these were unrealistic ambitions.

https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/whats-on/family-kids-news/school-dream-job-dress-up-14171149

So, wait a minute? This principal determined what was unrealistic for his students? Is it because his or her own ambitions to be an Olympian failed? Was he or she rejected for the space program? I say, "Let kids DREAM!" 

We need to let our children imagine what they can become! If they want to be a sewer - let them go for it! When I was a child, I wanted to be a dolphin trainer. And, I loved believing that's what I would do. When I got to college my ideas on careers had changed but no one ever begrudged my desire to ride on a dolphin's back as it sails through the water. My son wants to play for the NFL. He wants to attend Lousiana State University and study law while playing college ball. After college, he hopes to get drafted. If he doesn't, he will have his degree. I hope he plays for the NFL. I love that his dreams are lofty. Maybe he will change his mind and want to be an astrophysicist or a dog trainer. Whatever he wants to do with his life he should do! And he should be allowed to dream about the future in any way he chooses.

My daughter's dreams sway though she has moved away from sewer. One day she wants to be a famous actress and another she will want to be a teacher. And that is great. For a while, her greatest ambition was to be a barista at Starbucks and the girl doesn't even like coffee. She thought it just looked fun! I let her dream! I didn't tell her should couldn't make a proper living in a barista's salary. Why? Because she is a 'tween! She doesn't care about paychecks nor should she at this age. She should just be allowed to dream.

Does the principal at the school that squashes dreams think that the NBA is full of players that did not dream of playing basketball? Is the space program filled with random people that never imagined being astronauts? Did the surgeon who cut me open just stumble into medical school without imagining what it would be like to save lives? No. We need to let our kids dream. Their dreams likely include making the world a better place by contributing to it in some positive way. 

Let's not stifle tour children's hopes and ambitions. Let's help them believe that anything is possible.

You Hairy!

I took an early lunch to get my chipped and peeling nails re-done. The manicurist was ferociously attacking my cuticles while I watched for signs of bleeding that unbelievably never came. As I watched her work, I noticed she was looking at me with an arched eyebrow.

"You want wax?" she asked.

"Wax?" I questioned.

"Your eyebrows. You want wax?"


"Oh! No. Thank you though. No wax today."

She then states, "You need wax. Your eyebrows have long hairs. You hairy girl."

What the? I peer into her eyes under her stubby, over-tweezed brows and again say, "No, thank you" while thinking "I really don't want eyebrows like yours."

She tsk, tsked me and shook her head and gave me a look that said, "I tried to help your face you big hairy ape! Don't come crying when you trip over your brows!"

I tried to not let her get to me but I admit that the first thing I did when I got home was inspect my brows. I found, yes, a couple stray hairs I missed in the tweeze. But, thankfully there were not hairs worthy of braids!

My blog needs mouth to mouth!

I get on a bit of a roll with my blog and then life decides to block my path. Rather than climb over the boulder of life, I take the opportunity to sit with my back against the sturdy surface. I reflect and ruminate on the boulder in my way. I get frustrated by it but there I sit. I have been doing this too much lately! I let my frustration with life overwhelm me to near paralysis. That funky state where you just get it done but don't do much extra.

I will get my run in but I won't add a step more than I need to. I will accomplish every task on my to-do list but I won't add an extra stop to check out the bestsellers at the bookstore. I will fold the laundry but leave the ironing to an extra spin in the dryer. 

In my ruminating, I feel a desire to unplug. Actually, I feel a desire to escape to a deserted tropical island with a fresh water supply and something to eat other than coconuts. This leads me to think that my life has become too busy and too often I let it be owned by others. And when I say owned by others I mean too much shuffling the kids to their activities, over-committing myself to projects that are not my own, saying, "Yes, I can do that" when I want to and should say, "Oh, heck no!" I need to recognize that my life is just that - My Life. It is mine to enjoy, to cherish, and to spend how I choose (in accordance with the law and what my tribe deems socially acceptable!) 😉

As I sit propped against this boulder I think about what makes me happy, what stresses me, and what I want in this beautiful gift of life. I don't want to run exactly 3 miles and tap out. I want to see what's hot on bookshelves near me. And, I want to press that steam button and go crazy with the spray starch on the wrinkles. 

Reflection can be a healthy indulgence once in a while but too much creates doubts, curiosities, and even depression. I think it's time for a climb...up and over. Let's see if I can get beyond this pause on my path and breathe some life back into the things I most enjoy.