The person who says something is impossible should not interrupt the person who is doing it. Chinese Proverb

Remember when you were a kid and someone asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” What was your answer?

I want to be a Pilot.

I want to be an Astronaut.

I want to be an Archaeologist.

I want to be an Engineer.

I want to be a Dancer.

I want to be a Writer.

I want to be an Artist.

I want to be an Actor.

I want to be a Musician.

Did you doubt that you could do it? NO…as a kid, in your heart of hearts you can be anyone you want to be, and do anything you want to do. There are no boundaries or barriers in your way.

You Can Do Anything

Your parents encourage you….give you positive reinforcement. They TELL you that you can be anyone you want to be. They TELL you that you can do anything you put your mind to.

I remember changing my mind several times. When I was a kid I wanted to be an Archaeologist, a Writer, or a Dancer.

As an Archaeologist I could travel the world and have kick-ass adventures like Indiana Jones. Yep…I could soooo picture myself crawling through dark cave tunnels, stumbling upon a lost city deep in the jungle, and being chased down the Amazon river by natives as I escaped with their treasures!

As a Writer, I dreamed of owning a log cabin in the Colorado mountains. I’d spend my winters writing away as the snow fell just outside my window. There would be a roaring fire in the fireplace, and I’d sip tea and write best sellers. Oh yes…I’d crank them out left and right, because I’d be a brilliant writer!

As a Dancer I would express myself through movement and music and inspire others. I would travel the world, be fabulously famous, have a figure to die for, wear gorgeous dresses….and make loads of cash!!

Then I grew up….and everything changed.

Why is it that as kids we are encouraged, inspired, and told that the world is ours for the taking? But as adults we are expected to conform to societies rules? When does this change happen?

I’ll tell you…it begins right around your senior year in high school, when friends and family pose that question again but in a different way.

What college are you attending?

What career path will you choose?

What are you going to do for a living?

Aha!! there it is….that subtle change in the wording of the question. Do you realize these are loaded questions? They imply that you want to go to college, want a career, want to make a living in the conventional way.

So your answer changes doesn’t it? You think to yourself, I want to be Indiana Jones…but movies aren’t real life. I want to be a Dancer….but I won’t make enough money to live on. I want to be a Writer…..but it’s hard to write a best selling book….

So you conform. You go to college, get the degree and land a job paying you great money.

Now What?

You soon realize that….you aren’t happy! If truth be told, you are miserable. The career you chose just isn’t what you thought it would be. It’s boring, It’s not fulfilling, it’s not fun, it’s not challenging, it’s not [insert adjective here].

You are stuck in a career that SUCKS the life out of you. But the money is good so you bought a house, new car, enjoy fine dining, take expensive vacations etc. You get used to your lifestyle, so you convince yourself that the boring career is the price you have to pay.

Really? Who says? Why?

You have thoughts of chucking the whole thing and reinventing yourself. But when you tell friends and family…they say:

Are you crazy?

You want to do WHAT?

You can’t make a living doing that!

You can’t throw your career away!

You can’t waste all those years of college!

And on…and on…and on. So most people cave into the pressure and stay in that soul-sucking career. They figure after they put in their 30+ years and hit retirement, then they can do what they want.

You Only Get One Shot at Life

One big problem with that…..LIFE IS SHORT…LIVE FOR TODAY….TOMORROW IS NOT GUARANTEED.

The truth is….you are the only one holding yourself back. Only you can decide what is best for you. Friends and family mean well….but they aren’t you. They don’t see what you see….they don’t feel what you feel, they don’t think what you think, they aren’t living your life!

So what’s it going to be? Stay where you are? Or reinvent yourself…do something that makes you feel alive, puts a smile on your face, and gives you a reason to get up in the morning?

Only you can answer that question….because only you have your best interest in mind…your life is in your hands. Choose wisely….because you only get one shot at it.

As for me….I intend to try anything and everything that crosses my path. I will fall down 7 times and get up 8 times. When my time is up….I’m sliding in….muddy, hair all a mess, covered in scratches, bumps and bruises….shouting at the top of my lungs, “WOOHOOO WHAT A RIDE!!!”

Did this rock your world? Was it helpful? Did it resonate with you in some way? See those sexy social media buttons below? Go ahead and share this with friends, family, complete strangers….spread the good karma and it will come back to you