Natural Abilities

Our boys are going to grow up to be fine upstanding citizens. A butcher, a baker, a candlestick maker - a banker, an attorney, a professor - a farmer, a writer, a toy designer - a pastor, an entrepreneur, a stay at home dad - who knows? One may live in Vancouver, the other in China and the third... close to home, right?

Photo courtesy via CC

Or will all three live close to home to look after mama?

It doesn't matter, we can't determine the future - but my hope is that they don't follow their head, or their heart exclusively - that it be more of a combined effort. We can sense our boys natural abilities and can watch as they develop. We can hope they develop. Outside influence may be the biggest hindrance or adversary to whatever they become.

Should we be the compass that guides them? A thing they carry in their pocket (like an old watch) that occasionally provides them with direction and guidance when they think to use it... Or the wind that pushes them? A force, not a gale, but a breeze to guide them gently whether they acknowledge it or not? Certainly not the boat that they sit within... or the sail, they will want to create these themselves (with their natural abilities) and each bird must fly from the nest eventually.

At one point I was on track to become a pharmacist - which is an important position, which requires plenty of schooling. I soon found that this was not to be my expertise - and am still honing in my exact life occupation. (One set job, are you serious?)  (ah, ya - you have a family now...) I guess we all have to change to some extent.

What comes natural to you? Why do we fight nature? Will we continue to pour cement over our "natural abilities" - taxing and stressing ourselves out in order to fit into some mold? Will that natural state of being eventually reach some equilibrium and comfort level...? Or will the foundations be shaken - and we will be happy to find what we can - and hopefully not working for the man?

I don't know.


a Paleontologist, a Major League Pitcher, a Pretender, a Pretender, a Pretender...