What Do You Want To Be When You Grow Up?

If there is one thing that convinces me that we are all, basically, the same, it’s listening to children from different places. These Tanzanian children seem to be much the same as every child I’ve ever known – including myself as a child. I thought I could go anywhere and do anything and that everything (including fairies) could be found if I just put some energy into searching. Were you the same? Did you think you could do whatever you chose to do?They don’t see their limitations. They just see their aspirations.
They haven’t been told yet that they can’t be anything they want to be – go everywhere they want to go – do anything they want to do.
Wouldn’t it be great if nobody ever disillusioned children in this way?
I wonder what they’d achieve as adults if they still had that dauntless spirit?

Where did you leave your dauntless spirit?

I wonder where I left mine?

6 Comments

  1. I agree children should be encouraged ‘to reach their potential’ as the saying goes. Should we also encourage children to become cleaners, shop assistants etc.?
    I take it that not every one can have a highly successful job. I think what we have to learn is that even people who do the ‘lower’ jobs are important in a well functioning society. Doesn’t this mean we should appreciate their value and encourage them in doing a good job?
    At the same time it would be great if every child all over the world could be encouraged to reach their potential. If a child in Tanzania has the desire to become a pilot, for sure, with hard work he may be able to achieve this goal. Or he might change his mind and want to be something else along the way. If another child is attracted to tourism, maybe this child can be encouraged to work in the tourist industry and shouldn’t be looked down upon.

    The job of a teacher is a very important one. These children in the video seem to have been aware of it.

    1. I agree with you. I think we over-focus on work when we talk about what we want to ‘be’ – all work is important what I love about children is that they ‘being’ Miss Tanzania and the President and an astronaut are part of the same conversation. Thanks for your thoughtful comment.

  2. I wouldn’t be surprised if that one boy does grow up to be president. He already has the hand gestures down. Great video. Maybe as we get older, our dauntless spirit becomes more focused, as we realize we don’t have time (or the ability) to do everything. I think the trick is to find something we love and is worth pursuing.

    1. I can see the presidential wave – very professional – not to mention his great love of the spotlight (‘Ask me. Ask me.’) Definitely a politician in the making. As for the dauntless spirit – I know you’re right about possibilities and realities – it’s just that sometimes I think we slide right over to the opposite side and start from a place of impossibility rather than possibility and then give up before we even really try (who can handle pointlessly beating their head against a wall). Nice formula, though – love and meaning – maybe that could counteract the message of impossibility? Interesting thought – thanks.

  3. You know, I never really aspired to be anything when I grew up CR.. I wanted to paint and become an Artist.. But at 15 and the eldest of 5 children I had one week off school and then went to work in a textile factory .. So that put paid to that… As I had to bring in some money to earn my keep at home..
    Now ask me what do I dream to be.. ??
    I just want to make a difference in the world.. Not a Big difference.. But if I can just help One person open their minds and see a little further or alter someone’s perception and Heal a little.. Then Im happy.
    Lovely post..
    And my belief is now..
    WE can ALL of be exactly what we want to be.. We just need to believe in ourselves and the rest will eventually follow.. 🙂
    Love and Light.. Sue xx

    1. Thanks so much for the wonderful comment, Sue. I think this describes very well what we can ‘be’ – we do need to find that belief we had in ourselves as children and the rest will follow and as for your desire to make a difference in the world – I think you may be succeeding at that very nicely!xx

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