What Did You Want To Be When You Grew Up
When I was seven years old I wanted to be an author. Not a writer, but an author. As in, "guy who writes books." Why I chose that career, I'm not sure. Maybe I liked writing. Maybe I thought books were cool. Or maybe it was just the first answer I could come up with.
The truth is, I never really gave it much thought.
That is, not until one random day about 6 months ago when I was giving a speech to a group of 7th graders. I started telling these kids about the two books I'd written when it hit me like a ton of books. Yes, books - not bricks.
Oh my God! I thought. I really AM an author!
At that moment I realized that there truly is something to be said about the career aspirations of kids. You see, the younger a person is the less likely his hopes and dreams are to be influenced by his parents, peers, money, fame or even college major. After all, when you're seven years old - you don't know anything, you just talk from your heart.
Unfortunately, somewhere down the line kids stop using their hearts and begin using their heads. And the result is: they think too much.
Don't get me wrong. Thinking is good. But sometimes, you just have to listen to your heart.
Now I know that's a bit cliché. To be honest with you, I don't even know how the whole "listen to your heart" process works. It's probably different for everybody.
But I DO believe that success leaves clues. And I DO believe that certain experiences in our lives are indicators of our true nature.
A few years ago I read an interview in Spin magazine with Bono, one of my heroes and also one of the great rock stars of my time. When asked about the musical development of U2's songs, Bono quoted Michelangelo and said, "The sculpture is already in the stone."
The sculpture is already in the stone. I never forgot that.
That means every time Michelangelo sat down to sculpt one of his many masterpieces, the piece was already finished. All he had to do was chip away.
That means every time Bono and his band mates sat around the studio to record a track for their next classic album, the song was already complete. All they had to do was chip away.
I think people are the same way. When each of us is born, we're nothing but a big block of stone. Blank, untouched and unformed. But every single day of our lives is like a piece of that stone is being chipped away by our experiences. And eventually, there will come a time - probably some random Tuesday at 2:30 PM - when we will look in the mirror at what used to be a plain old block of stone, and see a great masterpiece: the sculpture of the person we were born to be.
And when that moment comes, my GOD...it's beautiful. It reminds me of a great quotation I recently heard from best selling author and NSA past president Mark Sanborne, "There are two great moments in a person's life: the moment he was born and the moment he realizes WHY he was born."
© 2005 All Rights Reserved.
Scott Ginsberg is a professional speaker, "The World's Foremost Expert on Nametags" and the author of HELLO my name is Scott and The Power of Approachability. He helps people MAXIMIZE their approachability and become UNFORGETTABLE communicators - one conversation at a time. For more information contact Front Porch Productions at http://www.hellomynameisscott.com.
Latest News
USA Today | Preview audiences praise Disney World's new American Idol attraction Jim Hill Media.com, NH - Jim Hill shares what he's heard from WDW Cast Members who attended tech rehearsals for this new DHS attraction. Who say that -- despite some obvious flaws ... American Idol Is "Going To Disney World" Disney opening American Idol Experience Feb. 14 Are You The Next Disney American Idol? |
AFP | New Role Sought For Bruce Lee 'Love Hotel' WISN.com, WI - ... government appear to have reached an agreement to transform the late Bruce Lee's Kowloon mansion from a seedy "love hotel" into a tourist attraction. ... Bruce Lee's last home to be turned into a tourist site: owner Enter the Museum: Bruce Lees Home Saved Bruce Lee home to house his museum |
Landmark national study reveals significance of green practices in ... EurekAlert (press release), DC - Nearly 75% of 18-34 year olds say they are more likely to visit an attraction that is pursuing environmentally friendly practices. ... |
County's attractions, festivals draw tourists Monroenews.com, MI - Silver Bells, a Christmas-themed shop in Dundee, is a growing attraction, and venues such as the River Raisin Jazz Series, River Raisin Jazz Festival and ... |
Coins from Shivaji era main attraction at rare items expo Times of India, India - PUNE: Two gold coins from the Shivaji era will be the main attraction at the exhibition-cum-auction organised by the International Collector's Society of ... |
How to Find the Right Law of Attraction Teacher Meadow Free Press, ID - All teachers of the Law of Attraction do agree on the basics of this Law. Whatever vibration you emit will attract back to you, in some form, ... Law of Attraction - Anger - Introspection and Knowing Yourself |
New attraction flutters into view The News-Press, FL - The attraction/restaurant/gift shop on Fowler Street - four years in the making - starts operation Saturday, but had its grand opening on Wednesday. ... |
COLUMN: Will Tassel twirling be Destin’s newest attraction? Destin Log, FL - Stephenson says a nude-dancing club would add “an extra dimension of attraction. “You have golfers, you have fishermen. This is another reason to come to ... |
NIAGARA FALLS: Plans for snow park attraction pushed back to summer Niagara Gazette, NY - Originally slated to open last month, the planned Snow Park Niagara Falls attraction has been pushed back to June, as developers work with the city ... |
An explosive mixture: Does attraction come down to science? The Silhouette, Canada - One of the most fascinating aspects of human behavior is that of the attraction between two people. Throughout history many people have attempted to explain ... |
Resources
-
WomenFiguredOut.com How To Be The Jerk Women Love by F.J. Shark
eBook that teaches men the sexual triggers and attraction secrets of Jerks w/out being a Jerk.
-
Mental Power Strategies
Master Secrets of Hypnosis, Chi Power ,Meditation, attraction, & Stock Markets.
-
COVERTPOWER.COM - Your source for Seduction, Influence, personal power and money attraction informat
COVERTPOWER.COM - Your source for Seduction, Influence, personal power and money attraction information!
-
Free report reveals how sexy women will approach you first for a date, no matter your looks, age or
attraction, dating and seduction secrets revealed. This remarkable website teaches men how to get desirable, sexy women to approach them first. Discover little known dating, seduction and pick up secrets from John Alanis, the King of Let
-
Natural attraction & Success with Women: 'Men's Guide to Women'
Learn how to be successful with women. Understand how to get women, be a player, and attract women.
-
Being a Player, Dating, attraction, Seduction And Sex Tips for Men
The Most Amazing Secrets to Get Any Woman That You Want, learn what women want, flirting, love advice, pick up lines, dating tips, speed dating, get a girlfriend, and pick up women
-
The Law of attraction (sm) where you manifest & attract abundance, success & wealth!
When you learn from The Law of attraction, you can craft and create the life you want!