… that is the question, isn’t it?
In fact, it may even be the question of the ages, wouldn’t you say? What, exactly, do you want to be? (In my opinion, it doesn’t matter if you’re grown up or not – or even planning to – hey, it’s a pertinent question for whoever you are, right now.)
As many of you may know, a few weeks ago I joined the several millions of Americans (literally) who have lost their jobs due to the condition of the economy. (I can’t begin to estimate how many have lost theirs worldwide.) In fact, this year alone I lost my job twice! Shucks. Alas. Dang.
I’m tellin’ ya; it’s takin’ a near-superhuman effort not to turn that into a political comment. But not today. (sound of big sighs of relief) But rather than just rant about that, it did bring up an interesting question. Now I’m sorta thinkin’ to myself, What, indeed, do I really want to be, anyway?
Oh, don’t get me wrong; as to my profession, well, I’m certainly a well-qualified Project Engineer. (That’s someone who manages either one or more “small” projects, or bite-sized chunks of much larger projects. Note: “small”, in this case, can be more-or-less defined as “less than $15-20 million” in total installed cost. And it’s usually more like $5 million or less.)
But is that what I want to do with my life? Well… when it comes to my professional life – the answer is yes! After all, I love the work, and I truly enjoy the things I do when managing a project. So, yes; I do want to be a Project Engineer – and perhaps one day, a Project Manager (which is the next step up).
But I’m thinkin’ along a slightly different wrinkle here. After all, a fellah’s gotta make a livin’, y’know, and I do love to do what I’m good at, y’know, doin’, if you get my meanin’. But that’s just a job, after all. It’s not who I am.
No, the real question is, who do I want to be. Can you hear the distinction? I’m not even sure I can adequately define it, for that matter. Hey, at least I know what I mean. And I think you do, too, right?
See, besides bein’ a darned good Project Engineer, I’m a whole herd of other things, too. For instance (and in no particular order): I’m a husband, a writer, an author, a Bible teacher (the Mrs. And I teach Newlyweds at our church – loads of fun, I’ll tell ya!), a Christian, a friend, a fine fellow (or an insane person, depending on who you ask) – I mean there’s literally no limit to the things I can be at any given moment.
So why the seemingly ambiguous question, you ask? Well, maybe it needs to be stated in a different way.
I guess the question is really, what do I want to be that will produce something that will outlast me? Or that affects other people in a positive way? (And that’s positive as defined by me, of course.) In other words, what difference do I want to make in that totality of existence we call life, the universe, and everything?
Do YOU know what I mean? Maybe we should throw that one against the wall and see what sticks.
So, how would YOU answer the question: “What do I want to be?”
As always, feel free to respond in the comment box. Or, if you need more room and it fits your blog, write it there. (Just link here so we can all enjoy – and learn – from your responses.) Don’t worry; I’ll leave the light on for ya.
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Photos
find out who you are 3042×2154, by Joanna Young
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Robert,
I guess the answer for me is that I want to leave a lot of little marks. I’m not looking for a grandiose earth changing thing. I think if I can brighten someone’s day just a little bit, and do it on a consistent basis then I’ll be a happy camper.
George
.-= Tumblemoose´s last blog ..Is content theft a bad thing? =-.
@Tumblemoose – I like that, George – lot’s of little things. I think you’re right; too often we’re lookin’ for that “big thing”, and we completely miss the “lots of little things” that are right there under our noses! Ironic, huh?
You’re a friend and a fine fellow indeed.
I do think there are other strings to your bow you could develop (eg our twitter conversation yesterday) but it’s how you change the way that people feel that really matters.
“What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.” Pericles
.-= Joanna Young´s last blog ..Your Comments Count =-.
@Joanna – Yeah, maybe it’s time to YOU to encourage ME to make that leap, eh, Joanna? Sorta like I did you back when you decided to move… I guess it’s true: no good deed goes unpunished, eh?
Fabulous question. My gut reaction is intrinsically tied to me as a teacher – whether professionally or personally. That the gestures I make each day affect others to make their own gestures, that will eventually change the world
Nothing more or less than that!
“And that is how change happens. One gesture. One person. One moment at a time.”
— Libba Bray (The Sweet Far Thing)
@Tracy – That sounds like a wonderful answer from a teacher, Tracy! Glad you found your purpose in life. And that it can shape so many other lives – in ways you can’t begin to imagine!
Robert, You raise fascinating questions, the ones we should be asking but sometimes go out of our way to avoid. For me, boiling it down to the absolute essence, what I want to be is close to Jesus. Then the legacies and the fulfillment will take care of themselves.
.-= Brad Shorr´s last blog ..A PC Guy Goes to the Apple Store =-.
@Brad – Very good, Brad! OK, if that’s the absolute essence, then… how does that desire manifest itself in you? That’s kinda where I’m at right now.
@tumblemoose Little marks, I like that, sounds easy to do
I have come to realize that what people lack a lot these days is being accepted for who they are, regardless of fears, prejudice and all kinds of nonsense. And I’d very much like to be that person that people are comfortable sharing their true selves with. Feeling accepted and not judged in any way for silly little reasons always puts a smile on their faces
.-= Alexa´s last blog ..When the body speaks, all else is hollow =-.
@Alexa – I agree, Alexa; I like that, too. That’s actually one of the many talents of Mrs. MZM, to tell you the truth! Thanks, and a tip o’ the hat for sharin’!
Robert, How indeed … for me the “how” is a matter of daily reflection, of asking myself where I stumbled and where I shined, and how I can do less of the former and more of the latter tomorrow. I started my business and have taken it in a certain direction because it seems like the best way for me to be of service, where I can share the most of the positive things I have to give. That’s far from a perfect answer, but the best I can offer you at this point. But someone who thinks about these things as deeply and earnestly as yourself will move closer to to the answer that’s right for you perhaps slowly, but surely. That’s my hope, anyway.
.-= Brad Shorr´s last blog ..A PC Guy Goes to the Apple Store =-.
@Brad – Y’know; that’s my hope too. But sometimes it seems like I’m goin’ backwards a mite, if you get my meanin’. Nevertheless, I believe there’s always hope, and growth, and blessings, for those willing to put the effort into it. And I intend to be one of those folks, too. Tip o’ the hat, Bubba, for the kind words!
Robert,
first of all: you are a friend and a fine fellow indeed and I am glad / honoured to have met you via twitter or via the comment sections of the various blogs we share.
The question you raised in this blog post is one which cannot be easily answered. I try to do it, though. Speaking for me I would say that I want to be a person who can listen and knows when to answer and when not; a person who likes to help without intruding; a person who is to be trusted and tries to be authentic.
Just a few thoughts.
.-= Ulla Hennig´s last blog ..Taking Photos – a Means to re-live your Travels =-.
@Ulla – I feel the same about you, Ulla! I remember when you first appeared on Twitter and we first began to converse. You’ve grown a lot since then. I’m truly privileged to know you!
The post is quite emotional and it filled my eyes with lots of emotions. It is heartening to see what is going around in the recession time and many people are afraid and some are finding a reason to live on. It is not easy to continue your work under this conditions and i hope people make their own way.
@Gregory – Hey, thanks for the sentiment, Bubba!
I don’t want to be, I AM…a happy little kid. I’m enjoying my second childhood even more than the first one.
How is that helping other people? When you’re happy you naturally want to share it with other people.
.-= Jean Browman–Cheerful Monk´s last blog ..Encouragement =-.
@Jean – An excellent point, and one that can’t be emphasized too often, Jean! Folks just naturally gravitate to cheerful folks, y’know? One reason we enjoy hangin’ around together!
Robert, your question made me refreshing my childhood ambition, where I would like to be a geologist when I grown up! Hmm…, it seems that my ambition is remaining an unachievable dream!
@Wilson – Well, maybe it is, maybe it isn’t, Wilson. You never know ’til you try!
Hi Robert!
Haven’t been around for some time but always enjoy reading your posts!
I guess I just keep trying to stay in giving what I can everyday although I am going through some huge transitions right now in my life. My business is next to nil right now.
So I am looking for new ways to make a living as I move from this other pressing transition right now. I hope once things have settled down I can find a way to give a lot more in service to others like I once did for most of my life. I am working and studying in the free time I have because of the loss of work right now to develop new skills for a new way to make a living now. I miss my volunteer work a lot and try through the computer to help others on certain sites I am a member of with grief and loss.
Peace, Love and Joy,
Diane
@Diane – Sorry to hear ’bout your business. I think it’s safe to say we ALL feel your pain! But it sounds like you’re making good use of the opportunity. Never can learn to much, I always say! Tip o’ the hat for your determination, Diane. And thanks for dropping by again – don’t let it be so long, next time!
Good to think along those lines regarding career direction. These are the times when we’re providentially taken down different roads which often in retrospect prove to be a good thing.
.-= Jonathan´s last blog ..BELLEVUE DIRECT MAIL =-.
@Jonathan – I think you may be right, Bubba! Thanks for contributing to the conversation, and don’t forget to come back!