[I wrote this a long time ago... not sure when. But found it in my drafts folder and thought it was an interesting take on how we become who we are - an odd opinion, so I wonder what I was thinking about at the time.]
By the age of 9, I was a scientist, an engineer, a naturalist, a dancer, a woodworker, a painter, an astronomer, a gardener, a biologist, a writer and a singer. I began as all children do, with a myriad of interests diverse, curiosities varied. But as we grow we are asked, "what do you want to be when you grow up?"
Our parents, having also given no choice but to pick something at an early age, were given to certain occupations according to their skills, and the interests of their own parents. Guided by familiarity, and family connections where they exist. So the interests and curiosities are focused into funnels by which we all study, directed in a straight line toward a goal. A goal that will earn us a living, point us in a direction of success, give us a place in the world.
Some of us as hard as we try, find that no matter how focused we try to be, remain a scientist, an engineer, a naturalist, a dancer. How irresponsible of us in a world that wants to categorize you so they know where you belong in the order of things. So the diversity we once held so close, becomes a hobby, or completely invisible.
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