My friend Ellen (http://bubblewriting.blogspot.com/) wrote about finding destinies, today. It reminded me of a quote that is on the wall of the daycare where I work:
"When I was 5 years old, my mother always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down ‘happy.’ They told me I didn’t understand the assignment, and I told them they didn’t understand life."
- John Lennon
This quote is in the hallway between the 4- and 5-year old classrooms, the same age John and, I imagine, Ellen were when asked this question. I'm inspired every time I wander past with a broom at the end of the day.
When I was growing up, I would not have said, "I want to work in a daycare." But, it's where I am and I am content. The daycare where I work is a cheerful, honest place. The people there care about doing a good job and work together to provide for the needs of the children. During my time there, I have learned to value service and integrity and to strive to exhibit these traits more in myself.
I also work at a college as a part-time academic advisor. While this job is more in line with "what I want to be when I grow up," I do not feel that the work is more valuable than what I do at my second job. Both tasks are necessary and through both, I find pleasure in providing guidance and having a place to belong.
Ultimately, what I want to be is more abstract and broad than I could ever have defined as a child. Helping others, belonging somewhere, and working well are, in fact, enough to provide for my own happiness. Hopefully, along the way, I can inspire happiness in the small and large minds I encounter daily.
-April
