what do you want to be?

At last nights monthly Hot Mommies meeting, we had a very interesting speaker. Her name was Laurie Swain. She is a practicing life coach. She was there to speak about how important it is for a mom to take time for herself. In her speech she spoke about your life calling. She wasn’t specifically speaking about your 8-5 job, but what you are called to do. I have often struggled with this because I am one of those unfortunate people that have never really known what I wanted to be when ‘I grew up.’ At one time, I wanted to be Cyndi Lauper, but my mom quickly assured me that wouldn’t work because when I sing, cat’s wail. At another time, I wanted to be a chef or own a restaurant. I even spent part of a summer away at a culinary school. I absolutely loved it, I do to this day, but my ‘type A’ personality wouldn’t let me peruse that, it was too chancy and scary.
So, that leads me to where I am at now. After getting my associates degree, I was ready to get married and ‘start’ life. My first job was in graphic design at a printing company in Newport. I really liked it. I was able to release the need to create and make money. It was hard work a lot of the times; putting together literature that we printed, etc. That business eventually closed and I moved into sales at a local office supply place, then when we moved to Searcy, I worked in an office at a body shop. I enjoy office work and especially the people I worked with. I was there nearly 4 years and needed a change. I went to work at a local hypnotherapy clinic. I was hired to be the office manager, but quickly fell in love with the trade and became trained to practice hypnosis. I loved every minute of it. I was helping people and earning a good living, both of which I always wanted to do. That was short lived. Unfortunately, the owner’s father got very ill and we had to close the clinic. So, there I was, pregnant and with no job.
That brings me to where I am today. I’ve been at SIP for a little over 3 years now. It’s so funny, just the other day a friend of mine was asking what I did and where I worked. Apparently, I’m pretty mysterious when it comes to where I work. I enjoy my work. I am in inside sales. I also do book keeping and collections. I love the people I work with and for, so that is a plus. This may not be my dream job, but I’m happy and I earn an ok living.
After hearing Laurie last night, it brought up that ultimate question,

“What do you want to be when you grow up?”

The older I get, the more I get ‘it.’ We are all brought up to get good jobs, make good money, something that fulfills you, etc., but that job doesn’t necessarily mean between the hours of 8 to 5. For me, my calling, if you would like to call it that, is 24 hours a day. I am a wife, a mother, a daughter, a sister, a cousin and a friend. That is my calling; to be the best that I can at all of these things. My husband, my son and my family are my life; they are my calling. Creating the Hot Mommies and reaching out to my community are my calling, my passion.
I didn’t know it at the time, but the person I am today is the person I wanted to be when I grew up.