Every Sunday I look forward to the newspaper. After reading the front page and checking the police blotter to be sure no fiends are lurking in my neighborhood, I turn to the LifeStyle section and find the comics. My local paper resized the comics recently so I don't read them all--the print is too small--but I never miss my favorites: Dilbert and Baby Blues. Dilbert reminds me of my corporate days and the absurdity of management. Baby Blues reminds me of the twenty years I invested in raising my children and the equal amount of absurdity that accompanies parenthood. Philosophical gems and wisdom often hide among the ridiculous antics described in both comics.
In today's comic, Wanda (the mom) is reading the week's list of activities for her young son, Hammie. Darrel, the father, dares to suggest that perhaps Hammie is overscheduled. Wanda looks at her husband, a man who goes to work everyday and doesn't fully comprehend the rigors of the stay-at-home-mom life, and sighs. Sometimes she, too, thinks Hammie is overscheduled, and then she remembers that "he likes to take things apart with power tools in his spare time." I laughed out loud at this remembering my mother's warning not to leave my nephew alone while babysitting him because he liked to take things apart. This nephew is now a graduate in Engineering Physics and in charge of building equipment for the laboratories at the University of Oregon.
The memory got me to thinking how much our early childhood behavior might be an indicator of adult interests. Maybe what we want to be when we grow up is already determined. My own son demonstrated his need for speed at a early age. He never seemed to walk but ran everywhere. He liked to find the longest highest hill to ride in his little red wagon. Today he is an instructor at the Bridgestone "Fastest Ride on Ice" winter driving school and looking for a sponsor so he can get back into the driver's seat of a race car.
As for myself, I spent my time with my nose in a book. I would rather read than do anything else. After a dozen part-time jobs and sundry careers I find myself back where I began - nose in books.... reading.... writing.... and playing with words.
What were your childhood passions? How did they influence the person you have become? What do you do today that is similar to what you did as a child? How is your life different?
Write a story about your childhood activities. Where were you? Who participated in your activities? Did you do them alone?
Childhood is our proving ground, the place where we test our abilities, interests and boundaries. Discovering what we liked then can inspire ideas about how to bring balance into our adult lives. Have a little fun today - let your childlike self out to play.
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