My husband and I had an opportunity to see my son perform in a college concert last week. If you’ve been around the blog for a while, you will know that my oldest son is a musician. We thought he would make a good engineer but he is following his passion.
I envy him.
When we were visiting colleges with him I wondered how any 17 year old could know what they want to “be”. They are so young. When I was 17 I don’t think I had a passion. I was a good student and “smart” by certain standards. I dabbled in an art class and crafts at home, loving them, but never had time to pursue those. I kept forging ahead, selected chemical engineering as a major while also pursing pre-med classes. How do you know if medicine is your passion? Engineering?
By about junior year I was pretty sure engineering was not my passion, but couldn’t turn back. I decided that my life would be a journey through many careers.
My daughter started college this year. She is brilliantly smart, opinionated, talented. But finding her passion is a challenge and a journey she is just beginning.
I remember the first few years of working exploring different departments. I loved teaching and working with customers in technical marketing. I also remember, during a class I was taking, drawing “Men and Their Big Heads.” (I’ll blog about it someday). No wonder I wasn’t a very good engineer…I was too busy drawing in class!
So perhaps I wasn’t able to find my passion at a young age, but I did hope to be a mother some day. So what are my passions now?
- Being a wife and mom
- Managing my home
- Sewing
- Knitting
- Creating
- People
- Teaching
- Organizing
- Talking
- Wine
- Entertaining
Knitting, creating, designing, teaching. I spent many of my work years organizing people, but I was very ready to give that up this year. I’m enjoying every minute of *my* stuff!
knitting, teaching, children’s books, doing art with children, etc. i hadn’t found my passion at 17. i commend you and your husband for allowing your oldest son to follow his passion. i don’t know many parents that would do that (in fact, i can count them on one hand!). he is very lucky to have your support.