As many of you know, my first children's book was released a couple of weeks ago. I can still distinctly remember telling teachers in 1st grade that I wanted to be a writer and getting "the look" that I would see many times in years to come. A look that said, "Oh, that's cute...completely unrealistic, but cute!" It seemed the children that wanted to be Astronauts, Ballerinas and International Spies were treated with more clout than the silly Italian girl who wanted to write.
So, I conformed. Externally, anyway. For a bunch of years I said I wanted to be an Environmentalist. Teachers were impressed. I wrote articles to the editor about ways to be environmentally conscious. And folks, this was long before Being Green was popular. I was praised for writing about such a "creative" topic. Secretly, all I really cared about was the fact that I was WRITING.
As I entered high school, I changed my occupation choice to a Social Worker. I wanted to help kids who have endured many of the trials that I have. Sadly, through my research, I realized that I wasn't built to separate problems revealed to me at work without taking their pain home with me. So, I wrote an article about it in Journalism class. :-) (I'm a sneaky one...maybe I should have tried the whole Spy idea.)
Forbes posted an article specifically about this topic and I find it shameful the approach that was taken by the author, David M. Ewalt.
http://www.forbes.com/2009/02/26/starting-second-career-leadership-careers_dream_jobs.html
I'm a writer and fully believe in free speech and understand the point that the author tries to make when he states that children have unrealistic expectations of what particular jobs pay. But sir, they are kids!! They aren't supposed to have an adult grasp on reality. Is financial sustainability important? Absolutely!! Should the amount of money you earn at your dream job be a legit excuse to throw it all away? Absolutely NOT!!
To also squash a profession because it is difficult to obtain, is absurd. Ewalt states, "...most kids are in for repeated heartbreak when they get older, like when they realize how hard it is to snag a job as a ballerina."
Last I checked, Olympians didn't win medals because it was easy. Doctors don't get degrees because they hand them out to everyone. And writers certainly don't publish books overnight. I don't think telling our kids to pursue things that are easy is the right message. Our country was founded on hard work and dedication.
So, for all of those I tried to appease over the years...I never wanted to be an Environmentalist and I never intended to be a Social Worker. All I wanted to do was write. Through years of naysayers, scepticism and my own determination, I am now doing just that. I wouldn't recommend trying to stop me. The pen is mightier than the sword!
**You can purchase a copy of my book, "The Adventures of Isaiah James: Beach Boy" at http://www.shop.perfectedpenpublishing.com/The-Adventures-of-Isaiah-James-Beach-Boy-BK-AOIJ1.htm .
