What would you do?
Do you remember as a youngster being asked by adults, “What do you want to be/do when you grow up?” Giving what I believed to be the correct answer, I declared that I would become a teacher or a nurse. What I really wanted to be was a cowgirl just like Sally Starr. I wanted to wear cowgirl boots, ride around town on a horse and do fun cowgirl stuff.
As we aged, that question changed to, “What are you going to do with your life?” Do I dare say I want to join the Philadelphia Warriors roller derby team? In my early teens, I would practice skating every chance I got. I specifically worked on my speed. Thinking if I were fast, I could avoid the fights. I also considered other things: like being a nun, a social worker, a gym teacher, an archeologist, a photojournalist, a welder, and a filmmaker.
Recently, a slight variation of that age-old question has presented itself. Darrel and I talked about it and gave our answers. I also asked others, including my mother, for their input. I am sharing the answers from this diverse group. If you want to join us, please leave your answer to the question below in the comment section:
“If the lowest amount you would receive would be $120,000 per year and you could decide what your job or business would be, what would you do?”
“I would be a doctor to help people with their health.” KW/10, “I would be an engineer.” KM/11, “Write and produce my own music.” EM/17, “Travel and create art inspired by where I’ve been.” TR/19, “Start my own catering business.” BR/21, “Travel Blogger.” TT/24, “Open an Arts based non-profit for children.” AP/37, “Stay at home mom.” TH/43, “I would be a musician.” RM/57, “Be an Image Consultant working with young ladies.” GT/64, “Dog groomer.” SC/66, “Stay at home Resell Business.” LH/67, “Salesman for Victoria Secrets.” MH/70,
“I definitely would want a farm. That has always been my dream. I would also sew and crochet clothes and do floral arrangements on the side.” LF/21
“Run a series of niche bed and breakfasts. The purpose would be to showcase the locale, giving guests a customized experience of what the area has to offer including some of its quirky aspects.” KP/30
“Run my own daycare center. I am trained for it, that is my passion and it is needed.” SM/33
“Counsel disadvantage children. Work with homeless families. Get more resources into the community. Offer sports camps to keep the kids occupied.” RT/42
“I would expand my Entertainment Company that is geared towards school-aged youth in educational settings.” EM/43
“Have a training program to teach people how to grow their own food in their back yards or with whatever space they have. I would also teach people how to grow food collectively.” KS/47
“I would enjoy being a home décor private shopper. It is similar to being an interior decorator but not quite. As a business, I would open a safe house for young women, giving them care and support. As a Philanthropist, I would help single moms who are working to help themselves but need a little extra assistance. I would help them to enhance their children’s lives.” AC/50
“Open an apartment building or complexes offering affordable housing for older people. Utilities would be included and they would be located in safe communities.” DT/61
“I would be a traveling Nurse. I would travel in the US as well as internationally. I missed an opportunity to go with ‘Doctors without Borders’ over 11 years ago and I regret that. I was honored to be invited by Doctor Reynold Agard after he and Dr. Kamar Adeleke had just returned from a trip to Africa.” EM/63
“Train youth on how to start their own business. I would travel and train where ever needed.” YC/65
“I would be a World Vision Ambassador and I would live my artistic dreams. I would make short movies, inspirational videos, animations of my drawings, write screenplays and short stories and make welded garden sculptures.” AM/67
“Work with a company that builds 3D homes for the homeless. I would be the liaison working with the homeless clientele ensuring all of their needs are met.” DM/71
“A business where I help people get over the hump. For instance, if somebody gets a job out of town and needs transportation, or steel boots or tools, etc., I would see that they got what they needed. This would include helping them with their finances, organizing budgets, etc. I would help them get what they need to move forward and change their lives.” CC/71
“Something to help inner city children in the area of education to help improve their situation.” WC/71
“Counselor working with unwanted and abused children. I would talk to them and get to know them. I would place them in beautiful decent homes and make sure that they have nice lives.” Dorena Burton Morris/90 years old.
