Remember when you were little, how you used to say, ‘When I grow up, I’m going to …..(fill in the blank here).  Well, now that you’re probably into adulthood, how’d that turn out for ya?  Have things turn out the way you imagined?

Did you change course at some point?  So far, have things turned out better or worse?  Have you put it together yet?  Or did you somewhere along the line ‘grow up’ and realize, ‘Well gee - I didn’t want to play pro ball, be president, be a movie star, famous artist, etc. etc… after all?’

Let’s hope you’re at least living happily ever after though, whatever your definition of that may be.  I don’t say this trivially here.  I really mean it.  Let’s hope the life that you are living, is actually the one you really want.  And if it isn’t, then putting yourself in the driver’s seat, can help steer the course toward that end.  Not end really, but rather destination. 

Living happily is different than living happily ever after is what I believe.  Being mindful of what you have can go a long way toward satisfaction.  If painting is what you enjoyed as a child, which is what planted that early seed that hey - maybe you’d like to be a famous artist when you grew up, fine.  That’s one thing.  But say the famous part didn’t really pan out.  Remember it’s the painting you enjoyed anyway, right?  The painting itself is likely what made you happy.  The fame was secondary.  So doing it now makes sense, regardless of what else you may be doing, in your real, grown up life.  I’m not talking quit your job, move to Italy painting.  I’m talking picking up a couple of canvases, decent brushes, some lush color, and bingo - your on your way.

I have a friend who says the ones who grow up to be dancers, writers, painters, sculptors, etc. are simply the ones who never stopped doing it.  Think about that.  Many of the world’s best chefs fell in love with cooking as a child.  First rate athletes pretty much started out messing around on the driveway or city park as kids.  And the singers and the dancers, whose names and faces we now recognize, were likely setting up shows in their very own backyards during summer vacation from school.

So indulge yourself here.  Think back.  When you were little, peering into your vast future ahead—what did you tell yourself you wanted to be?  What skills involved in that vision did you want to put to use?  As the most pedestrian therapists will tell us, your inner child is still inside.  Why not let it out?  Let it come out and play! 

Sorry if this sounds like mumbo jumbo.  It’s only an idea.  This idea of trying to spin dreams into reality, and have it make it’s way into your everyday, something good for you and your spirit is all.  Movement your thing?  Why not take a dance exercise class?  Double benefit there.  Love color?  Consider adult ed courses offered all over town, from parks and rec schedules,  to colleges,  offered day and night. 

Come on.  Give it a whirl.  You’re a grown up now.  What have you got to lose?  No grades involved in trying, no eating your vegetables, or being home by curfew either!

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