If you asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, for many years, I cheerfully responded “taller.”
This was a much more satisfying response to me, because a) I pretty much always go for the joke, even if it’s a weak one that has been used a billion times, and b) I didn’t have a better answer. I’m liable to answer the same way if you were to ask me that question today, because, I’d love to be able to get stuff off the top shelf without the rope and harness.
I realize that knowing I’d like to add a few inches to my height is hardly helpful in identifying my true destiny. Sadly, I’m far more certain of my desire for extra inches than I am with knowing what path I should be following.
“Follow your bliss” is great advice, and I totally would do that as soon as my bliss arrives. I put in a request for it to drop by and guide me wherever I’m supposed to go, and I suspect it got lost. I bet it went to the house with the serial killer, and we all know what happens when good things happen across the path of those with a tendency to perform terrifying, random acts of gardening when there’s snow on the ground. The worst part is that I paid for the “Extra-helpful De-vaguifying Bliss” and that is $28.47 I am not getting back.
When I’m feeling philosophical, I have answered “useful,” because, being useful is awesome, and, well, it doesn’t commit me to a specific trade. The answer is less awesome when you realize that the exact reason this answer is awesome is exactly the same reason it is useless, because if this is your heart’s desire, then it doesn’t particularly matter what trade you pick.
Of course, there seems to be a wee bit of disconnect between what you are destined to be, and how you keep yourself in cream puffs and porcupines.
I’ve heard there are people who get paid to do what they love, but it seems to be one of those myths that has been busted for all practical purposes. You are probably more likely to receive money in exchange for following your bliss if you have figured out what it is. People hesitate to throw money at you for just doing things you like to do. I learned this when I wanted people to pay me to watch T.V.
Maybe the trick is just to learn to enjoy what you do. It’s part mind control, and part self-fulfilling prophecy. If you tell yourself you like what you do, and then it’s a simple step to convince yourself that you are, in fact, doing what you love. Seems worth a try.
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