Who Could You Be?

When I was younger, I always wanted to be something.

Didn't we all?

Whether it was a fireman, astronaut, or doctor, we all wanted to grow up and be something.

We had dreams we wanted to achieve and we wanted to be successful, even if we weren't sure what successful meant or looked like.

For me, I had a new career path every day it seemed.

Veterinarian, princess, nurse, stay-at-home mom, fashion designer, chef, psychologist, photographer, lawyer, politician, senator, and those are just the ones I can remember.

I love that for anyone the choices are unlimited. You could be anyone you want.

There was a little kid song one time, I think it was from Barney.

Okay, so I'll admit it. I love Barney. He was the bomb when I was little and I still can sing almost everyone of his songs. What? They were catchy.

Anyway, Barney sang a song called, 'Who Would You Be?'.

The lyrics, 'Who would you be? Who would you be if you could be anybody? Who would you be?' and the singer burst into different career paths, blah blah blah

(Now that I think about it, I think Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen sang that... Okay, you caught me, I liked them too).

That song was awesome to me because it told me I could be anything I wanted.

So of course, I picked the crazy, impossible, only-that-weird-Jimmy-kid-from-science-could-do, things.

Yeah, yeah, so I was some what of an over-achiever as a kid.

Yes, I did want to build some pretty crazy things, and I did want to be successful from a very young age, but to me that was fun!

It was fun letting my mind run wild and to try doing the impossible things as a child.

I figure, that is why, at 15, I have my own photography business.

As a child, I created a passion inside my self to achieve the unachievable.

To do things differently then everyone else.

To dare myself to reach for goals and dreams that may be out of my reach.

To be unafraid of being myself, no matter what that self looked like.

It bothers me when parents tell their kids that they can not do something because they are not big enough, or old enough or that isn't the way it is supposed to be done.

Somethings, I understand, but why not let your kid draw out the lines?

Why not let your kids help you make dinner?

Why not let your kids have fun and explore?

Why not let your kids get dirty?

I understand limits must be set, without them there is no discipline, but let go and have fun one day.

Let your kid get dressed them self.

Or have them pick what's for dinner (Yes I understand you may have to have mac & cheese. Or heaven forbid, McDonald's, but is that really going to hurt you?)

Or let them show you how they do something?

Ever wonder how they have such rockin' dance moves?

Or how to play that video game?

As we get older we forget what it was like to be a kid.

To be carefree, and to laugh at silly things, or be crazy sometimes.

I did all of these things and I turned out okay.

I have parents who love me and inspire me to reach goals.

I learned that nothing is impossible if you have a right heart, will power, and God on your side.

I know responsibility, and I have a good sense of humor.

I know how to cook and I know I hate the taste of alcohol.

I know that sometimes it is okay to laugh at yourself, and it isn't the end of the world if I make a silly mistake.

Seriously, is that so bad?

I mean, this summer I am traveling to Washington DC to be a page for the United States Senate. I have been offered many different opportunities because of my academic excellence, creativity, hardwork, and leadership skills.

If I thought these goals were too hard or not worth it, I would have given up long ago.

I maybe still a kid, but I do know what being a grown-up feels like and I do know a thing or two.

Responsibility, is one thing, but growing up is another.

I mean who really wants a 4 year old who sounds like a 34 year old.

You take the cuteness factor right out!

So my last words for this blog are this;

One day let your kids open your mind and eyes back up to the wonders of their world. Trust me, it is worth it!