Aspirations.

     It has just occured to me that I may use the word "intrigue" and all it's various forms way too much. Apparently I am greatly intrigued by a plethora of things. I may need some diversity, in which I give you....

    I find aspirations fascinating. Not in the fact that "aspiration" is defined as a strong desire, longing, or aim; ambition; a goal or objective desired. This is not the curious part of aspirations. This is actually widely accepted and pretty much natural. Aspirations are good things to have. So what is fascinating about these little (or big) buggers? I'm so glad you asked.
     From the time we're little bitty we have aspirations that are not practical, let alone realistic! I mean, ok, so some are legit - you want to be a mom, a wife, a teacher; you want to be a husband, a father, a fireman - but a bunch aren't.
     Elaborate? Thanks for the invite! As I have said, I'm a nanny to two great little munchkins. The oldest, "Little Guy", has one aspiration right now. To be....

     In fact, he wants to be Buzz Lightyear so bad, that when we stroll around the neighborhood and we encounter someone actually outside enjoying the day (I'm finding this is becoming rare) he very firmly says, "Buzz Lightyear! I'm Buzz Lightyear! BUZZ LIGHTYEAR". There is nothing gentle in his presentation of this desire. He is very forthright, as if he could just say it enough times it'll be true. He does not like to be called by his name - most of the time he corrects me and let's me know he is Buzz Lightyear. And when he sees a picture of Buzz, guess what he says? "Nanny, that's me." He 'flies' around with his wings, talks to starcommand (my husband very nicely takes this role over the phone at times), goes on missions, uses his laser, and defends the galaxy (or the family room, park, sidewalk, sister--though she's less than appreciative of this right now). But is he really going to be Buzz Lightyear? No. Buzz is not real. Many others aspire to be things like the President of the U.S.A., a CEO in a Fortune 500 company (I have no idea what that means), a movie star, a music star... but how many of us actually get there? Are these realistic for most?

     I can recall my childhood aspirations. As far as my memory allows me to recall, I haven't shared most of these with most. But as a child, I aspired to be:

• A Dancer (ballet, jazz, tap, did I mention ballet?)
• A Princess (with a castle and carriage and royal family by blood)
• A Music Star (not just a musician, but a star)
• A Writer of Books
• An Olympic Gymnast
• Did I mention a dancer?
• A Figure Skater
• Music Writer
• Perfect
  But mostly, I just wanted to be:
             Supergirl  (this has proven to be the most unrealistic and most damaging one yet)

Don't worry, reality hit in grade school for most, though Supergirl still taps me on the shoulder from time to time.

I had legit aspirations too:

• A Wife  
• A Mom
• 
  

  Poet      
• 
  

  Author   
• 
  

  A Musician

     I know that some of the "unrealistic" aspirations are actually legit on paper, but in the real world - some things just don't happen. But why is it that we set such high goals for ourselves? Even goals that are obviously unattainable due to physical, emotional, financial constraints (and any other type of constraint/restriction out there....I'm sure there are others...what are they?) It's good to aspire to do things, it's great to aspire to do great things - but our goals need to be realistic, attainable. We can't strive after something, like perfection or having a different blood line, that just isn't humanly possible. We'll go crazy - trust me, I've practically killed myself striving for some pretty unattainable goals. Superman and Superwoman are not real. We can't do everything, somethings we need to let go of - but why are we so determined, even at a young age, to have goals that aren't realistic? Can't we just be content with where God has brought us?

    How many of my aspirations have I accomplished? On the "unrealistic" list - the list I wanted and strived to have for way too long - none, zilch, zippo. How many of the "realistic" ones?  Hmm...I don't think that's really important, but I've gotten some of them and that's encouraging. But I do think that we need to all spend some time really thinking through the things we aspire to be and/or have. Aspirations are great - they're wonderful things, but when they're realistic. They may take some blood and sweat which is all well and good, but it's not good to set unrealistic goals for ourselves. I may respect those in the medical field, but that doesn't mean I should aspire to work there (I would pass out, you wouldn't want me as your nurse....trust me.) I'm not saying to give up goals - I just think it would be a good idea to reevaluate them from time to time and see if our aspirations are still on the realistic side of things. 

     I've found out some pretty rad things by taking the time to re-evaluate things. Like some of the things I thought I wanted I didn't really, and things I never thought I wanted are now interesting to me and a possibility when they weren't before.

     Be like Wall-E. Don't give up on your hope, but don't hope for something that is hopeless. Strive for things,  but don't kill yourself trying for something that isn't real.