the power to just, be.

Parents and students often ask me for college advice, and as I was writing a reply to a parent, I felt this is something I want to share with all of you too... and as I was thinking about it all...I realized how this (in my opinion) relates to the Wall Street Protests.

In life...follow your heart.
What do you want to be when you grow up?
We get asked that question through out our lives... and the answer for many of us changes from time to time-- but we all want to be happy and successful.

I went into college as a psych major, then went back and forth for a year between journalism and international relations/politics.... then art therapy.
I graduated with both a BA in psych and a BFA; then struggled with what to continue with. I thought of a Phd in Psychology, an MSW or an MFA. Decisions.
I was working as a mental health counselor and at the same time actively exhibiting in galleries throughout the DC area. I was indecisive and had to consider the economic impact of  being an artist vs being a social worker or psychologist; I was a single mom, so my decision had to lead me to a position where I could provide for my child and myself.

A friend said to me: don't settle, only do what you really, really want to do.

I pondered what to persue my higher education in, I asked  myself: who do I want to spend the rest of my life around- wacky, temperamental artists...or wacky temperamental social workers? The artists won out (then I married one!).

I have never regretted my decision-it eventually led me to my initial dream: working with children (this is why I had gone into Psych) and painting.

Had you asked me years ago if I wanted to teach I would have adamantly said NO. My mom is a teacher, and I once did a few months stint teaching after school Spanish- I hated it.
I had wanted to work with children one to one... to help kids like the ones I read about in books like "Dibbs in search of self". To make the difference in one child's life.... yet now I believe I help make a difference in many children's lives through my teaching. Life is a path .... a non linear one.

I remember a very good student I had...she drew very well.... yet she wanted to be a "foot doctor".  She went off to college and focused on that. I hadn't seen her in over three years, and a few months ago, there she was sitting across from me at a County meeting as an intern for the public art dept..... and says she is loving it (!) her heart led her back around to her passion.

Amazing how life is not a straight shot, nor is it circular, but rather it seems to be as a spiral always bringing us back to center, to heart--but only when we listen to the passion within.

I believe that  the important thing  is to know what is out there.... not only in what we think we want to do/be, but opening ourselves up to the infinite possibilities...

We tend to lean towards what attracts us most.  Knowing what we do not want is a good start....(I wanted to fly, applied and got into the air force, but withdrew within the 48 hr period when I realized getting up at 6:am to yells or bells was NOT something I would be thrilled with doing).
 In time, we find we love some things more than others.

That's the main thing:  find what you love, reach for your passion within, it is always there...

 All this focus on the economics of our lives ..this drive to own "stuff"...it has always existed, but it has been exaggerated more and more as of late.  I think this is what many people protesting in Wall Street right now are all about...it is not only what "they" have done to us...but what we have done and are doing to ourselves and our world by buying into the culture society has been offering.... focused on money and five minutes of fame.
We have forgotten the beauty of simply being. Not doing, just being.

We change as we grow older....but I think one of the best things about growing up is being able to be true to yourself and your dreams-to be who we really are; and those dreams are still in the making...each day is a new opportunity to live the dream, reach for the dream...or even create a new one much closer to heart.

What is your dream?.....Now, make it your goal...now, reclaim it as a part of you: be who you really are!