Where I come from

Where I come from, people expect kids, the age of 10, to know what they want to become in life.

Well, I seriously think it is a crime, no offence though and not like a punishable one either...just the feel of it. I feel it blocks or rather restricts the flow of imagination and possibilities to life's choices. I could become so many things!!! And even at the same time!!! Can’t I?

Many people from my class, back in 5th grade used to say,

'I would become a doctor' or

'I would become an engineer'.

Well, those were the most common ones I remember now... And I used to wonder, how come I never thought of it?

How come I don't think about it?

How come they know what they want to be? And how come I don't!!!!

It used to feel terrible at first, but then my parents consoled me by saying, I have all the time in the world to decide what I want to be when I grow up. So eventually, I got happy feeling I don't have to make a decision now and it's not like I'm going to start working tomorrow is it!?

I love everything I do and I put my best into all of them, so I see that I can do anything I set my goal to be.

Well although writing, photography, sketching, thinking, speaking and singing could be the best!

I always wonder how others know so much about what they want to become, or even if they really know what they are talking about... 

They never said, “I want to become a doctor to heal others”... And they weren't then that grown up to say, “It is my passion”. Well, I don't want to reveal their reasons either, for it may sound heart breaking...and now I guess you know what I mean...you are right!!! Just keep it in your head though!

How did they know what they wanted? How were they so sure that becoming a doctor/engineer is the ultimate thing they will do in life...?

I kept wondering... Maybe I was too slow... I thought...

Years later,

I met my old classmates in random places, in the theatres in hotels and even in the driving school...

I asked them out of mere excitement, if they chose science for their 11th grade, because the first thing I remembered when I saw them was 'doctor' / 'engineer'.

Eventually, I realized, only two or three actually took what they wanted to be as a 10 year old kid, the majority of them grew up to have other dreams...

I asked one of them, because I felt I had the freedom to do so...

'Didn't you say you want to become a doctor?'

And to that question she said,

'Oh I was just in 5th grade then... People change you know... I took economics.'

Well, that came as a shock and surprise to me, because I really thought they meant what they said in the first place although it was years ago, although they were, we were, kids but still! I took them to be serious about it! Big blow and a big disappointment.

Then I realized, how lucky I was, to have parents who would say I could choose whatever I wanted, by myself and they always guided me through it! I did all the wonderful things everyone did, I loved art and science and everything else too.

Then by 8th grade, I realized writing is something I like, and so by 11th grade, when I could finally choose the subjects I wanted, I would choose Humanities, I made my first decision! Yay!

I received both pleasant and shocking surprises from the people I met, when I told them I was doing humanities. 

Reason: Where I come from, science and commerce rule. Yes I mean it. That’s the norm, and when you pick different, some people say, “Wow you think out of the box!” “That is so nice… are you into civil service?” and some others say, “Oh you didn’t get good grades for science is it?” “What are you going to do…journalism or teaching?"

I let them all pass…Can’t I be the writer, who would inspire the (younger than me) youth to lead a peaceful sustainable and healthy life on Earth? Can’t I be the future editor in chief, of some famous journal? Can’t I be an artist, whose work, millions of people from across the world would come to see? Can't I be the next best Nat Geo photographer?

 Why would you want to come to any conclusion too soon?Why can't you just see where your interests would take you? 

Like my friends said, you may want to be a doctor today, but tomorrow you suddenly discover something more interesting, something more closer to your heart...change is the only constant...and also something you will need for survival...what if the world suddenly decides, it has too many doctors already, so the courses to become a doctor should be banned for a while, and what if you have to make another decision then?{ Chances are you may literally have a breakdown.}   

I can be anything and maybe everything, because no matter where I come from, my parents, teachers and a lovely bunch of other people gave me the freedom to choose. 

So a big thank you to all of those wonderful people in my life, for I feel so lucky to have your support and guidance.

Although I may sound too pessimistic about the world’s view of my choices… it wasn’t that harsh, I have had wonderful people, who loved my choice, I have had lots of compliments for taking B A English Literature for my college, and I'm truly happy for it feels like heaven, especially to write after so long, and thank you Launchora for giving me both a space and a wonderful audience!

Thank you for reading! Please do share your thoughts about this in the comments section...I would love to see different viewpoints on this...