Sunday, November 1, 2009

Butcher, baker, paint-chip card maker?

For years, I have struggled with the idea of what I want to do when I grow up. Vocational directives have always eluded me, as well as any concrete long term goals. Looking around at what appears to be millions of options, I think to myself, "I could do that... but should I? Could I? Is it fulfilling and would it utilize my gifts, well, gift"? (it's apparently card-making if you must know.)

I came across a New York Times article interviewing the Vice President of Elle magazine. An excerpt of what she said struck a chord in me...

Q. Looking back, do you feel there was a moment or experience that set your career on a different trajectory?

A. I started working at 16. I worked all through college. Work brought me success and money and freedom, and then more success and more money and more freedom. I failed a few times. I failed to get into the college of my choice. I failed to get into law school. And they were big failures for me, but I found the more I worked, the better I did, without ever having a goal. I didn’t have a goal. I wanted to be a lawyer and I didn’t get to be a lawyer, but all of a sudden I woke up one day and I was in publishing, and I knew what I was doing. As I look back, I think that sometimes you can’t have the five-year plan for yourself. If you’re doing something well, you tend to keep doing it. That's how you fall into careers.

Eureka! Could it be that easy? That is exactly how I feel, or how I think I'll feel. Sweet heavens ta-Betsy. I just thought I was being intellectually lazy and under motivated to assume otherwise.

Truthfully, I'm not even certain where all of my gifts and abilities lie. Some people tell me I'm good at eating and buying stuff on eBay, while others maintain that I'm at my very best when I'm sitting in a chair and breathing in and out. So, I continue to go around dipping my little fingers into any numbers of vocational pies and seeing which one suits my fancy, making sure to spend extra time with the pies that have chocolate in them. What's that? That did not correlate you say? Well, let me introduce you to my little friend, Attention Deficit Disorder. He'll be making his presence known on this blog at every missed punctuation mark or disjointed sentence. Do make him feel welcome today, would you?

But in other news, if I ever do make my own card line, I've got the name down. Friends, I introduce you to "Kissth Productions"...



16 comments:

  1. Well, I've just all of your posts, and I'd like to add that you have a gift for writing in an intelligent, articulate yet relaxed way. That's not easy to do.

    I agree with the career advice, and I've been around a while (I'm 47). I never planned on ending up in the job I hold, but I'm able to use gifts and passions within this job. I think that's why I've stayed with it in spite of how unglamorous it sounds.

    I loved the piece on depression. About 14 years ago, I went through a bonafide bout with it, and the description fits exactly. Exactly. In fact, it was painful to read. But the point about the foot masseuse was dead-on.

    Great blog going here. Keep writing.

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  2. Thank you for your kind words, 2nd Cup. It made my day (week, perhaps?) to have someone outside the circle of friends and family critique in such a thoughtful way. Come by anytime!

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  3. Oh Amanda Kate! That card reminds me of our trip to South Carolina and your fake scary teeth. Remember how scared that car-full of people were....and how funny they must have thought it to be once they saw the license plate was from West Virginia!

    You have more talent in your little finger then I do in my entire body! You are a beautiful, smart, funny and kind person. You will do great at anything you put your beautiful mind (not to be confused with that Russell Crowe Movie)to.

    This blogging thing is perfect for you....I think if you keep this up I'll, no doubt, be sitting down to a cup of coffee one morning and see you sitting next to my beloved Regis & Kelly!

    I better see you soon! I miss you too much to talk about!

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  4. Again my dear dear sister I have laughed outloud even went thru my knose if thats possible!!! and scared to death the children i am SUPPOSED to be watching and instead read your posted with the card picture!! Dylan could be your poster child if you need one:o) Or use my old 5th grade picture!!! HILarious!!! If for no talent at all you have a gift of making people laugh at you..I mean your funny as all get out!! I am sure I can give you MANY of things at my expense that you can use!! You could even be the next Pioneer women!! And actually I agree with the above you are right up there with Kelly Rippa!!

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  5. Oh I love the card Mander Kate. It's just so, so, so West Virginia. And you can thank ME for leading 2nd Cup of Coffee over here. She was MY internet friend first. But I love you so I will share. Again you made me snort my coffee out my nose and onto my keyboard. In fact, I think that was what the whole year that you lived with us was like. Just one jolly after another.

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  6. I'd like to place an order for 6 Kissth Productions cards that are "like" not "love" themed. I'll pay the asking price. As long as its less than ten dollars.

    I'm so glad you're doing this! And just pretend I'm outside your circle of friends as well.

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  7. Hi Amanda . . . I'm still trying to decide what to be when I grow up.

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  8. I personally like your "Robert Goulet" line. I have no idea if I spelled his name right. I kept that one so I can frame it and put it on the office wall. I guess I should make a profile for myself, huh? But for now, I will remain a deep mystery.

    ANONYMOUS

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  9. Hey Anonymous or just Nate Freeman, come out of the dark, come out of the closet. We all know who you are anyway-- Laura's slave.

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  10. Nope. Wrong anonymous. Nate probably wouldn't even comment on my own blog, if I had one. He has no time for that silliness, much like dad. Guess again, bonesy.

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  11. Thanks for your nice comment! It was great to read through your posts, too -- you've got good style, keep it up!

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  12. whar'd ye git th' nayme fer yer kards, thar, bones? 'at's enterstin! i thank yer smart n funnie, too!

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  13. Uncloak yourself, Anonymous! I know you're definitely off the West Virginia reservation but where is a mystery to me.

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  14. your getting lazy Bonsey there is no more posting to keep me laughing!! I must laugh to dull the pain!!! Come on girl!! Im losing it!

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  15. the redneck was me, bones: kerri. southwest virginia, not to be confused with the originalwest virginia. close, though.

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