Doctor, Lawyer, Merchant, Chief...

When my sister and I were little girls, we spent most week-ends at our Grandmother's home. Among her many talents as a retired elementary education teacher, she raised the most beautiful hollyhocks and zinnias.

Occasionally, my sister and I would pick a zinnia and one-by-one, pluck the petals as we recited "doctor, lawyer, merchant, chief, rich man, poor man, beggar man, thief." Our "game" would continue until all the petals disappeared and we were left with but one petal and one occupation. If we ended up with an occupation we didn't like, well, we just picked another zinnia!

Funny how, as I recall, we weren't trying to decide our own careers; nope, it seems we were trying to pick that of our future mates. Okay, so we were only 11 or 12, but back then, there were a handful of occupational choices "expected" of us: wife, secretary, nurse, and/or teacher (or at least those are the ones I was made aware of).

I pretty much knew I was in trouble when I expressed zero interest in any of those "opportunities". Not that they're bad choices, or anything of the sort; they just didn't interest me at that time in my life. I don't recall any of my high school "guidance counselors" exploring options such as "what about becoming a psychologist, or lawyer, or professor, or business executive?" I do recall a high school guidance counselor suggesting that I "find a nice boy and settle down."

Thank goodness, times have changed! Today, you can be anything your heart desires if you have the ability, drive, and determination to go get it. So, too few choices back then? Or too many choices for you now? Only you can decide what is good and right for you in today's global workplace...doctor, lawyer, merchant, chief....  What petal will you pick in 2008?

posted by: billiesucher