It’s been a long time…trying
So I haven’t blogged for a long time. Partly, it’s laziness. Partly, I had nothing to say. Partly, there’s been a lot going on in my life that took up all my non-writing time – and in the last year or so, a lot of writing time too. However, here I am again. Maybe I’ll be more disciplined about blogging. I can try.
Try. Yes. Famously, Yoda said “Do or not do. There is no try.” (Star Wars. Even I know that.) I don’t necessarily agree with Yoda. I can try to sing – but without a vocal chord transplant I doubt that I’ll ever manage to sing, as opposed to sounding like a strangled raven that’s off key in two different octaves at once. I can try to paint a picture, but most four year-olds can do better than I can. I’ll never be a heart surgeon, or an architect.
Which brings me to the point. We tell our families, friends, and especially children that they can do whatever they want, be whatever they want to be. They can do it. They can do anything.
Except they can’t. They can’t be a film star if they can’t act – which starts with an inherent talent. Likewise, they can’t be the next Beyonce, or Taylor Swift, if they can’t sing or write songs – which also starts with an inherent talent. They can work at both, or either, and they may well become the mainstay of the local drama group or choir…but superstardom needs more than competence, and – certainly in the creative sphere – also needs a handy dose of luck. Right place, right theme, right time.
Children need encouragement to try things, to find their talents, to experiment. But later on, when the real world starts to bite, is it kind or wise to let people think that they can be a superstar, when hard work isn’t enough any more? (It’s certainly not kind or wise to let people think that they can be a superstar without putting in any hard work!)
Sometimes, you can try – but you can’t do. Maybe that’s the time to say, with Yoda: “I – or you – will not do”. But first, you have to try. Otherwise you’ll never know if you can do, or not do.
S.R. Garrae
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08BL935WY
Try. Yes. Famously, Yoda said “Do or not do. There is no try.” (Star Wars. Even I know that.) I don’t necessarily agree with Yoda. I can try to sing – but without a vocal chord transplant I doubt that I’ll ever manage to sing, as opposed to sounding like a strangled raven that’s off key in two different octaves at once. I can try to paint a picture, but most four year-olds can do better than I can. I’ll never be a heart surgeon, or an architect.
Which brings me to the point. We tell our families, friends, and especially children that they can do whatever they want, be whatever they want to be. They can do it. They can do anything.
Except they can’t. They can’t be a film star if they can’t act – which starts with an inherent talent. Likewise, they can’t be the next Beyonce, or Taylor Swift, if they can’t sing or write songs – which also starts with an inherent talent. They can work at both, or either, and they may well become the mainstay of the local drama group or choir…but superstardom needs more than competence, and – certainly in the creative sphere – also needs a handy dose of luck. Right place, right theme, right time.
Children need encouragement to try things, to find their talents, to experiment. But later on, when the real world starts to bite, is it kind or wise to let people think that they can be a superstar, when hard work isn’t enough any more? (It’s certainly not kind or wise to let people think that they can be a superstar without putting in any hard work!)
Sometimes, you can try – but you can’t do. Maybe that’s the time to say, with Yoda: “I – or you – will not do”. But first, you have to try. Otherwise you’ll never know if you can do, or not do.
S.R. Garrae
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08BL935WY
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Wendy
(new)
Nov 27, 2024 10:22AM
The logic in your post is refreshing. I remember as a child I would pretend I was a beauty queen, after watching the Miss America pageant. I realized as a teenager that I would never be a beauty queen. I wanted to be Jacques Cousteau, but found out I get seasick VERY easily. Eventually we find our way in life, if we explore new possibilities when reality proves that we can't do everything.
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Indeed. Everyone needs some guidance along the way, from a kind - but truthful - source.
That is very true indeed, S.R. Garrae, and something I deal with in my job on a regular basis.I remember an 11-year-old telling me he wanted to be in the FBI when I asked him (and other students) what they might like to do later. There were also a lot of vets!
We basically have a little less than four years to help them transition from childhood dreams to reality. Sometimes, those dreams will turn into reality, if realistic, but if not, we need to gently confront the students to reality. It's all part of growing up.
Lying is not a kindness.
