Her One Precious Life

"I wish I had lived the life I wanted, rather than the one I thought was expected of me."

That is one of the most common regrets of the dying. 

That is why I tell my daughter to go for what she wants, work that she feels passionate about, that makes her feel that she is using all of herself.

It’s not that she has ever been told she was expected to be a certain way. In fact, I told her she was whole and complete, and to find her way on her sweet, special journey.

But how does she develop that level of discernment about what she really wants when she is pummeled by social media and movies that implicitly and explicitly value certain paths over others?

I tell her she may feel drawn to the conventional, mainstream life and that is fine. It is also fine to be non-traditional, anti-authoritarian and non-conforming. There is a huge palette of choices. Her choice depends on her being honest with herself about what really makes her heart sing and what really calls her. 

I hope she is relieved that her mom does not have this popular regret, although I have others!

She has time. She will find her way. This is her one precious life. I love that girl.