Bad Questions
“What do you want to be when you grow up?” I hate that question and believe it should never be asked, especially since there is only one appropriate answer: “my True Self”.
“What do you want to do when you grow up?” is a different question, and I don’t like that one either, but, at least, it recognizes the crucial difference between being and doing. I could write about the importance of living in the present and what-not, but the fatal flaw with the question is that it takes matters belonging to the Soul and walks them out into the light for someone else to see and evaluate and pass judgment on, and—worst of all—plant doubt about. Every “What do you want to do when you grow up?” is a bathing suit handed to a Soul and a hand directing it to a blindingly lit stage with a row of judges seated next to it and a standing-room-only crowd ready to hiss and boo or clap and cheer. And that Soul that had no idea what it might be in for? What happens to it after everyone else has had their fun and gone home to their own worries?
I like the metaphor of being handed a bathing suit and told to walk on stage.
Also, I love that photo. Did you take that recently? Using a dress mannequin?
Thank you.
I've never understood how to answer that question, and that's because I felt that an answer was owed. I hadn't considered that it's an inappropriate question and I generally wouldn't, in the moment.
"My True Self", as you suggested, or "none of your effing business" are valid and good responses, as is no response.