I've been working up a hypothesis in my head for quite some time now and finally, I think, I am ready to begin sharing it.
My hypothesis is that, evidence of our greatest talents and contributions can be traced as far back as elementary school.
When I was seven, eight, and nine years old, Laura Muccini and I busied ourselves for hours playing school in the upstairs of my house. Her classroom was in my bedroom and my classroom was across the hall in Ann's bedroom. We taught lessons to dolls in chairs, read stories, and even administered and graded exams. The best, though, were the Blue Books my father brought home from Nassau Community College. I hoarded those books, because they made teaching my dolls feel real and because I loved filling the pages.
I filled the Blue Book pages with stories that I wrote.
Almost forty years later I have finally come full circle, realizing that I am my happiest when I am writing and teaching (blogging is perfect because, on a good day, I might actually teach through my writing).
But, there's more evidence.
The May edition of American Way Magazine published a short essay about acclaimed cartoonist, Sterling Gates. The first line tells of eight year-old Gates sneaking a flashlight to bed, so he could pour over his favorite comic books. It turns out Gates also earned his master's degree from the University of Vermont, where he studied in the Center for Comic Book Studies.
There's still more evidence.
One day after reading the article about Gates, I struck up a conversation with someone I met at Daniel's graduation reception. She was an artist and I enjoyed listening to her talk about the trials and tribulations of creating. As a matter of interest, I asked Amanda how her career unfolded and at what point she realized she wanted to do art full time. Without skipping a beat, Amanda shared that she knew she wanted to be an artist when she was eight and that it's all she has ever done.
I could go on about my husband, the entrepreneur, who, when he was six years old, sold roses around his neighborhood to make money. Or the conductor of the Alabama Symphony, who I met two weeks ago, and who told me that while his friends knocked on the door to play sports, he was always most interested in playing the violin. Or, I might even tell you about my friend Maureen, a stay at home mom, who, from the youngest of ages, remembers wanting to be a mother.
I think there is evidence to suggest that traces of our most innate talents and interests can be found at very, very young ages.
Add to my data collection by joining us in the Comment Section and telling us about you, or someone you know, whose contributions can be traced back to when they were seven or eight years old.
Shining off until tomorrow...