Sometimes we, who work in early childhood education, people who society at large calls “babysitters” at worst and “teachers” at best, look at our peers and envy their success. People we went to school with are wearing nice blouses and going to meetings while we are playing with playdough.
Envy. It is a nasty word, but it something we feel. We tell the kids they are entitled to their emotions, and you are entitled to yours.
I just saw the movie Don’t Think Twice and it really made me think about this issue. The movie is about what happens to a group of friends and collaborators when one of them “succeeds.” He got what they all thought they wanted. That released envy, introspection and a change of focus for the other members of the group, changing all of them for the better.
When you hit the big time you have to move on form where you were. You don’t get to live in the neighborhood you live in now. You don’t get to keep the friends you have had for years. You are now the other. You don’t fit in any longer.
Revealing my age here, I have a friend from high school who went on to be an MTV vj. She made it. No one else I knew was recognizable nationwide in their twenties. I haven’t seen her in decades. I hope she is happy and fulfilled in her life. I know from facebook that she has gone on to many adventures, in high heels.
But I don’t want that life. I like my town. Getting to see my pals from school is fun. I love being married to my best friend from high school. The fact that my kids got to play in the same parks I did is cool.
There are days that I wish I could wear nicer clothes. I would love to go to dinner parties with people who shape the world. I would like for everyone to hear what I do and automatically treat me with more respect. To tell you the truth, though, I would be uncomfortable in that world. The number of times I have asked adult friends where the potty is, is embarrassing. You can’t do that when hanging out with CEO’s.
I like playing with playdough. I am grateful for the life I have. I will keep this life.
Take a moment below and let me know what you envy and what you love about where you are.