What Do You Love To Do?

I just finished reading this amazing book titled “Becoming Better Grownups” by Brad Montague.

This book has changed my perspective and thought patterns as a mother, wife, and regular ole human being for the better.

There are so many golden nuggets within this book, and I’m not going to share them all as I think it is a must read for everyone.

One of the chapters really struck me on a personal level.

I often get asked “What do you do for a living?”

My response: “I’m a stay at home mom.”

Before I even end my sentence I can see (or hear because we are still in quarantine) their expressions.

Some responses I’ve heard:

“That doesn’t pay much.”

“I could never do that, you are a saint.”

“You don’t have a direct employer?”

And so forth.

I’d love to answer their responses like this:

“It doesn’t pay anything monetarily, but I get paid in priceless moments. I’m present for each milestone.”

“I do not have a hidden halo, but I do feel I am doing Gods work daily by raising my son.”

“My direct employer is a eighteen month old, would you like to talk to him?”

*I never answer their statements in this manner, I keep it all to myself, until now.*

Something Brad talks about in the book is to ask better questions.

Think of a child you know.

Think of the questions they ask.

They never ask, “what is your job title?” or “How do you make a living?”

Children’s questions are more like this:

“What is your third favorite sea creature?”

“How many cheese balls can you fit in your mouth?”

“Want to play freeze tag?”

These are all way better questions that I wish I was asked.

So how can we adults be (in Brad’s beautiful wording) better grownups?

How can we return to the kid that lives within us all?

How can we unlearn what society has taught us to ask in social settings to better our interactions?

Brad suggests asking better questions and I’m taking his suggestion to heart.

Instead of: “What do you do for a living?”

Try “What do you love to do?”

Instead of: “Where are you from?”

Try: “What is the next destination on your bucket list?”

Asking better questions allows for better answers. And when we get better answers, I believe the world would be a better, brighter space.

We can rewrite the narrative, throw out the robotic scripts, and embrace our curiosity by changing our questions.

So I ask you:

“What do you love to do?”

Thanks for being here.

P.s. Check out “Becoming Better Grownups” by Brad Montague to read all of the other golden nuggets within this masterpiece.