We Were More Real

As soon as we are able to associate jobs with prestige and work with status, the window closes.

The moment we begin to think of adult work as a career, something shifts.

But there’s a time before that. Maybe it’s kindergarten or first grade, when we can differentiate ourselves from others but we haven’t developed insecurities and don’t feel the grip of envy or the fear of failure.

Believe it or not, there is a time before we know that Johnny’s family is rich, and Sarah’s family is poor. And Jaren’s dad isn’t a doctor or construction worker, he’s just Jaren’s dad, and he painted the cool big picture that hangs in their living room.

During that time, we were not unrealistic.
We were not immature or idealistic.
We were not too young to understand.

Contrarily, it was then that we were not afraid.
Not jealous.
Not concerned with status.
It was then that we were More Real.

Who did you want to be?
What did you want to be?
It’s possible you’ve been running from it ever since.