What do you want to be when you grow up ?

For me, I decided, or at least decided to decide a long time ago.

It was 1998 on a clear, yet hazy evening, pungent with the smells of Singapore, with freighters bobbing offshore, their lights glistening and shimmering against the water. The resort we were at seemed frozen in time, an Andromeda strain version of luxury, but without any people.

There were three of us, and it's amongst the most clear moments I've ever experienced. We spoke of our motivations, our fears and anxiety. The dreams we had came into focus that night, and the plans to realize them also - though perhaps less clear on those.

It was one of those moments in life when you just knew things - you experienced clarity that was was uncommon. You had a vision unencumbered by the day to day stuff of life. Moments like that are few and far between.

It hasn't worked out of course, I suppose it rarely does. That's not a bad thing, or a good thing, it's just a thing. But I do recall that evening, and the three of us who had - for that one shining night, a clear view of what we should be. In a way that's enough. By that I mean it's enough to know that the answer is actually out there, its feasible to see it, grasp and understand. I'd certainly like to achieve that place again, but having climbed that mountain it's not as important anymore to do it again.

I don't imagine anyone wishes to drift with life from day to day, reacting and bumping along from where the current takes you. It's the whole point of wanting to establish goals, set plans in motion to achieve them and manage your life. And so I offer here that you can realistically hope to get to a place where you know what to do, what you really want....and then you can choose to accept and embrace it, or choose not to.

So now I know. And you - what do you want to be when you grow up.