Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Becoming Badass

When I was a kid, I had a pretty clear picture of who I was going to be when I grew up.  Unlike most of my peers, I was more Nancy Drew than Laura Ingalls Wilder.  (Actually, I was more Goldie GoldGoldie Gold than Strawberry Shortcake, but I don't think most people would get the reference.)  In my teen years, while my peers were dreaming of the prom and living their John Huges- inspired lives, I was dreaming of learning how to hotwire a car and fight.  I never actually did any of those things, but my fantasy life tilted much more in the direction of "spy/ daredevil/ superhero" than it did to "wife/ mother/ teacher."

Then time passed and I went to college and I got pulled into a more traditional view of who I was supposed to be.  I discovered the lure of conformity and the power of accolades.  My kick-ass dreams slowly faded and were replaced by more mundane life choices.  I got married.  I had kids.  I taught and I cooked and I even learned to sew...sort of.  I'm happy with the choices I made, mostly and I'm proud of the life I've built.  But now I'm staring 40 in the face and I'm wondering- is it too late for me to become the badass I'd always planned to be?  Can a 40-ish mom have both- 'cause I'm absolutely not interested in ditching the life I have right now for this other.  I just want both.  I want to be badass mom, badass teacher, badass wife and badass...whatever.

So your welcome to follow along, chime in, add your .02 and even take a bit of the badass challenge yourself.  There are a few rules, though.

1.  Nothing illegal.

2. Nothing immoral.

3.  My badass is my badass- no fair judging.

And that's about it.  I'll keep you posted.

7 comments:

  1. Of course you can be a badass and the traditional sorts of things at the same time! Look at the Bionic Woman. Teacher by day, super soldier/spy/agent by night (or summer break).

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  2. Wow, Laura. That's quite a high bar to set. Not, live it up a little, or try new things, but BADASS. I have to say some of this resonates with me. I like it...a lot! Can't wait to see what you cook up. I hate to admit, but forming a coed softball team that plays every Monday and making the kids go to cheer me on, whether they like it or not, is about as badass as I get anymore. Lead on, your Badassness! (: Laura

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  3. Help! How do I get out of here? I just left a comment and now they're making me write another. OKAY, OKAY! You're QUEEN OF BADASS! Now let me out, please!

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  4. Sorry Laura- don't know why you couldn't get out... Thanks for the encouragement! (Not that I need it, 'cause you know...I'm too badass for that.)

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  5. You get on with your bad self! I support any and all attempts to hone your badassery. (What's the first step, a Harley?)

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  6. I think you can be badass as you want to be, it all depends on what you want to do. Get a tattoo? Ride a Harley? My idea of badass may be way off your idea of being a baddass. What about learning to play electric guitar and getting a bunch of other badasses together to form a band. Even if you never play out, sitting in the basement, drinking beer and practicing tunes if fairly badass. At least I think so.

    I encourage you in all your badassness. Get down.

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  7. I don't know if a Harley is in my future, but a true badass knows never to say never.

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