When I was a child, kids were constantly asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” This was how adults asked, “What do you plan to do for a living?”

Adults began asking me that when I was 6 years old. Do grown-ups still ask that today?

“What will I do for a living…” looms large in our mind because we tend to define ourselves through our “doings.”

“I’m a photographer.” “I’m a hunter.” “I’m a football player.” “I’m an engineer.” “I’m a nurse.” “I’m a surfer.”

Richard Grant says that women are always human beings, but men are often human doings.

“Who am I being?” is a holiday question that deserves an answer.

But most of us never think about it because we’ve been told that “doing” is the essence of being.

But it is not.

I’m not going to offer you any advice on the subject other than to say that it’s a question worth considering. My friend Randy says unsolicited advice is the junk mail of life.

Randy gives me good advice but only when I ask for it. And I generally ask for it every Sunday morning.

Recently, Randy told me the 4 things his children are allowed to ask for each Christmas:

1. Something you want
2. Something you need
3. Something for others
4. Something to read

I think Randy is giving his kids a priceless gift when he asks them to make those 4 decisions each year.

And by the way, the amount to be spent on “something for others” is equal to the other three combined. 

Like I said, Randy gives me good advice.

– Roy H. Williams