tags: blogosphere, five lives meme, meme
I don't think this was intended to be a meme, but it is certainly has all the makings of a good meme. Basically, it is a self exploration exercise where you imagine that you could have five lives where you could explore five different careers, lifestyles, whatever -- what would they be? So if "Five Lives" became a meme, I'd be quite pleased because I am curious to know how all of you would answer it. I found it at Day by Day, an interesting blog written by a female postdoctoral scientist.
Well, for my first life, I would choose to be exactly what I am; a molecular evolutionary biologist who studies parrots of the South Pacific Ocean. This is my first, and best, life, without question, because I can spend every minute of every day thinking about and working with "my" birds. Basically, I know that my birds have a fascinating story to tell scientists about the nature of evolution, and I want to be their mouthpiece/advocate. The fact that many of these parrots are in trouble is also on my mind; I want to believe that humanity would wish to protect them in their wild habitats if they have a greater understanding and appreciation for them, as is the case for the Galapagos finches. As I see it, this life would involve a lot of travel and public speaking, writing and consultation, all of which I enjoy greatly.
In my second life, I would be a doctor and would live in New Guinea, offering medical care to the people there in exchange for learning their language and ways. Ever since I was a very young kid reading Wallace's Malay Archipelago, I have admired and been fascinated by the native peoples of the South Pacific islands, especially New Guinea. One thing that I am fascinated by is the incredible wealth of different languages spoken there! In fact, New Guinea has more endemic languages than any other land mass on earth. Relying on my talents for languages and for biology, I think I would truly enjoy this sort of life. Of course, don't overlook the fact that I particularly love the birds of New Guinea, which also helps me make my decision to live there amongst the native peoples.
Preserving the biology theme, in my third life, I would be a veterinarian, specializing in race horses and other performance horses. The reason I am interested in doing this is because, when I was a kid, I worked at a race track as a groom and exercise girl (I am much too tall to be a jockey, unfortunately). It was hard work, but it was fun and interesting, and involved a lot of compassion for each individual horse (I'll bet you didn't know that!). Combining my fondness and empathy for horses with my talent for biology and my excellent hand-eye coordination, I think I could help a lot of them to recover after injuries.
In my fourth life, I would be a writer. I would write about medicine, nature and science, and possibly also LabLit. This probably won't come as any surprise to most of you, but I have been a writer since the moment I first learned to read. Being a professional writer would not be a realization of a dream so much as it would be a homecoming of sorts. I would write books to support myself, but would specialize in short stories, which is the most demanding writing form, in my opinion. I would use my writing as an opportunity to travel, to investigate the world and its people, and I would happily tell their stories.
I'm not sure what I would do with my fifth life .. it would have to be something to do with animals (especially birds), writing or languages, biology or medicine, I think. Maybe be a curator of birds for a zoo somewhere in the South Pacific islands? Or maybe a hedonist? (it seems I have neglected the "fun" and "relaxing" part of my private life).
So how would you live your five lives, dear readers?
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Thanks for the kind words! I want to give credit to the originator of the 5 lives exercise - it's from "Wishcraft" by Barbara Sher - but I came across it while reading "Put your science to work" by Peter Fiske.
Sounds like you are way ahead of me in knowing what you want out of your life! I'd love to hear how you came to be so confident in your career choice :)
I barely know what to do with my first one. :-/
5 lives: Ohh this was harder than I guessed it would be. My list isn't as informative as yours but is the best I can do.
1st Life:
Well my present life has been interesting (in the Chinese curse type of way, as well as the nice way) so far.
Being less interesting might have been quieter & more comfortable but I'll keep it as my 1st choice. After all is said & done, the bumps along the way have made me me and I enjoy bird watching, engineering & training people.
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Some things common in my other four lives so I won't repeat them each time;
Parents not dying when I was so young or even better still being alive.
Be interesting to know what having a father around would be like. (just in case someone wishes to be rude; I do know who my mother and father are, just that my father died when I was very young so I never knew him as a person just a faded photograph).
Having enough money so as not to ever fear having to scrimp and scrape along again.
Not being as shy as I am.
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2nd Choice:
Studying Mathematical Physics and winning a noble prize, Mathematics and Physics fascinate me and I do wonder what would have happened if I had continued in Mathematical Physics rather than moving to Engineering.
Retire early and continue studying without undue pressure and visit all the RSPB reserves and similar around the world.
3rd Choice:
Be a recognized authority on Byzantium history, an amazing empire and very fascinating, and the other parts of the world it interacted with.
Retire early and continue studying without undue pressure and visit all the lands formerly part of or that influenced Byzantium (this would include China & India).
4th Choice:
Taking the leap and travelling the world when young before going to University. I find seeing new places & peoples endlessly fascinating and wish I had started when younger.
Then settling in a pleasant country and being an expert gardener. Not a designer as such, more creating and maintaining arboretums and gardens for flora & fauna.
5th Choice:
A successful and effective politician. Actually using power not only for my own good but also helping others.
Though this one is harder to work out as to do an excellent job a politician should be well versed in the trials of the hoi polloi and be well educated in the Mathematics/Sciences/Engineering and history, so I suppose going into politics late after a successful career in Mathematics, Science and/or Engineering would be the route.
In all of my lives, I would have learned to shoot by the time I was 12, and would have been capable of hitting a small moving target by 13, and might have had a chance to save my youngest brother from the guy who killed him.
Aside from that:
In life number 1, I think I would have studied biochemistry at university, and gone straight into research if I could have. Where from there? Dunno...but it would be fun to find out.
In life 2: Botanist/gardener/specialist in ferns, mosses, and "woodland garden" design.
Life 3: Either an entomologist or a forensic entomologist investigating the pathologies of murder victims. Hmmm; can't decide.
Life 4: The physics of building materials. And maybe a sculptor, on the side.
Life 5: Chopper pilot. Oh YEAH.
Interesting question. Of course, the REAL question is, how much of this can I cram into my current life?