Escoffier

"How many of you are living false lives?"

We all have heard this line at least once in our lives, from a parent, peer, mentor or maybe a complete stranger. We may have even asked ourselves this in front of the mirror or during our sleep. It's one of those questions that sound simple yet makes you think, lets you reassess your life choices and gives you a reason to reflect. 

Back in the days when we, as perky little first graders, were asked about what we wanted to become when we grow up, I remember hearing kids utter the most usual: doctor, lawyer, teacher, singer, actor, scientist, astronaut. Me? I wanted to be a cashier. I found that job the most interesting. I wanted to man a cash register, punch out grocery items, receive and hand out bills and coins proudly like I did my math correctly. I know it sounds absurd, one that'd make you go "What the hell?" but I can't blame my young self for finding that job fun and cool. 

Dreams change, of course. My grown up dream job is something everyone who knows me well enough know. (I have sort of blogged about it in the past as well.)

I want to be a chef.

It's not a fancy job as most would think. Not all chefs are living the life of a celebrity. I'm currently reading Anthony Bourdain's 'Kitchen Confidential' and in it, Tony describes in detail what happens behind the scenes of a restaurant, a place where chefs perform their magic. He worked the ranks before hitting it big. All chefs do. 

I've already worked in a hotel kitchen as a trainee. My first ever paid job involved managing a prep kitchen of a pizza chain. It's messy. It's laborious. Heat. Sweat. Shouts. Tension. Stress. It's wonderful. Beautiful, even. I love it. It's the kind of workplace I would love to be back in. A place I'd love to grow old in. 

Cooking is an art. Every meal is concocted with love and a bit of passion thrown in. I want to learn more from the seasoned masters of the craft. I want to fail numerous times and be shouted at -- Gordon Ramsay style, and learn from every mistake. I want to succeed and be a great chef and somehow get to impart the knowledge and skills I'll acquire in my road to chefdom.

Dreaming big? Why not? Am I living a false life? Definitely not. I may not be living my dream job. Not yet. But where I am and what I am doing right now will take me there. A step at a time.

I'm ending this post with three essential things that I believe we need to keep in mind in our path towards achieving our dream jobs, a note for you and me: Unveil your gift. Take action. Thrive. 

This post is part of a series of blogging challenges by the Wanderrgirl herself, Arriane! I've been partnered up with Belsha, who at the moment dreams of becoming a college professor. Go check out her blog as well!