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What does that word even mean, anymore? According to dictionary.com it means: ac·com·plished [uh-kom-plisht] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation –adjective 1. completed; done; effected: an accomplished fact. 2. highly skilled; expert: an accomplished pianist. 3. having all the social graces, manners, and other attainments of polite society. In the world, I think the adjective is used more for the skilled and elite members of society; those who have plaques all over their wall, publications, businesses, a nice home, etc. All the material products that indicate that someone has done something "meaningful" with their life. The question, then, is, what is meaningful? What is meaningful to me may not be meaningful to you, but what is meaningful to society on the whole is probably that which I just illustrated. In America, at least, you have to have a degree (or 3), a good paying job, and at least a few plaques on your wall to set your status to: Accomplished. This idea is troublesome for me, as I have no idea whether or not I will become accomplished in the sense of the definition I presented above. I like to believe that the things I do in life are important and establish me as a worthwhile humanbeing, but "worthwhile" is another one of those words with a precarious nature. What some people consider worthwhile may, once again, not be worthwhile to others. And in America, worthwhile probably places itself somewhere along the lines of accomplished. I do many things presently that make me classify myself as worthwhile, but not necessarily accomplished. I take care of little children and have been doing so for several years now. I make sure they are fed, clothed, comfortable, healthy, safe, having fun, happy. I help them to grow and learn. I am a part of their development process; I have influenced their maturation. I also do yoga a few times a week, which has been transforming my own physical health into something of magnificence. Yoga also has helped me to reduce stress, focus on my center, and my own place in this world as a person who feels things and contributes to those around her. I have been putting in immeasureable effort into keeping my relationship with my boyfriend healthy, happy, and the best it can be. These things, I fear, would not be classifiable under "accomplished" as society sees it. Perhaps I am wrong, but I think my BA degree in Psychology and my current enrollment as a graduate student with a major in Early Childhood Education are seen as a little more "worthwhile" in becoming an "accomplished" person who will someday be able to buy a house, pay her bills, contribute to society (in a manner that is more along the lines of business/economy), and have a family to raise and rear. My resume builders such as being a graduate assistant and working on studies, etc.; my internship senior year at Uconn-- these are things that make me accomplished. I do not have a "real" job yet-- still pulling in money under the table for nannying and babysitting; getting paid little by Central for being a graduate assistant- but I am supposed to be applying for Montessori teaching positions soon-- This particular assumption is what is making me question accomplishment to begin with. Will I then, finally, become an accomplished member of society? If I hold a real job, paying real money, where I can get a real apartment, and pay real bills with the ability to someday sustain a family and buy Christmas presents every year, THEN and only then will I be accomplished. Everything I am doing in the meanwhile is seen as a means to an end, instead of merely being what it is. In the here and now, I am surely making progress towards something, but I am having experiences. Maintaining health- both physical and mental. I am loving, with all my heart, a boy whom I wish to see become a continuation of my life, but for right now, just enjoy that I get to love him each and every day. Shouldn't this be what makes someone accomplished? Someone who is doing what they want to be doing?
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