My thoughts – Dec 2010 / Jan 2011

“What do you want?” We’re asked this question often during our lives: what do you want for dinner; what do you want for the holidays; what do you want to be when you grow up; what do you want to do with the rest of your life? I received a gift two years ago with this same question etched on a rock that rattles when you shake it. The rock is meant as a reminder to inspire thoughts and ideas or to help you “shake off” a negative thought.

The card attached to the gift has a picture of a black crow standing on a similar rock and it says “What do you want to be when you crow up?” Cute, right? This rock has been sitting in my kitchen since I received it. I look at it at least once a day and occasionally pick it up, shake it, and think I want happiness, good health, inspiration, motivation. Recently, I started to ask myself, what do I want to be when I “crow” up?

Paloma Garcia-Lee, our nineteenth Bucks County WOMAN cover, is only nineteen years old, and she knows exactly what she wants to be when she grows up—a star. In fact, she already is one. Some would say that it is genetic—her parents both have roots on Broadway—but after meeting her, it is clear that it is more than her good genes that won her a starring role
in Phantom of the Opera. She is smart, beautiful, talented, and she works hard for it. She is clearly mature beyond her years, well travelled and has the energy of—well—a nineteen year old.

Paloma has been imagining herself on stage for as long as she can remember, and her dreams have come true. She is remarkable, and I believe she has a big bright future ahead of her.

I admire people that know exactly what they want at such a young age, and then I think back and remember I did know what I wanted. At nineteen, I wanted to be a physical therapist; at twenty-two, I wanted to be an optometrist; at twenty-five, I wanted to travel the world, and the list goes on. The one thing I did learn about myself is that I want to continue to grow. I want to experience life and live every dream as it comes to me.

Working with Bucks County WOMAN has allowed me to live another one of my dreams and create the next chapter in my book. The magazine has given me the opportunity to meet some of the most amazing and inspirational women in the area. It has introduced me to some of my dearest friends, and recently, it has inspired me to follow my dreams.

This is my last issue working with BCW; I am moving forward to pursue my next adventure. I sincerely thank all of the readers who have taken the time to read My Thoughts. I will be staying in the area, so
when you see me at Fred’s Breakfast or riding my bike through our river towns, be sure to say hello. I have big plans for myself, so stay-tuned. And I will
leave you with this last thought from Henry David Thoreau, “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.”

Happy Holidays,
Janine Carroll