With several groups, I’ve had the occasion to ask this fun question lately:
If you can imagine yourself in parallel universes, what are some of the things you’re doing?
As you think back on paths you could have taken, but didn’t ultimately, how might those have shaped your life? What are you doing in those parallel universes? And as you ponder those, what are some life pathways you almost took in this universe? And what are some that you never tried, but you can imagine yourself doing?
As for the two I could have actually taken, there is a parallel universe where I finished a music composition degree in college, and I’m now teaching music theory at a university. That’s what I originally wanted to do vocationally. I changed my mind. There’s also a parallel universe where I’m teaching theology at a seminary. When I went to seminary myself, from the start to the finish, that’s what I most wanted to do. My path changed when I was invited into a local campus ministry position. That changed my life in meaningful ways, and among other things I do, I’ve worked alongside young adults ever since.
And as for the path I never tried but I can still imagine, there’s probably a parallel universe where I’m a choral conductor. I did a lot of choral music in undergrad, and to this day, I wish I would have studied the skill of choral conducting. I never did it, but I think I would enjoy it.
So here’s what I want to know: What about you? What are yours?
Feel free to share in a comment.
–Renee Roederer
Smuggling Grace 