Ambitious

I am a mother.  I am an artist.  I am a teacher.

Do I really have to be more than that?!?

I try to be my best at whatever I put my hand to, so I really try to be the best teacher I can be.  I hope my kids think I am a good mother.

Why do people then think that I ought to be willing to jump in and do more stuff?!

"You are so good at art, will you do this project for me?"

"You are such a good teacher, you should go to this (insert conference, event, or meeting) and be an advocate for (insert cause here)!"

"Have you considered stepping up and being the (insert president, chair, or head of whatever they are talking about)?"

"You should fill out and apply for (grant, job, or other added workload), you'd probably get it!"

I realized not long ago that I should stop being upset when people try to push more stuff onto me and just feel the compliment behind it.

There is a natural flow of opportunities that ambitious people know how to take advantage of.  Do well in the things you are currently entrusted with and soon people will notice and start sending new challenges your way.  If you are ambitious, you grab hold of these new challenges eagerly and start climbing the ladder of success.

There is only one problem.

I am not an ambitious person.

I want to do my very best at what I have chosen to do with my life.  That is it.  Nothing more, thanks.  I don't need fame or fortune.  I like my quiet little life in my quiet little house with my (not so) quiet little family.

So, what I really need to do is perfect the polite, "No, thank you."