For the past couple of months, preoccupations with money has extracted most of my energy and my time, as I am sure it has with many of you. I know that recently I have been discussing lighter topics, those of which do not place a burden on our everyday lifestyle. However, today I thought I'd vent on how much I HATE MONEY. And how sick it makes me to allow something so materialistic to control peoples' happiness.
During the latter years of my high school career, and especially throughout my freshman year of college, my peers have been making decisions towards their studies and career paths they wish to take. Me, however-- I am still stuck in square one, with absolutely no idea of what I want to do for the rest of my life. For the most part, I am encouraged to take a route that promises a "successful" future, where I am well-off, with a comfortable financial cushion to support me. Who wouldn't want that? More often than not, I convince myself it is smarter to choose a career path that promises wealth. The thing is, though, who in the hell has the power to define success for me? What if my success is living in a tent in South America, teaching children the English language, or about religion and placing their faith in God? I mean... success is just a word, right? It is not a feeling or an emotion. It is a shallow word. A word we invented. A word that can be interpreted differently depending upon the person.
In one of my business classes this semester, my professor sold the notion that too many students invest their money in a major that will not provide a return on their investment. Sure, that's true financially. It is a safe bet that a degree in a business field or medical field will provide a stable return. But that does not necessarily mean that those individuals are happier and live a better life than those who do not choose such career paths. Instead of being surrounded by people obsessed with financial success, I want someone to encourage me to do what I love, and let the money follow. Money dominates much of our lives already, I don't want to give it permission to control my happiness, too.
Sorry for preachin' errybody. Just somethin' I wanted to get off my chest. Enjoy your week!!!
SOO inspiring Mar. I was thinking today about hiking down from Ice Lakes on SFS in the summer of 2010, and how we discussed what we wanted to do for our career... the first thing you told me was counseling, because you wanted to be there to provide comfort to people. My point is this: You've got passion for so much, so explore that passion love. that's what my momma tells me college is all about (she regrets not searching for her passion in college, she settled on an English major... with that major she can professionally edit my essays and write one hell of a letter, but that's about it).
ReplyDeletePreach on-- My belief is that success is about a lot more than a number on a paycheck. It's about establishing your "profassion," a word my dad made up to signify linking, intertwining, and absorbing your passion in whatever profession you choose. It'll come to you-- look for those signs.
I love you. You rock. Nuff said.