We had a great in class discussion on Wednesday. One of the hottest topics discussed was the struggle between doing what you love and doing what makes money.
Ferenc Mate says in his book A Reasonable Life says, “We began working for someone else. We had jobs. We worked interminable hours cramped in inhuman places without sun or air, and although the work was easier on our backs than tilling soil, it left a crushing load upon the soul” (Mate 7).
Despite what Walt Disney says, when I wish upon a star my dreams don’t always come true. Unfortunately, no matter foreign opinions, we do not live in a place where everyone’s got the golden ticket. Not everyone will live there dream, make millions, and have the perfect family.
It is great to be able to do something you love, but that should not determine happiness. I believe that we should not define ourselves and our success by job titles. We need to reeducate ourselves and future generations so that we stop measuring quality of life by our “stuff” and not our happiness. It’s crazy how parents think that if only they could give their kids more they would be better parents. Not realizing that children need their parents and parents need their children.
Amanda Halevan asked in her blog, “How can people be happy if they do not have anything in the future to look forward to?” I say, there should be more to look forward to than making money and having a “fulfilling” career. I say do what you love even if you don’t do it as often as you like or even if you don’t get paid to do it. I say, meaningful relationships fill up places in your life that no job could ever fill; not that people shouldn’t pursue their dreams.
It is important that we teach our children it is OK to break the mold and that it is OK to dream. We should expose them to as much as possible and encourage them to be creative because who knows what solutions they might have for our present mysteries.
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