Living With Passion or Just Getting Paid

This year I made a decision to pursue my passion and not make the amount of my salary my number one focus. The decision came about as a result of being completely unfulfilled at my job I thought I loved.

I became a nail technician because I love art and doing my own nails. I received a lot of compliments on the work I did, I was even recognized nationally for some of my nail art. Sadly the economy, an extreme amount of no call no shows, and people looking for the cheapest deal forced me out of the shop, into my home and eventually stopping altogether.

But that's another story for another time.

Being at home these past few weeks caused me to "review my situation". I did a lot of self reflection and even conquered some things that were hindering my personal progress.

It was in a moment, having a conversation with my kids about choosing the right career path, that I realized I needed to follow my own advice. So, I took the necessary steps to return to college and earn my Bachelor's degree.

The advice I gave my children was to follow their passion.

I wish I would have done that a long time ago. It would have saved a lot of heartache and money spent.

Writing has always been my first love. More than art,more than singing, more than making people laugh.
I had my first "published" article in the fourth grade, as a reporter for my elementary school newspaper. The following year I was named an assistant editor.

It should have been an easy choice from the beginning. However, I allowed others to talk me out of my passion. I noticed the same thing happening to a friend of mine. She's bright, intelligent and hardworking. She is also undecided about her future career. Expressing this in a group setting she had a lot of people giving her "advice". There was a lot of emphasis on how much she could make. No one asked where her heart was or what she loved to do. Just where the money was.

Following a paycheck or perks produces teachers who aren't dedicated, nurses who don't like sick people, computer programmers who would rather be outdoors and people in general who aren't fulfilled with the work they do.

Living for your passion has rewards that cannot be measured in dollars. In these hard economic times, people should do what is in their hearts, because When you work a job, you stand a better chance of succeeding.

You may not be monetarily wealthy, but you will be able to live fulfilled.