We go to high school. We go to college. We pick a major and study our a**es off trying to earn our bachelor's degrees. Some of us even go on to earn our master's or doctorate's degrees. But, are we doing it for the right reasons? Nowadays, it seems that people do all of this schooling just to get a job that pays well. Everyone wants to earn the big bucks. What happened to following our passion and dreams because that's what was going to make us happy? Following our dreams has become such an unrealistic notion.

Now some of us are fortunate enough to have dreams and a passion they are pursuing in which they will earn a hefty salary. Some of us aren't so lucky. However, does that mean we stop pursuing our goals? Just because our dream job doesn't have a large pay, we should alter our paths?

Altering our paths just for money can often lead to a life of unhappiness. Even worse we may experience a life that is incomplete and unfulfilled. I am a strong believer that money can't buy happiness, and money is definitely not a mark of success. As long as we live within our means, anyone can live comfortably with all of the necessities of life no matter the salary.

When I apply for a job, I already know that it will not pay exceptionally well. However, some live in the fantasy world that, when they graduate, the real world will greet them with open arms and hand them a wonderful job with a glorious salary attached. Now that may happen for some, which is amazing. But, for those who do not see the money right away in a job they love are often deterred from the position and leave to find a job that pays more no matter what that job is. To me, that just isn't right. I would rather be in a job that I love with less pay than one I hate.

I am taking an accounting class now, and, on numerous occasions, the professor has tried to convince us to become accountants because the pay is great and the world always needs accountants. Now this accounting class is full of all sport management students who really have no interest in accounting. But we take the class in order to understand the basics and build a foundation of knowledge in the subject. Still, she tries to convince us day after day. I am sorry, for me, she could say that an accountant would make a million dollars, and I would still not want to change my career path. That's not my passion, and I will not alter it based on any dollar amount.

We have been brainwashed into thinking that having money is the only way to survive. Now having money is key, but we don't have to have a high profile career in order to thrive. Knowing how to utilize our funds, saving our incomes, spending on necessities and not wants. That is how we survive.

Like I said before, we must learn to live within our means. Of course, this is always easier said than done. Those who are disciplined enough and cognizant of their financial situation will be able to live the life they want. They won't need to sellout for a job they despise to do it either. Do what you love and you will find the drive you need in order to create the life you desire.

Now I am not naive in thinking we all tick the same way. We all are driven by different factors. Some of us are money driven, some of us are driven by our own desires, and some of us are driven by others. I am not here to tell you what is right and wrong when it comes to our individual motives. All I wish for people to consider is, are they choosing their course of action for the right reasons? Our decisions need to be made on the basis of what we need in order to be happy, to feel fulfilled, to have purpose, and to create meaning.

Take the time to really think of what you are pursuing. I hope that for you it's not all about the money. I hope you seek enrichment, fulfillment, creation, happiness, and, with that, success. Despite popular beliefs, those end results don't come from having a large amount of money. They come from following your dreams that you had when you first started your journey, and when the world didn't seem so scary and threaten you if you weren't a millionaire. You can still follow those dreams and pursue your passions and find comfort in your way of living.

Now the question is, are you still following your dreams? Or did you stop because the world said that it's all about the money, and you won't survive unless you make more? If you found stopped, it's up to you to say screw you world and do what makes you happy anyways. If you never let the world wag a finger in your face, keep going and never look back.

“If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.” – Henry David Thoreau