I'm going to start this off by saying money is important. Money is what you use to survive. Money is something, but money isn't everything. Happiness is something that has become very important to me in recent years. Happiness is your health. Happiness should be important to you. Not everyone will be lucky enough to get their big break in the performing arts or other areas, but that doesn't mean you can't still be happy and work in a field you love. Just because you haven't become a famous actress yet doesn't mean you should give up and go to medical school. If you love something, I promise you will find a way to make it work.

I know a lot of parents teach their children that they need to go to college, become a doctor or lawyer and make lots of money to be happy. I'm not saying they're wrong for saying these things, they love their children and only want to see them succeed — but nobody should do something at the expense of their happiness. Money does not make you happy. You can have all the money in the world and still be the most miserable person in the world. You could have next to nothing and be the happiest. Money is not how you measure happiness.

I remember when I was going through my really awkward stages (even more awkward than I am now) all I wanted to do was make others happy. I always talked about how I was going to become a doctor and go to medical school. Truth is, I hate science. I have no interest in science. My passion is singing, dancing and acting. Once I got a little older and tried to picture my life without any of those things, that is when I realized I couldn't live without them. I couldn't live and be happy being a doctor or lawyer. I know my parents weren't going to be as proud (or as a thought) but I needed to go for what I loved.

I know I may not ever make a whole lot of money, I do know I will love what I do every day of my life. As long as I get to sing, dance and act, I'll be okay. I've learned I can't be happy without these. My happiness feeds off of them. I can be almost in tears and having the worst day and then decide to start dancing, and it fixes all of my problems. The performing arts is my form of medication, it's my happiness, and I can't live without it. No matter what I'm paid, I have learned no amount of money in the world is worth being sad every day of my life. No amount of money in the world is worth giving up my passion. Throughout my life, the one thing that has always been there is the performing arts and even though it may not pay well, I will still continue to pursue it. It will be difficult but I will be happy, and I'm content with making less money and being happier.

Money is important. Money is something but money is not everything. Pursing a career in the performing arts or another field that you have a passion in may seem difficult at times but it will be worth it in the end when you are happy every day, doing what you love.