The college environment is one in which any individual can pursue any passion, dream or career they desire. Where they can explore hundreds of different areas of study and find themselves in the midst of everything going on around them. Lately, however, I’ve been meeting a lot of people who are really unhappy in their schooling. Comments such as, “I’ll make good money,” or “This job will pay well,” are increasing in prevalence. While job security is not a terrible quality, by any means, it almost makes me feel as though the color and diversity of campuses is slowly being drained and replaced with a dry, lack of feeling. Which poses the following series of questions:
If today's youth cared more for learning and expanding their minds than they cared about the money would we already have made it to mars? Would we be able to have launched our society into another world in itself? Would the cure for cancer already be in practice? Would discussion even exist about pay being raised at fast food restaurants? Would individuals be content in staying there; stuck because that's where the money coaxed them into staying? Would individuals place such high priority on the job that pays and get sucked into the monotonous drone of a routine, the only thing driving them a paycheck? A paycheck, a dollar, the coin, jewels. All items we say have worth, but do they really?
We live in a society that has predisposed many to commit any act to get ahead. What if our generation became one of passion? Passion in the things we do for ourselves, for our minds, bodies, for others. What if we placed worth, not on objects, but on each other? Then, we would live very different lives. Lives where only the best and brightest qualities in a person are seen and flaws or expectations are turned positive. What if we continue to expand as a collective culture? Continue to preserve and acknowledge the past, but also to learn from it to make positive changes instead of watching it repeat itself inevitably. We have learned nothing. Our lives are based upon greed, deceit, and climbing on top of one another so that the individual can make it to the top. People clawing past each other, putting others down, to make one stand apart from the rest.
But what we don't recognize is that we all can make it to the top, if we help one another to do the things that truly bring us joy, warmth and a sense of purpose. That is true wealth. And only an individual can know and understand these things to find an environment where they thrive, grow and feel worth.
An anonymous quote exists that says, "Do it with passion or not at all." Find your passion. Find your purpose. Find what makes you happy. Use it to shape your life and influence others in the best way possible. Don’t ever feel like you have to step on another individual to get there and never be afraid to help any one who may benefit from it. We have the power to make changes. Will we?
