Why is it that people feel the need to seek advice only from persons older than themselves? No. I say it doesn’t make sense. After all, younger persons remind you of where you once were…where you’re coming from. Their freshness and eagerness is a reminder of your previous zeal to excel at whatever is your true passion.
Age is not a measure of wisdom, and certainly not of inspiration. Older persons will have experience to share; yes there is no doubt to that. However along with that experience, they often share negative feelings, twisted and (obviously) subjective views on the topic.
I should make myself a bit clearer. I’m specifically speaking here about careers and job options, not everything in life. Older persons, I find often distract you from what it is you really wish to do, and you find yourself confused and lost as to what you should actually do. They distract and make you question yourself. Now, questioning yourself is good, but not too much! It leaves you with numerous doubts as to whether what you’re doing is the correct thing, and may result in not going ahead with what you really and truly wanted to. Connecting with younger, inexperienced people remind you why you wanted to do something in the first place, and why you love it. It gives you that final push to go ahead and do what you love. See, the thing is that very few people don’t have to choose between doing what they love and really want to do, and what they should do because the two are the same. The majority of persons in the world, however, have to make that decision. Should I go ahead and pursue what I love? Or should I just take this job? Who knows I may grow to like it? Nooooo. You won’t. Well…most likely not. Deciding to go against what you should do, and do what you love to do is a huge risk. Is what you love worth the risk?
I would say most people who are out there doing what they love took a big risk when they decided to do that, a risk akin to jumping off a bridge into a river. So. Now the question is: can you swim? Can you swim against the current? There’s only one way to find out. JUMP.
N.B. Please don’t misunderstand me. I fully understand the need to inquire about a profession or business field before venturing forth, and the importance of hearing from people in the relevant field. I’m just reminding you to connect with your earlier, younger selves and seek out your reasons behind wanting to do what you desire.
Good night, sweet prince.
-
Today was the day.
As I mentioned last week, Kaesea has been getting weaker and weaker. A
couple of days ago, he went to hop up on the bathroom counter an...
11 years ago
I like what you have to say here. It's true we can learn a lot from those who have been around much longer, but we must also look inside ourselves for what we really want in life. Looking back at what excited us when we were younger can help to bring that spark of passion back for what we once loved and may have forgotten. I'm in my 40's now and wish I'd just "jumped" at some opportunities. Instead, I took the jobs I really didn't want in order to make a living. By doing that, I really wasn't "living". Now I'm trying very hard to make that leap and do what I truly want to do. It's never too late to throw caution to the wind and just give it a go. Of course, I'm still going to try for the job I don't want to put food on the table, but if the opportunity I'm looking for presents itself, despite knowing whether I will be successful at it or not, I'm going for it. No more "Well, I'd really like to give it a try, but I'm just not sure how it will go". You have to be responsible in life, but you also have to listen to your heart and learn to follow the path that will make you happiest. So, yes, listen to what the older generations have to say as you may pick up bits of wisdom from them, but don't let it make you go through life with blinders on, not able to look all around you for inspiration and guidance. You'll eventually find that one passion just waiting for you just out of view.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you when you say that talking to older people might hinder one from finding their true passion in life, but none the less, the knowledge they have to pass on is a fruit worth picking. It may taste sour, but if you're hungry for as much knowledge as possible, it'll fill your stomach.
ReplyDeleteAs for talking to people younger then you, as a youth group organizer i can only agree. In a sense, whatever the withering embers of ideas that you are killing inside your mind, they can most certainly be awakened in a youthful and vigorous environment where thoughts are processed and minds changed as fast as an electric pulse can be sent between neurons.
In other words, a chaotic and unstable environment is refreshing for stale minds to be in. Cuz srsly, who wants to ferment?
nice post.
Ma'Salaam.
I recently found myself in a situation where I was given the choice to leave the well-paying job I was in and start my own business in a totally different and definitely riskier field. And like you observed, older heads were against it including my parents!
ReplyDeleteThank God my husband supported me and he even helped me make my decision to try it at being my own boss. And I'm liking it!