Every day you are faced with this question, subconsciously or consciously. What is the most important thing? Should I do this first, or that? I only have time for one thing, but which one do I do? For some questions, it is easy. Do your homework first, then watch TV. Get dressed before you eat breakfast, or vice versa. Other questions, though, are not so easily answered...
I will start with a simple example: One question I am often faced with is whether I should do my homework first, or my chores first? Both help and gratify people, but I only have time for one. I always pick homework, but is that the best choice? Isn't the family the most important part of our lives and my gospel?
Now with a more complex example. I have thought often about my future. I have dreamed about becoming a great scientist or a great actor or a great writer. I have made plans to go to great and glorious colleges and universities. But then I realized, what would become of my future family? If I am away all the time at a job that pays no money, then how can I raise my kids the way that I am obligated to. I have drawn the conclusion, through a long thinking process, that the best thing to do would be to work at a job I don't like so much, but pays money, and lets me raise my kids. I mean, the choice would be different for everybody, because everybody is different.
That's what makes choosing the "right" path so hard in many cases. Everything is unique, and everybody is different. Of course, there are a lot of no-brainers out there, but there are a lot of subjective ones too. For example, my Uncle Jerry had cancer, and once he had gotten through treatments, the doctors gave him a strict diet outline. My Uncle Jerry love fast-food, though, and loved his hamburgers. They helped him enjoy the little pleasures of life, but this new meal plan said "No" to junk food. He had a choice: Live healthily, or refuse to give up a simple pleasure. In the end, he chose the simple pleasure. My choice though, would have been to live healthily, for I value health and good living.
Everybody's lives are full of choices. It is just a thing that makes us all human. If we didn't have to make choices, there would be no learning and growing. There would be no humanity. We have to make our choices every day whether or not we like it.
I try to live every day within my own standards of decisions. I would encourage all of you to do so as well.
I'd suggest getting a job you like AND be a father. Teachers get low pay for instance, but they still live life.
ReplyDeleteMy parent's suggest that I get at least 1 degree and a steady job on my way to a good career before I get into a serious relationship/marriage. I think their right. I mean, my parents got married the day after they graduated high school (they were engaged for 9 months.) and I was born the next July. They have had issues but I love my parents and they did pretty dang good. I mean, we may have problem's but they've been married 15 years but they want to spare me the hard times they went through. They have encouraged us to do our best in school and to go to college. Since I was 8 I've had a savings account for college. My sister has decided to be a Vet and I a Psychologist. This job seems the best for me because I want to help people. That's what I'm good at. It's also true that teachers get low pay but if their happy that's good. I think I may end up teaching Psychology at a college or high school somewhere eventually. Basically, what my parent's are saying is to make sure you can provide everything your kids need before you have them. I think their right. With me and my brothers it was a lot of trial and error. My parent's didn't have much familial support until me and my brother Aaron got older. They were basically on their own. My parent's worked VERY hard to provide for us and I'm very grateful for them getting us where we are now. My dad has bugged me a few times saying that I have to provide grandchildren for him to spoil in his retirement. IT's kindof funny when he does it with this pouty look like if I don't he'll waste away, LOL.
ReplyDeleteBrad, I think the question here is whether you want a happy family with everything they need or a job that will keep you happy. I bet you'll make the right decision when you come to it. I mean, everyone's morals are different.
Thanks guys. I guess I have a lot more thinking to do. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteBradley, this blog and the one written on friendship are very well written. I enjoyed reading them.
ReplyDelete