Follow your dreams.
Chase your passions.
Do what makes you happy.
Sometimes it’s easy to forget that these mantras we hear so often nowadays is a relatively new thing. Being a first-generation American immigrant, I’m almost certain “follow your dreams” was not thrown around in my parent’s families. There was no “you” to consider. You did what benefited the family and tribe, even if that meant personally sacrificing something or going the extra mile at your own detriment. My father was an insurance auditor for 43 years before retiring. Too say he loved his job would be far from accurate. He didn’t grow up with posters of inspirational athletes and exotic cars on the walls of their bedrooms like I did. He didn’t have a bedroom.
I was allowed to dream. I was allowed to pursue my dream in art and car design.
I had a choice.
Growing up in America, were asked things like, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Asking this question alone proposed was there was a choice to what you wanted your destiny to be. To even know there were options was a huge leap from the last generation of my family and I will forever be grateful for it. Many people I speak with forget this. There are so many periods in history and geopolitical scenarios we could have been born in, but we are living in this one where we do have a choice and the means to pursue it.
I witnessed extreme wealth during my college years while I lived in places near Newport Beach and Pasadena. The exotic cars, beautiful looking people, and gargantuan houses are some of the most intense examples in the world. This combined with the introduction of large display mobile phones and social media created an unprecedented surge of inescapable desire for a generation. I saw the dreams that were available in the flesh and on screen constantly in my feed. My imagination went wild.
It’s intoxicating.
Dabbling in these areas of high society and actually getting to speak with these individuals in the last fifteen years has definitely opened my eyes to some of the nasty realities of say, purchasing and owning a Ferrari, dating a supermodel, and keeping up a multi-million property. Hearing the details has made me realize that everything isn’t all that it’s hyped up to be and seriously made me question if I wanted to switch places.
Mo’ money, mo’ problems.
When you are feeling down about not getting what you want, think about all the human beings in history that have come before us that never even had a chance. Then think about all the people who have all the wealth and things in the world that are still sad, lonely, and have lost their soul. There is value in where you are and the story you are embarked on.
Make it yours.
Fuck yeah, it’s Friday!
““I think everybody should get rich and famous and do everything they ever dreamed of so they can see that it's not the answer.” -Jim Carrey
Comments