Son: "Mom I need you."
Me: "Be there as soon as I can."
I drove an hour and half, fighting fatigue and wondering how I was ever going to stay alert at work the next day. I finally crawled into bed at 3:30 a.m. Let's just say heavy doses of caffeine were required for me to get through the next day's shift.
Me to son: "Are you still thinking pre-law is for you? Have you been writing? You are such a gifted writer and writing is such a healing tool."
Son: "I was actually thinking of switching my major, but I wouldn't make any money."
Me: "Do what you love and the money will follow. There are more important things in life than money. Money can be lost in the blink of an eye. It's more important to find your passion, be content and have peace."
Son: "I wouldn't be able to help people."
Me: "Do you think you can't touch lives through writing?! I have received so many emails from readers telling me how my blog has helped them and encouraged them in their own lives."
Son: "Talk about a cliché...the struggling writer."
Me: "There is a cliché for everything. Lawyers are sharks, for example. I'm only suggesting that you have a gift and that in life, money should be secondary to our passion."
The American dream tells us go for the gold. Get the six figure income. Buy the big house and the shiny sports car and you will be happy. Our hearts tell us where our true happiness lies, we just have to listen.
How many people do you know that are making a hefty income but are miserable in their career?
Thanks to everyone who entered the Urbanara giveaway. The winner chosen by random.org is Keri of Ivy Clad. Enjoy, Keri! I will email you for your shipping info.
Giveaway: Enter to win a set of bangles from Stella + Dot.
That is truly wonderful advice.
ReplyDeleteI've never found my passion, ive sort of given up on it now!
Great advice Debby just follow your heart and the rest will come. I'm lucky I found my passion after years of schooling and doing the wrong thing that didn't make me happy.
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Debra~
I am so glad that your son has you to talk to about this. My parents were much the same when I made the same decision earlier this year; I gave up pursuing a career in health care because it wasn't feeding my soul, and I am now back at university doing a masters program in writing, editing, and publishing. I have never been happier. Yep, I may be a struggling writer who will be working three jobs to pay the bills while I am hammering away at a novel, but that suits me. I don't have the concentration skills to be able to do one thing for the rest of my life, I am an itinerant soul but now a happy one at least.
ReplyDeleteDebby, thank you for reminding us all that you can have a full bank account and an empty soul, or choose smaller pay checks and be wealthy in the ways that count.
Darling friend,
ReplyDeleteThis post is speaking directly to me.
I have been concerned about the unsteady income from my art attempts, wondering if I made a wise choice. But your words are speaking to me AGAIN, to go with my heart. I have worked for over 30 years doing things (with the exception of teaching French) that I did not love. If it were not for the changing educational system, I probably would have not resigned from teaching. BUT there is something I need to do: I need to create. But it has not proven to be lucrative, and of course not. But God knows our needs and most of all, THE PLACE HE CARVED OUT FOR US. I suppose as your son and I and countless others remain faithful to HIS calling, the rest will follow as we SPEAK to the world with our art.
I wish YOUR SON success, joy and YOU.....a good day's REST!!!! LOVE IT! Anita
Smart advice from you as his mom....its up to us with the wisdom we have learned in life to pass it on and encourage them to follow and listen to their heart.....even sometimes when it doesn't seem to be the most logical choice. Happiness in the end will always trump success and always win.
ReplyDeleteI love this series and what beautiful advice. Passion is so much more important than money, I agree with you, the money will follow...I hope he makes a decision that is right for him. He's so lucky to have you as a mum xoxox
ReplyDeleteMoney definitely isn't everything. As long as I have my health that's what matters.
ReplyDeleteHappy Monday Hun xoxo
http://www.intotheblonde.com/
Debby-
ReplyDeleteThis is great advice you are going your son. Reminds me of conversations I have had with my children. Do what you love is the only way.
Congratulations to the winner!
Happy Monday.
Teresa
xoxo
great conversation Debby and hopefully your son will be happy with what he decides to do
ReplyDeletei think a lot of people hate their careers but stay b/c of the paycheck - i agree do what you love - and when you LOVE it - you WILL excel and make the $
ReplyDeleteWhat perfect advice~passion is key!
ReplyDeleteI can remember when my son called from college two months after he started. He said that he didn't think he could make it. I said, "Til Christmas." He meant for the next two weeks before break. He missed his girlfriend (since 8th grade) and he misssed being home. He made it the quarter and then came home and went to the local college for a year and then back to a closer university.
ReplyDeleteI so agree with what you told your son. It is more important to enjoy what you do than the money the job pays.
Great advice and certainly a post to make everyone think about what is truly important.
ReplyDeletehttp://missbbobochic.blogspot.co.uk/
Debby as always such a wonderful inspiring post! and so true. Many people making the $$$$$$ salaries are so busy working to keep up with the expenses of all the THINGS they have bought that they have no time to actually enjoy the fruits of all there hard work. You are a brilliant inspiration !! xo C. HHL
ReplyDeleteDear DEBBY! YIPEEEE! I am learning, from the pro...YOU! I am having a blast with the headers and I LOVE black. It is so sleek and classy. I still have NO IDEA however how to get that beautiful banner you made me with SCHOON script to go ....oh wait....I CAN OVERLAY IT onto the caption space.....never mind! teehee
ReplyDeleteYes my dear, I do believe we are often on the same wave length. We want to see good in the world and it is through writing that we can do it. Here is a quote by one of my favorite women poets:
“If you do not breathe through writing, if you do not cry out in writing, or sing in writing, then don't write, because our culture has no use for it.” Anaïs Nin
HOW ABOUT THAT??????
Thank you for coming to visit; it means a lot to me! Anita
Totally agree that money isn't everything. You have to love what you do and if you do the money will come in time. Happiness is so much more important than anything else really. Beautiful post and wonderful advice. He's lucky to have you for his Mom :) xoxo
ReplyDeleteI am not really going to explain...but I needed this exact conversation today! Thank you for sharing, sweet Debby!
ReplyDeleteDebby, You are such a wonderful mother :) This is the perfect advice for your son. As you said, follow your heart and you will be happy and success will follow.. in everything. I think BALANCE is so important. How much (in a monetary sense) do we need to live the life we want? I think people get caught up with the one-up thing and it distorts our values. Happiness is something that is internal and cannot be bought.
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leslie
Love the post! Good job.
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