“Man sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future, that he does not enjoy the present moment. As a result, he does not live in the present or the future, he lives as if he is never going to die, and then he dies having never truly lived.”
-The Dalai Lama
This morning a video popped up on my Facebook newsfeed, many times these videos are funny, entertaining, or a clip of my niece being cute. Every once in a while a video comes along and it strikes a cord. I have listened to this short three minute video of British Philosopher Allen Watts numerous times today, each time the message becomes richer and more meaningful to me.
I think for me this seems so meaningful as I seemed to find myself coming to this conclusion in the last year. I think what struck a cord most with me if when Mr. Watts talks about if you only follow the money you will find yourself doing something you don’t like or living a life because it was passed down to you. In the last year or so, it seems a lot of people at least around me are stepping off the chosen path for them and onto the road less traveled. Some call it stepping away from life, however and as a good friend put it today during a phone call it’s actually embracing life.
Today’s post isn’t much of a post more a chance to think and a chance for me to share something that hit me very strongly today. Take the time watch the video and really listen carefully, then if you are like me look around and see what you are really doing and what motivates you to do it.
Margaret, what a powerful video. I totally agree with your friend: selecting the road less traveled is, indeed, embracing life. I am fortunate that I earn my paycheck doing something I am passionate about: I teach sixth graders. But this video resonated with me today because I have been thinking about what my middle son will do with his Comparative Religions degree when he graduates in December. (A mother worries.) The video gave me needed peace of mind; my loves what he has been studying, loves reading and writing and pondering the role of religion in various societies. That he has found something he is passionate about is what really matters. More worrisome would be if he nothing sparked his interest, if he were apathetic and uninspired. I will definitely share this with others!
This video is exactly what I needed to hear. I’ve been struggling lately with the decision to leave my good paying job that I like and tolerate because it pays the bills, to pursue and finish my degree in something that I know I will love. End the end the money would be the same with either career. My husband doesn’t understand and thinks I’m crazy for wasting time and money on another degree to not make more money when it’s all said and done. He doesn’t seem to get that it’s not about the money, it’s about being happy and pursuing what you’re passionate about and doing what you love. He will be watching this video later and I will be filing out my application for nursing school.
Good for you for following a dream!