Thursday, May 8, 2008
whats the point
i've been doing serious thinking all day about life and why humans do what they do and i have some serious questions and am feelin pretty pessimistic about life. As most would agree, good education is the basis of making an easy living. this goes all the way back to preschool. society puts us into place at that young. it amazes me. and then we work and work and work and for what?? so i can drive a car? where am i going to drive it? TO WORK. so i can buy a home? so i can bring my kids into the same vicious circle?? i really just dont see the point. what is there REALLY to strive for in life? here i am, busting my ass at stevenson so i can get into college and eventually get a good job and have kids grow old and then what... die? there are some people who work until they are well into their 70s. i dont see the fulfillment in that at all. i guess i've just really began to feel like theres no point to living? im not saying that on a suicidal note, just on a sociological one i suppose
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2 comments:
haha.Yea i think i kinda went through the same thing, but I think we only have this "circle" plan because so many people around us do that and in america is the "ideal" life. But as i got to know more people outside of this area there are alteratives and not everything is this vicious cycle.
Aubrie, What an insightful blog!
You are starting to process al of the stuff I have been teaching. But you are seeing the big picture. I think that is what you are realizing in your blog. All of those things you mention are part of American culture and especially part of our culture in the northern upper-middle class suburbs. Now the part you may not realize yet; you have realized this at such a young age that you can control your life. I was just at a retirement party for someone who worked hard for 35 years. He was very successful and all that, but he said there were so many things he missed - especially the people in his life. He missed out on times with his wife his kid and times with other family. He can't have that back. You can still choose these things as a priority in your life.
Also may I suggest happiness as a core value in your life. What makes you happy? Where do you find yourself being content with life and at peace. Sociological studies show that happy people are 1)spiritual or involved in religion, 2)give back to people in volunteering and/or charity 3)married and committed to a spouse. So those are some things to consider, but you can find it for yourself.
You'll probably drive a car, and you have to live somewhere, but these things have tremendous variation. There are really good cars for less than $20K, and big expensive house don't = happiness. Your education will give you opportunity, but if you use that opportunity to only pursue a job for the money as opposed a job you find meaningful, one that has a quality of life that you seek, one that is convenient for where you want to live, hours you want to work, etc...
I think becca is on to something too. This area and our school is filled with that pressure, but don't assume that is the only way. You can find people all over who are choosing alternative lifestyles because there is more meaning to them and they are happier and more satisfied with life.
Personally in my life, I chose to go part time. I am giving up a great deal with teaching, inc the paycheck, but I am convinced that I would not be as happy. Also, we chose to live in Arlington Heights because of the location. The house we can afford there is smaller and older, but it is close to our works, it is walking distance to town, there are many parks, and good schools. That makes me more happy than enormous house with granite everything, etc...
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