Don't Quit Your Day Job?

On Monday, March 30, 2009 my friend

Axis (Kyle) wrote on his MySpace Blog:

http://www.myspace.com/dantes_double

I have been looking, at least subconsciously, probably for years for someone who would tell me to just quit my job, stop doing meaningless work, and start doing what matters to me. I don't know why, but I really need the encouragement from an authority figure. It's not that I can't make my own decisions. It's simply that I've been bombarded with advice from the opposite end of the spectrum. "Play it safe," they say. "Don't quit your day job." "Just do what you want on the side until it's safe."

Here's the thing...If I had been allowed to simply follow my own impulses and interests to this point, I believe I would be far more successful and happy in having what I want than I am now. I'm 21 now, I can't act like a teenager. I can't act like I don't have responsibilities, and that's not the kind of advice I'm summoning. But there are things I want to do, and I know exactly what they are. Things that take time. Time that is being taken from me by things I would rather not do. If the only advice I ever received was not based in fear and security but rather in love and confidence, then I would not be here right now. If instead of being told to play it safe all the time, I was being told to stop doing meaningless bullshit (why am I doing it in the first place?) and to pursue exclusively that which makes me happy and whole (doesn't that make sense anyway?), I would feel confident in what most would call "insecurity".

I don't know what to do...I don't want to bitch all the time and focus on what makes me unhappy. But I am very conflicted and very frustrated. I need at least to perceive that pursuing what I want while dismissing what I don't makes more sense (because I know it does), and that it's better and safer in the long run. So...will anyone tell me what I want to hear?

Love

and

Peace

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I wrote in response:"

Dood! OK...so I was young once...and now I'm old. : ) But I truly wish that someone had said the things you want to hear when I was young too.

But I got the same messages about playing it safe etc. I do think those things are said because people care for us...they want the best for us...but sometimes it also comes from fears for us. Fear that the world is a "tough place". Fear that we will need to have a "good" job to support ourselves, and perhaps a wife or family etc etc etc.

But in my life, in spite of my best efforts to PLEASE EVERYONE ELSE!! I wound up chasing my dreams. I didn't get much support...and no one was there to advise me...so it was slow going...but now I feel like I KNOW the way!!! Never-​the-​less,​ it hasn't been easy. But NOTHING is.

So my advice: FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS!!!! As long as you work hard at them!! Because often creative people, who have dreams...spend all their time in that dream world. So if you want to be an artist. Be one...and fill up sketchbooks and portfolios and websites with your work. If you want to write. Write then...and fill up journals, hard-drives, and blogs with your writing. Whatever it is...always give it your best effort. Sure...allow yourself to have days...when you feel less inspired.​.​.​feel less like creating.​.​.​working.​.​.​but not too many.

As you work at your dreams...you WILL gain confidence in your own ability to guide yourself...and you'll calm the fears of anxious friends and family...if you show yourself and them that you are serious about working at your dream...and not just dreaming about it.

A word about being an American youth: I was one once too. We grow up in a land of prosperity.​.​.​and many of us begin to think we're entitled to success and happiness. We aren't. It's no secret that often immigrants who come to this country from places of high work ethics...or a sense of self determination.​.​.​find HUGE success. And while success often means making lots of money...I mean it more in the sense of accomplishment.​.​.​perhaps less money.​.​.​perhaps more...but the ability to choose what you want out of life...and then pursue it!!!

The book (Talent is Overrated by Geoff Colvin) I ordered for you came on Monday...I'll bring it next week. I hope it will inspire you to chase your dreams with all your might."

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Thanks to Kyle for allowing me to publish this exchange on my blog.

See samples of Kyle's art: http://www.spinmeromantic.deviantart.com/

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