Why is it that in our culture we gauge success based on how well one is doing financially? Of course if that’s what success is then, ya know, it’s all good but, here’s the problem that's not success.

I understood a rambling Blogger!

So, if you didn’t know, I use to debate in High-school and before we could debate or even discuss the topic we needed to define our terms or, in this case our words so, lets define success. Here’s the common man definition or, what people think it means: “The fact of getting or achieving wealth, respect, or fame”. Here’s the actual definition: “The accomplishment of an aim or purpose.” Aim can be operationally defined as goal. So essentially success is fulfilling a goal which in theory is awesome. The problem begins when our goal is to make money.

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Whether you realize it or not what you believe to be your goal dictates your actions. For instance if you believe your goal is to “Make money” well then you will do whatever it takes to fulfill said goal. And when you think about it that’s actually kinda scary we currently live in a world where everyone thinks your goal should be financial success and that’s one of the many issues with the status quo. Money has caused the destruction of friendships, families, and people’s entire lives. It has led to murder and even suicide in fact 89 people will take their life tomorrow and debt/money is a leading cause in that decision. We clearly see that money destroys us when we make it our goal.

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So what should our goal be? Ah, that question has plagued me for years especially in High-School. At the risk of sounding prideful, I think I figured out what our goal should be. Spoiler alert — Sesame Street was right all along. Your goal should be to follow your passion. My father use to race Sled Dogs and I am gonna be honest he didn’t make a lot of money, actually he barely made any at all. But that didn’t matter he was following his passion. Sure, he could have gotten a white collar job and made a lot of money but that wasn’t his goal; his goal was to do what he loved. Now, doing what you love isn’t easy but, if it is truly your passion that shouldn’t matter. Money shouldn’t be your goal cause, lets be honest if you lose everything you are left with nothing to stand on. Money is spent easier then its earned but, if your goal is your passion that can never be taken away from you.

And you thought I was lying

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The current situation requires action so, I have to ask one more question. What are you gonna do? Sure its easy to hash-tag and, write about problems but, our situation demands action. So I gotta ask what’s your goal?

IDK I just uhhhh what ummm say who???

In a culture where the only version of success is financial, that daring question all Moms and Grandmas and friends of Moms ask is “What are you gonna be when you grow up?” You stammer, you look at the ground, you take a deep breath and say “Well I’m taking some classes on nursing and have been thinking about Med school so, I’m leaning towards being a doctor, I guess.” Of course you’re lying; what you really wanna say, nay, shout to the world is IDK!!!!!!!!!! But our society deems that answer irresponsible, they say you’re lazy or you are what’s wrong with society. How dare you not know the answer to the question that will be what you do for the rest of your life!!!

 Don't Fix What Ain't Broken

 In a culture where as soon as you get out of high-school you must, without exception, go to College to get that gosh darn job. But, hey if the system isn’t broke why fix it right? Well, lets do some research; according to the College Board, bachelor’s degree tuition per year at private universities averaged $26,273 in 2009-2010; public university tuition was about $7,020. Multiply that out and you get $105,092 in total bachelor’s degree tuition at private school and $28,080 at public school. (College Surfing ) Needless to say that’s a lot of money. But, hey, its all good, just pick a job and you should be fine it’s not like you will change your mind, riiiight? Well according to NBC News 50 percent of College freshmen change majors twice during the College year. So yea maybe we do have a broken system, but how do we fix it?

Seriously half of you switch degrees TWICE!!!!

 Ohkay So What Now!?

 Well as someone who has no idea what I want to do I know one thing. Jumping into it with “a head first, no thinking, ask questions later” mentality would just make it worse. However I didn’t want to upset anyone I didn’t want to be that one kid moms whisper about and warn other moms to be careful or they’re kids will end up like so and so. But I did some research and found out, spoiler alert, I wasn’t the only one. In fact prestigious colleges are currently suggesting that kids take what is called a Gap Year. (For more info check out Fox News.)

 I think its about time we start asking why our nation is such a failure. The answer may be difficult or maybe it’s simple, I don’t know but, what I do know is that doing the same thing over and over again is defiantly not the answer. As the saying goes “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results” or if you don’t agree with that one there’s always “Those who fail to learn the lessons of history are doomed to repeat them.” Needless to say the current system is broken and something has to change.