Follow your bliss when choosing a career
Re: “Labour pains,” Editorial, Dec. 6.
If editors can write the above editorial, they are beyond understanding the value of non-commercial education, and so I direct this to all young people who must make a decision about their path for higher education.
I have taught thousands of young people and I have always used the words of the late mythologist and philosopher, Joseph Campbell, as my guide when these students have asked me for advice in deciding a course for their lives: “Follow your bliss.”
Now, more than ever, we need people who can think critically, rebel boldly, and enjoy the simple things deeply. We need people who can look at much of what happens around them and say, “This is bull.” Critical thinking is the essence of a democracy.
Don’t be deterred. If you want to study drama, history, philosophy or English literature — do it. You may not get the big house or the big car, but you may be able to get more out of a book, a play, a film or a conversation than someone else gets out of a Club Med trip to Hawaii.
When you have your own children, they will see and appreciate your contentment and perhaps be enlightened by this more inspired path to happiness — and happiness is what it’s all about anyway.
Don’t confuse making a living with making a life.