The purpose of working hard in your job and in life is to pass down money to the next generation so that they don’t have to work as hard...? Why work hard for the next generation that is just going to be forced to work just as hard for the same purpose.

Don't get me wrong, I think we must work hard, because working hard leads to achievement, production, progression, success...etc. But it must be something you truly want to work hard at. Because motivation is everything. I believe that there is something to be learned in everything you see around you. The world we live in is so big that no matter how much we know about something (something as simple as a leaf), has endless possibilities of what it could become, and endless amounts of properties we do not have knowledge of. What drives someone to become successful in something so simple that it is not appreciated as a profession in society is motivation. If a person is motivated to do something, then they will become successful in whatever they do. Because motivation means putting a lot of time into something and not realizing the time has gone by. It doesn't feel like a burden.

There seems to be a needed balance for humans though, because I have considered the issue in our society that some jobs naturally get paid more. So the little girl who is passionate about art, may not want to become an artist because it is stereotypically a life of economic stress. And I can admit for myself, that I would not want to become a professional cellist. I have decided that because, although I do love cello, the amount that I enjoy playing is not enough to compensate for feeling economically unstable. In saying this I feel quite hypocritical, because money has become a factor for my decisions. This shows how ingrained the need for money is in our society.

This statement "money can't buy happiness" has stuck with me. Because I do believe that to some extent money can buy happiness. People who live in poverty to the extent at which they cannot buy food and live in a home? That's hard to be happy. And I'm not saying that it's impossible, but it makes it difficult when you are constantly working (or not working) , hungry, sleepless...etc. But at the same time, I believe our society focuses far too much on money in America. Before the 1890s, a time when american consumerism and "conspicuous consumption" started to become a popular culture, people worked because they took pride in their craft. From the 1890s to our current day America, money has become the mode at which to become happy. It became the mode at which to achieve fulfillment through consumption. My question is, why did consumption have to equate with happiness? Money can buy happiness because there is a baseline of food and shelter that is necessary. But when did buying a piece of jewelry or getting nails done become the thing brings joy? I admit I get my nails done and I love shopping and wearing jewelry, but it's because I'm caught in a society that values that.

So I conclude this by reminding myself to choose to do things I enjoy, because those are the things I am going to be successful at. Don't work hard at something miserable with the motivation coming from wanting to do good for the next generation. Work hard to do well and feel fulfilled in the work and the product of the work, not the money that comes out of the work that will buy material objects. Then if the work is enjoyed, the product will be good, and you can feel good about the money you make.