I just read this great article called “Don’t Die With Your Music Still In You”. It’s about really taking stock of what is important and fulfilling in life, and why it is worthwhile to pursue those things.
I’m very careful about what I value. I like to think I have very little desire for money. I barely make enough money to live on, and have realized in the last year that I could be perfectly happy living like this for the rest of my life.
I was reading this article, and the author asked how I would change my life if I knew I was going to die in 18 months. The only significant change I can think of is that I would drop out of school, since I wouldn’t have the opportunity to utilize the degree I’m earning. But since I do not expect to die in 18 months, I do not regret pursuing this degree. This degree is a tool that I will use to allow me to do what I love.
Which, by the way, is not computers. I do not love computers. I do not love computer science, or computer programming, or the internet, or anything like that. Those are all… hobbies that someone might pay me to know about. What I love – and what I intend on pursuing until the day I die – is friendship, and satisfaction, and joy, and peace. Maybe even love. Love would be nice. A degree in Computer Science will let me earn the money I need to satisfy my basic needs and to provide for the people and communities that I love.
I would love to be in a situation where I am making more money than I need, so every month I can set aside all the money I need to pay for my home and my car and food and clothes or whatever, and then send all of the rest of the money to a random friend as a gift. Every month I could send a check to a different person. Or I could just save all the money until I heard of someone that needed help, and then anonymously send them the money they need.
I refuse to be burdened by money. Money CAUSES problems, not solves them.
And in case anyone is bored and feeling existential, I found the above article linked from another article titled, “10 Articles That Changed My Life”. I suggest you read them one at a time, giving yourself plenty of time to think about each one.
Bob, I promise that I will do my best to accept any money that you send me. At first it could be a burden, but I will make do…as best I can.
By: Beans on March 25, 2008
at 11:00 pm
I don’t like computers either. In hindsight, I think I would have had a lot more fun getting a degree in music. Now I have a computer science degree and no desire to work in the computer industry.
Of course, if I read my journal entries from the years when I was earning my computer degree, it’s easy to tell that I loved it! It’s interesting how your interests can change so drastically over time.
By: Shaun on March 26, 2008
at 12:31 am
I think it’s kind of funny how pensive you’ve been the past few weeks. Talking about things with actual substance? I didn’t think college students were allowed to do that.
Things are so wall-to-wall for me, philospohy is just a little beyond where I’m at right now. Just the fact that I’m able to type this means I’m in a lull (ie, I am slightly less screwed than usual).
Here’s a tip: never try to write a term paper. Ever. I mean ever. If someone comes up to you and says “Do this term paper or I’ll kill this puppy” …well actually then you should do the paper, because you shouldn’t let puppies die. BUT otherwise, don’t do it.
It blows.
Meaning the term paper, not the puppy.
Because that would be weird.
By: Beans on March 26, 2008
at 9:35 pm
So I’m processing magazines at work today and I ask about this teen magazine. I’m wondering if we still get it or not. So I show it to this one co-worker who’s really liberal but usually pretty cool and she flips through it and she says “Oh it’s not Christian it’s cool.” She goes on about how it “deals with real issues” and “doesn’t judge people” Naturally I’m a little put off by this so I tell her “You know stereotyping works both ways” and she looks at me like I’m crazy.
And I mean this girl knows full well what I believe and it sort of pisses me off you know?
I dunno, I don’t have enough money for a shrink and I just needed to vent.
TTFN
-Beans
PS When you headed home next time?
By: Beanse on April 1, 2008
at 11:07 pm