money on my mind

It’s weird that’s it been almost three years now, but I remember my college decision process very distinctly. 

It was between UC San Diego (what with their excellent science rep and it being the destination of many of my friends) and USC (which brought a sense of excitement that couldn’t be rivaled.) The latter seemed so new, and fresh. Something so different from what I already knew. 

So I decided to go to SC.

But in my decision-making process, I made a pros and cons list for each school. And I remember one major con for going to SC (and being in LA in general), was that I would become swept up in materialism and wanting success purely for superficial reasons.

And I remember the way I described it to people…

What if all I care about is the latest, most expensive purse? Or clothing item? Or pair of shoes? Or (insert here)?

Basically, would I be concerned with money—having it, making it, spending it?

Now I don’t think my attitudes have changed quite so sharply and superficially, as I had imagined. But there is definitely a subtle change, and one that I am not really proud of.

It’s not like I came from a farm or anything quite so extreme, but Los Angeles—to me—brings out some pretty bad things in people. And I think it’s pretty evident in the younger generations. So many people have such greedy attitudes, and purely money-driven goals for the future.

For instance, I know of a friend who is contemplating between two very different paths. One: going to med school, and becoming a surgeon. Or two: creating a tech business with his friends. In my opinion, he clearly loves technology, inventing, and thinking of new ideas, but he has never let the idea of med school slip away.

But then, when you ask him: then why not be a doctor?!

He says they don’t make enough money. (I’m pretty sure a surgeon makes excess of $400,000……..)

Hearing this made me pretty worried. Because our generation is like this! Yes, we are a generation of do-ers and go-getters, but how much of this is due to reasons of personal advancement? Or to be blunt—for money?

(And you know, I don’t want to be mistaken here. Or judged off the bat. I completely understand the importance of money in our society; it undoubtedly opens the door for many opportunities and in providing for your family. Don’t get me wrong..)

But I think so much of our youth is dedicated to getting ahead, dedicated to being wealthy.

I know for me, I didn’t want to waste any time. I knew I’d be in school for eight years (four for undergrad, and four for medical school.) So I thought: you can’t diddle daddle!

Start now!

But once undergrad is completed, I definitely plan on taking this break. I want to forget about things for a while, and just be.

Is that okay, society?

Take a break for a while, enjoy some time with myself and others, and not correlate the future with money!!