A Career Passion

How far is this statement true?

A short video I found rather interesting.

http://www.ted.com/talks/larry_smith_why_you_will_fail_to_have_a_great_career.html?source=facebook#.T119XsbCUzc.facebook

Sorry for the link, can’t seem to post the video on blogspot directly

Anyway, of what he said I would agree on many of its point and disagree on a few. It is true that “interest” is not anywhere nearly comparable to “passion But can one not have more than a single passion? 

But I can’t agree more that the era of “good careers” are over. You are either an underpaid slave or you are in a great career. Though, I would wager much that the majority of the society is stuck in the former. With many personal experiences lately, being highly competent is really an insult to yourself nowadays. Being competent only (which I guess I am) do not even entitle you a chance to be the slave of free market. You have to be willing to work hard and harder for it, and you will be given that much – work that is. 

Being someone who also desires greatly to pursue one’s passion, I fully understand what Larry meant when the majority who does dare to take action are merely hiding behind their limitless excuses. However, in today’s cruel and realistic world, I would say that it is a luxury to have the opportunity to pursue one’s passion. First, not all passion is one that earns you living in this world. You have a passion in art, a talent for it but not the appreciation from the society, can you really survive in this world by that itself? What if you passion is into physics just as Larry mentioned, a material for a noble laureate, but then you family do not have the resources to send you to the right courses or you do not get funding to do the research you are passionate about? Don't get me wrong, I am not trying to bring the issue to its extreme but the fact is that we live in a society that does not treasure this passion.  

Why you may ask? The answer is simple. The society is made up of individuals, those that are stuck in their rut of not able to pursue their passion because of petty reasons and excuses. Therefore, it is logical for them to not appreciate or even look down upon those who come and pursue their true passion. This is the society we live in. Ignore then? If you have the wealth and freedom to ignore the world and pursue what you truly want, that is a luxury. Many of us do not have that luxury.

So if you do, shame on you for not pursuing you passion!