Are you happy with your career ?

[m19834]

There may have been a point, years ago, where I asked a similar question as M..  However, I have had some interesting opportunities lately to be freshly reminded that there are people whom are not happy, it seems, with how their careers have gone or turned out, and it becomes very evident in how they interact with others in particular situations. 

That got me thinking ... is the world actually just FULL of people whom are unhappy with their careers ?  Whom feel under-appreciated, under-recognized, improperly employed ? 

I spend so much time practicing and being alone and seeing almost only my private students that I just wonder how much I am missing "out there," and what I should expect once/if I really decide to start auditioning for things, and start actually developing a performing career. 

Your answer doesn't need to be strictly music related, of course, which is why I am putting it here in this section.  But, if it is music related, that's great, too !!

Thanks !

[thracozaag]

“A most important thing in art is sincerity. I am completely open about my thoughts; I loathe posing. I have made my career with a minimum of publicity, and I don’t regret it. I did it for music’s sake, and it gives me pleasure. Over the years we come to understand the cheapness and non-viability of anything that is not genuine and true. The thought of one’s own death creates a feeling of urgency toward the essentials in life and art."--Gerard Souzay

[m19834]

“A most important thing in art is sincerity. I am completely open about my thoughts; I loathe posing. I have made my career with a minimum of publicity, and I don’t regret it. I did it for music’s sake, and it gives me pleasure. Over the years we come to understand the cheapness and non-viability of anything that is not genuine and true. The thought of one’s own death creates a feeling of urgency toward the essentials in life and art."--Gerard Souzay

Thank you very much, Koji .

[m19834]

I guess part of what I mean by thinking about what to expect should I be making a performing career, is that on audition and competition pannels, directors, conductors, colleagues ... critics, coaches, teachers .... audience members ... there is a chance that all of these particular facets of my own path (or AN individual's path) may have an individual who is bitter about their own life and career ... or always watching their back, so to speak.  They judge from those eyes and ears, and maybe even "train" others from that perspective.  There are individuals whom are so upset about their own life, that perhaps they even want others to fail, and actually do things to undercut the individual, sometimes even their own student, because it somehow makes them feel better (or so they think). 

I know that not everybody is like that.  But, I guess it's interesting to be reminded that there seem to be people who are like that, and there's a very good chance I will just run into more and more of them (or become one ?  or continue being one ?), the more I sink into this field.  It's almost like there is this kind of division between the types of people; they are either for a person or against a person.  However, even after just writing that and considering the quote you posted, I see that perhaps there is another type of person.  Those whom are sincere and who are doing it truly for the music.  They are perhaps not necessarily for the person or against the person, but rather focused on the music and the art.  I wonder how rare that is ?

I suppose that is where it's good to be reminded of why I am doing this, and that quote is helpful in that regard, Koji.  I think it's a particularly insightful and interesting (and quick !) response to my question.

[ted]

You have my admiration at being able to combine earning a living and your deepest creative drives at all. I could certainly never do it. People who can achieve this compatibility, remain true to themselves and keep their peace of mind seem depressingly rare. Whether this is due to flaws in the way our society is organised, or simply because of fundamental properties of art and human nature I have long since ceased puzzling myself over.

I have never had, indeed never desired a "career" in anything, so I can scarcely answer your original question. However, if you can successfully develop a musical career and retain what is flippantly called your "soul", meaning the deepest properties of your mature individuation, then that would be without question a wonderful endeavour. From what I know of you I would guess you have as good a chance as any musician of doing that.

[Petter]

I do not wish to have a career. I wish I was better sexx0ring musicians to have someone to play with. Most are just as insecure as myself about their abilities and disorganized about their though...
 When I was a teen music used to be something FUN that I did with friends without any prestige involved. That´s something I really miss. I don´t even know if it´s possible to get back to that state. 

[m19834]

You have my admiration at being able to combine earning a living and your deepest creative drives at all. I could certainly never do it. People who can achieve this compatibility, remain true to themselves and keep their peace of mind seem depressingly rare.

Well, thank you Ted, that is nice.  I will say though that the main reason I decided to (try to) make music an actual career is because I weighed out my options over the years.  I observed that for most people, their career actually occupies the bulk of their waking life, and besides that, many people have careers that they don't feel happy with.  I am not claiming that I wake up EVERY single day jumping out of bed (especially not now since we got our flannel sheets and it's the most cozy thing that ever existed !!) feeling nothing but glee about my day ahead of me ... okay, for the last few months I have felt something very close to that anyway  ... but, I did just figure that since I would be doing something THAT much, I would like to have it be something that I really believe in.  The bottom line is that it's the only way I could figure spending the entire day immersed in music yet still earn a living. 

ANYWAY, I am curious what you mean by "peace of mind" in the context you used it ?  Of course I understand the term ... but, if a person does remain true to themselves, why would they NOT have peace of mind ?  Do you mean making the decision to remain true to onself, yet that causing a deviation between them and society, therefore possibly causing bitterness ?  I am just interested in your thoughts. 

[m19834]

Okay, now I am more or less just talking to myself  ... but I was thinking about it a little more.  I know that it's very easy to get bitter, especially with something like art -- and especially with the level of committment it takes to become truly great at what you do.  I see that the presence of cynicism and bitterness is not necessarily something automatically harmful to others.  However, I think for some people it does become a form of poison, and I guess that's unfortunate for them, and something for others to be at least aware of.   

In any event, I guess I just realized I don't wish to be judgemental of those who are bitter or sad ... there are probably good reasons.  Not that it means they are doomed to that for the rest of their lives.

I think that we all boil down to being just a bunch of softies ... hee hee

[ted]

In your case I wouldn't worry, Karli. I know few people less likely to become bitter or cynical in their music; it just isn't going to happen to you.

You have made your decision on objective reasoning and facts - that it is better to earn a living doing something you enjoy, even partially, than spend countless waking hours grinding away at a completely unappealing task. I cannot imagine anybody not agreeing with that. It is just a question of how far we can put it into practice.

Peace of mind ? No, I meant it the other way around to your inference. I have often met with an apparent joylessness in dedicated musicians (sadly not just in professionals either) - a frustration and incapacity to enjoy the simple purity of their sounds any longer. They probably did once, perhaps in their youth, but have become so inured to the social, academic and economic mechanisms over the years that the original ends have been submerged in the details of the process, as it were.

As I say, I cannot see you ever reaching such a state, so just follow your decision through, look any negativity boldly in the face and pass on. Go for it !

[pianowolfi]

I got more happy with it over the years. When I started professional studies I felt so small and all the others were better than me (at least I thought so) Somehow I got easily discouraged and it would be up to further investigation if it was only my problem or also the problem of a very established but completely inflexible system of music education, in which there are spoken or unspoken rules on how to play every piece, how to behave in the "established" musician society etc. In some way my path led me around this and back then I was very unhappy about it. I wanted to be in a "normal" career like all the other musicians in my area (which is a stronghold of music). But there was just not place for everybody. For years I was frustrated not to be a part of this "establishment" But now, low and behold, since a few years, since I decided to live mainly from private teaching, I feel like I am successively approaching to this "normal" career from a different side. I still feel as an outsider in many respects and I guess this is not even a bad thing, considering my objectives.

And I have been watching many people giving up on their musician careers and resignate, even people whom I had considered to be so much better than me back then...

Now I think I know very clearly where to go and what to do and my only wish is to pursue.

[m19834]

hmmm ... thank you for your posts, Ted and Wolfi.  I have this big idea brewing right now that I am not sure I can communicate, but I have to try ... hee hee.

There is a lot to all of this, I mean, what I am trying to say comes from years of observation of other individuals in various settings, but I want to try to condense my thoughts to the "results" of those observations, rather than getting caught up in specific points within them. 

It seems to me that most people who become a kind of bitter in their life are so because they feel that somehow they are missing something in their lives that they are actually entitled to.  Whether it be opportunities at various points or perhaps the right kind of recognition for what they are currently doing.  There are many details involved in that of course, but perhaps it's those overriding characteristics of a path that make a person become angry or empty regarding their life's occupation (and, I mean 'occupation' in various ways).

I think that ultimately, people are seeking some kind of seemingly elusive fulfillment that somehow appears to exist in various places, but once the individual arrives there, they discover it's not actually there, or they feel they never arrive there and are therefore robbed of that fulfillment.

Is there truly any kind of direct path to that kind of fulfillment ?  Even if a person outwardly reaches what seem to be the upper echelons of success in terms of art or anything that we percieve as humans, or if their life's path went exactly the way that perhaps others may sometimes envy, have they somehow had an easier personal path in discovering a sense of deep fulfillment in life ?

If, for example, I had been some kind of recognized child prodigy when I were growing up, and had studied at the best schools with the best teachers throughout my life, and that led to a revered career that at this point in my life were already well underway, would I have asked any fewer questions on this forum or to myself ?  Would I have more answers in terms of my purpose and a sense of fulfillment about living ?  To me, that is what matters more than anything ; who I am each morning, each moment, each day.  What kind of quality my individuality is, in the deepest parts of my soul (AND whether or not I can even feel my soul !!).

Part of me feels a little leery of what seem to be dinstinguished careers actually, because I don't want to forget who I am within all of that.  But, I realize that I can't assume either way, and that an individual has to keep following some crazy path that is revealed just little by little perhaps, day by day, moment by moment. hee hee ... I guess I have been thinking a bit  .

Right now, this moment, I think my path is revealing to me steps back to the piano to play some wonderful music .

[morningstar]

I don't have a career, am still trying to decide on one. I consider myself a bit of a nomad or drifter, sort of moving from one thing to the next all the time. Will probably have to decide on something eventually though.

[mrba1979]

hmmm ... thank you for your posts, Ted and Wolfi.  I have this big idea brewing right now that I am not sure I can communicate, but I have to try ... hee hee.

There is a lot to all of this, I mean, what I am trying to say comes from years of observation of other individuals in various settings, but I want to try to condense my thoughts to the "results" of those observations, rather than getting caught up in specific points within them. 

It seems to me that most people who become a kind of bitter in their life are so because they feel that somehow they are missing something in their lives that they are actually entitled to.  Whether it be opportunities at various points or perhaps the right kind of recognition for what they are currently doing.  There are many details involved in that of course, but perhaps it's those overriding characteristics of a path that make a person become angry or empty regarding their life's occupation (and, I mean 'occupation' in various ways).

I think that ultimately, people are seeking some kind of seemingly elusive fulfillment that somehow appears to exist in various places, but once the individual arrives there, they discover it's not actually there, or they feel they never arrive there and are therefore robbed of that fulfillment.

Is there truly any kind of direct path to that kind of fulfillment ?  Even if a person outwardly reaches what seem to be the upper echelons of success in terms of art or anything that we percieve as humans, or if their life's path went exactly the way that perhaps others may sometimes envy, have they somehow had an easier personal path in discovering a sense of deep fulfillment in life ?

If, for example, I had been some kind of recognized child prodigy when I were growing up, and had studied at the best schools with the best teachers throughout my life, and that led to a revered career that at this point in my life were already well underway, would I have asked any fewer questions on this forum or to myself ?  Would I have more answers in terms of my purpose and a sense of fulfillment about living ?  To me, that is what matters more than anything ; who I am each morning, each moment, each day.  What kind of quality my individuality is, in the deepest parts of my soul (AND whether or not I can even feel my soul !!).

Part of me feels a little leery of what seem to be dinstinguished careers actually, because I don't want to forget who I am within all of that.  But, I realize that I can't assume either way, and that an individual has to keep following some crazy path that is revealed just little by little perhaps, day by day, moment by moment. hee hee ... I guess I have been thinking a bit  .

Right now, this moment, I think my path is revealing to me steps back to the piano to play some wonderful music .

You are not alone with these thoughts.  I have not only observed but experienced.  I at one time worked in a job were every morning when I walked in and smelled the plastic stench of the fake flowers in the lobby it nauseated me to think I had to spend another day in that hell hole.  I was not only bitter with my job, but with life in general.  Today words of gratitude can not befit how blessed I was to have that job, how foolish I was, and how ungrateful I was.  What I have learned is though we do and will spend most of our waking lives in a career it really is not who we are.  A job is undoubtedly a part of our lives, but you K will still be you asking and wondering about life's most profound questions on this forum, whether you remain a teacher or pursuing your big idea.

I do have a career I love, and to say the least passionate over,  but interestingly I did not find fulfillment with the job.  Work in the end is exactly that work.  It is a routine.  I still wake up early and think my god I need another hour of sleep.  Most days I still feel like getting to my first cup of coffee is the real challenge, and I do think occasional wouldn't it be nice if I could just take the day off of work.  I have learned living in the moment is simply just living and enjoying in the moments we are given to enjoy, mourn in the moments we are given to mourn,  give expression to the moments requiring expression, and passively live life in the moments which are passive.  The days are only bestowed upon us one at a time.  It may seem nonchalant to say this, but tomorrow is not given to us.  I also think as we age this become more of a realization.  When I lay down at night my question is not what have I accomplished, but have my actions and thoughts through out the day truly shown my thankfulness for having lived another day.  My hope is if I ever find myself again in a job I hate, in a state of suffering, in any circumstance which is overly unbearable that I can still lay down at night and be thankful for another day.  I know now that if I can not that is when and how embitterment will over take me should I wake the next morning.

 

[richard black]

My career? I don't think I've ever had one (I'm 44). But I seem to keep the wolf from the door somehow.

[imbetter]

im barely into high school and im worrying all the time that my career is going to turn into a gigantic failure

[m19834]

I was not only bitter with my job, but with life in general.  Today words of gratitude can not befit how blessed I was to have that job, how foolish I was, and how ungrateful I was. 

Hi mrba, Thanks for your post and I have been actually thinking a bit about it for a time now.  I do have one question for you, if you don't mind.  What is it that changed your perspective on your job and life, to make you feel that you had been ungrateful before ?  You don't have to tell details, I am just interested in what might give somebody that kind of change in perspective.

My career? I don't think I've ever had one (I'm 44).

I also have a question for you, Richard.  What do you mean that you don't have a career ?  I assume you make some kind of income somehow, so, you saying that you don't have a career means something less literal, perhaps (?).  A few people have answered similarly, and I am just curious what people might mean by this ?

[mrba1979]

What is it that changed your perspective on your job and life, to make you feel that you had been ungrateful before ? 

That is a complicated question because there is not a defining moment in which I can answer.  It was more a change in perspective over time.  I suppose the best place to start would be when I decided to go back to school.  At the time working at above mentioned job I was supporting both my wife and two children while living in a mobile home after suffering two lay offs with in three years.  My then current job offered me a promotion I had been working for, and it was double what I was initially making.  On my way home to tell my wife I realized what should have been a moment of great joy I felt nothing but dread for my new position even with the idea of more money.  It was at this point I knew I had a decision to make.  I knew with clarity(like none I have ever experinced before) that this was a key point in my life.  The day before I could not have even fathomed they idea of returning to school, but this day I knew I had to make the choice.  So I went home told my wife I wan not taking the promotion and that I was going back to school.  In fact I thought this was going to be the harder part of the day, but she to my surprise was unflinchingly supportive.  This was the start.

I know this does not completely answer your question but I have run out of time for the moment. 

[m19834]

That is a complicated question because there is not a defining moment in which I can answer.  It was more a change in perspective over time.  I suppose the best place to start would be when I decided to go back to school.  At the time working at above mentioned job I was supporting both my wife and two children while living in a mobile home after suffering two lay offs with in three years.  My then current job offered me a promotion I had been working for, and it was double what I was initially making.  On my way home to tell my wife I realized what should have been a moment of great joy I felt nothing but dread for my new position even with the idea of more money.  It was at this point I knew I had a decision to make.  I knew with clarity(like none I have ever experinced before) that this was a key point in my life.  The day before I could not have even fathomed they idea of returning to school, but this day I knew I had to make the choice.  So I went home told my wife I wan not taking the promotion and that I was going back to school.  In fact I thought this was going to be the harder part of the day, but she to my surprise was unflinchingly supportive.  This was the start.

I know this does not completely answer your question but I have run out of time for the moment. 

Yes, thank you for this.  I guess part of what I am wondering, and meant to ask but for some reason didn't, is what, exactly, do you feel you could have been more grateful for at the time you had your job, but weren't ?  You didn't know what you had before, but then you did later after you didn't have it anymore ?  But, what was "it," just the fact that you had a job at all ?  Anyway, I will look forward to your further response(s) .

[general disarray]

Yes, thank you for this.  I guess part of what I am wondering, and meant to ask but for some reason didn't, is what, exactly, do you feel you could have been more grateful for at the time you had your job, but weren't ?  You didn't know what you had before, but then you did later after you didn't have it anymore ?  But, what was "it," just the fact that you had a job at all ?  Anyway, I will look forward to your further response(s) .

Your response is nearly incomprehensible. 

May I try to clarify this "career thread" problem?

A life is only worthy if it is of service to others.  Yes? 

In fact, that is the classical definition of the word "profession," grossly misunderstood and incorrectly applied in these degraded and morally decrepit days.  Today, Law, for example, is still defined as a "profession," but it is anything but that.

A moral and ethical career is chosen not for its financial gain, but for its service to others.  Sounds old-fashioned, doesn't it?  Well, that's how far we have strayed from ethical behavior.  That is why, globally, we are facing a second major economic depression. 

If we all chose careers based on their social utility, we would discover a smoothly functioning, humane society. 

But we don't.  We choose on the basis of ego-gratification and financial gain.  That's the world we have.  That's the world our self-interest has created.

Are you happy with your career? 

Think again. 
   

[go12_3]

That's a simple question to answer:   

I LOVE my career as a piano teacher!!!  And I am HAPPY with my career.  Joyful, blissful, wonderful, fantastic, non-boring, ever-changing, going onward, challenging, divine, rewarding, satisfaction, interesting, questioning, yes, yes, yes!  I love it , I love it , I love it!     

[mrba1979]

Your response is nearly incomprehensible. 

May I try to clarify this "career thread" problem?

A life is only worthy if it is of service to others.  Yes? 

In fact, that is the classical definition of the word "profession," grossly misunderstood and incorrectly applied in these degraded and morally decrepit days.  Today, Law, for example, is still defined as a "profession," but it is anything but that.

A moral and ethical career is chosen not for its financial gain, but for its service to others.  Sounds old-fashioned, doesn't it?  Well, that's how far we have strayed from ethical behavior.  That is why, globally, we are facing a second major economic depression. 

If we all chose careers based on their social utility, we would discover a smoothly functioning, humane society. 

But we don't.  We choose on the basis of ego-gratification and financial gain.  That's the world we have.  That's the world our self-interest has created.

Are you happy with your career? 

Think again. 
   

I am making the assumption your reply was directed to me.  I will again answer the question. Yes, I am happy with my career.  My original point to K was I have been on both sides of hating what I do and enjoying what I do, but it did not change who I was.  What I realized against what I originally believed is that my career does not define who I am.  This was in regards to her wondering if changing her career will change who she is.

I will also let you judge.  The job I hated was working for a wholesale floral company.  The job I now enjoy is an ultrasound tech.  Was it self serving of me to leave the one I hated?

Yes, thank you for this.  I guess part of what I am wondering, and meant to ask but for some reason didn't, is what, exactly, do you feel you could have been more grateful for at the time you had your job, but weren't ?  You didn't know what you had before, but then you did later after you didn't have it anymore ?  But, what was "it," just the fact that you had a job at all ?  Anyway, I will look forward to your further response(s) .

You did ask and I am sorry but I had run out of time.  I am thankful I had a job I hated because it pushed me into college. On the toughest days of school I remembered the smell of the plastic flowers. I remembered that I can handle tough days, long hours, little sleep, and a thin budget.  Looking back after graduation however I am also grateful for that job because it did provide for my family.  Where I was selfish and wrong was not hating where I worked, that I could not help, but being blind to the fact that it did provide to me and my families basic needs.  After roughly five years of school with full time work I learned very quickly what was most important and it was not the things I thought I would buy after graduation.  It was the things I already had: a supportive and loving wife, children who look up to me, a bed to sleep in, food, shelter, coffee in the morning with cream, and of course my piano.     

[goldentone]

I am making the assumption your reply was directed to me. 

No, I believe it was directed to Karli.  General made a similar comment to K in another thread.  Her response made sense to me, far from "nearly incomprehensible."

Mrba, I have really enjoyed your sharing some of your life with us.  That was quite a decision you made to forego the promotion and instead go to college.  This is the stuff of maturing and becoming real adults.

[mrba1979]

No, I believe it was directed to Karli.  General made a similar comment to K in another thread.  Her response made sense to me, far from "nearly incomprehensible."

Thank you for clarifying, and thank you for the kind comments.

[m19834]

No, I believe it was directed to Karli.  General made a similar comment to K in another thread. 

Yeah, I wasn't sure at first, either.  I took one look at it and my brain went "does not compute" in a very computer-like tone of voice.  Then, my brain tried to reason it all out :

Let's see, a very insightful, helpful, sensitive post from general dissaray.  No way could that be directed toward lil' ol' me, s/he must just have some kind of wild hair up his you know what, me thinks to myself.

Then, another thought passed my mind ... maybe, just MAYBE gd is just acting like that to try to live up to his name.  hmmmm ... it's quite a thing to ponder.  But then, another brain, the third one, came into my second brain and said, let's weigh out the options.  Respond to this post of gd's and invest energy into it, or do one of the million things requiring of my time, energy and attention around here ?  hmmmm... considering it was such a helpful post from him, I felt very badly not responding immediately and, instead, choosing other things that were pressing, but alas, such is life I guess.  Que lastima.

In any event, thanks for your response mrba, and thanks Goldentone for clarifying.  Perhaps I will be back in a couple of days.

[general disarray]

Let's see, a very insightful, helpful, sensitive post from general dissaray.  No way could that be directed toward lil' ol' me, s/he must just have some kind of wild hair up his you know what, me thinks to myself.

Thank you for your sarcasm.  It's interesting that in being sarcastic, you suddenly find less convoluted syntax to express yourself!  That's progress.

I'm sorry you're offended by my comments regarding your posts.  I would think you'd be complimented by anyone taking the time and effort to read and understand you when you willfully choose to over-write your comments.  Or, as you often say, when you are   "thinking aloud."  That's fine for you, Karli, but it's not very thoughtful of those who wade through your lenghty posts searching for their point.  I've said before that I find your ideas first-class and intriguing, but often written in such oblique and convoluted prose that the meaning is obscure.

Out of consideration for their readers, most writers edit themselves.  Those who wish to be understood, that is.

[m19834]

My goodness, unfortunately, as I more or less stated before, I was in awe of you and your post to me.  As I directly said, "insightful, helpful" and so on.  Would you like me to go on ?  I just don't understand how that could be taken as anything but utter sincerity  .  Do you mean to suggest -- and this is nearly beyond my imagination -- that you were not actually meaning to be insightful and helpful and such ?  Wow.  That blows my mind, all of them, completely.  Should I take back the good karma points I had given you as a result of my misguided perception of your supreme helpfulness ?  Consider it done !  Anything to please you, my lord.

I wish you could only but hear my voice, so as to better comprehend my message of thanks to you, General General Dissaray.  I have approximately 20 minutes until a tidal wave completely engulfs me.  Ciao.

[general disarray]

My goodness, unfortunately, as I more or less stated before, I was in awe of you and your post to me.  As I directly said, "insightful, helpful" and so on.  Would you like me to go on ?  I just don't understand how that could be taken as anything but utter sincerity  .  Do you mean to suggest -- and this is nearly beyond my imagination -- that you were not actually meaning to be insightful and helpful and such ?  Wow.  That blows my mind, all of them, completely.  Should I take back the good karma points I had given you as a result of my misguided perception of your supreme helpfulness ?  Consider it done !  Anything to please you, my lord.

I wish you could only but hear my voice, so as to better comprehend my message of thanks to you, General General Dissaray.  I have approximately 20 minutes until a tidal wave completely engulfs me.  Ciao.

  (hit a nerve, did I?) 

[m19834]

  (hit a nerve, did I?) 

That depeds on whether or not that is what you would like 

[general disarray]

That depeds on whether or not that is what you would like 

It is akin to Nirvana just being in your cyber-presence . . . all likes, all wants, all desires evaporate.

[m19834]

And your cyber-presence is akin to strong drink, which I pretty much stay away from these days  :- .

[Petter]

I think you´re both O.K 

[general disarray]

And your cyber-presence is akin to strong drink, which I pretty much stay away from these days  .

I am, indeed, often hard to take.  I don't pretend to be easy. (Hence, my name!)  I am an acquired taste.  In fact, the shark in my bay has avoided me.   

I admit my deficiency, but you do evidence a particularly American tendency towards Puritanism.  Avoidance of "strong drink" is not necessarily a virtue, Ms Karli.  A little loosening of the boundaries can be a beneficial thing.  We began as pagans, you know, and getting back to our roots can be liberating.

You need to listen to Ernest Bloch's "Concerto Grosso No. 1 for piano and string orchestra."  Its lyrical liberation, circumscribed by Bach's logic, is your goal in this life.  Once achieved, you shall have attained the closest we mortals can aspire to perfection.

For now, I step aside:  the inebriated impediment in your cyber life. 

Humbly yours,

General Disarray

[m19834]

hmmm ... puritan, eh ?  Whatever floats your boat, dude.  I will say that my decision to stay away from hard drink and most alcohol has little to do with religious or pagansitic or any other tendencies outside of my own experiences (though, admittedly, the porcelain god just may have something to do with it  ).  I have had enough so as to somehow lose my taste for alcohol nearly completely.  I just don't crave it at all anymore, not even in the smallest amounts.  That's just how it is, it's been that way for about one and a half years now, and I am at peace with it  :-.

[pianowolfi]

and I am at peace with it  .

hmm somehow I would like to make this guy smile instead of looking undecided.

 

[db05]

Your response is nearly incomprehensible. 

May I try to clarify this "career thread" problem?

A life is only worthy if it is of service to others.  Yes? 

In fact, that is the classical definition of the word "profession," grossly misunderstood and incorrectly applied in these degraded and morally decrepit days.  Today, Law, for example, is still defined as a "profession," but it is anything but that.

A moral and ethical career is chosen not for its financial gain, but for its service to others.  Sounds old-fashioned, doesn't it?  Well, that's how far we have strayed from ethical behavior.  That is why, globally, we are facing a second major economic depression. 

If we all chose careers based on their social utility, we would discover a smoothly functioning, humane society. 

But we don't.  We choose on the basis of ego-gratification and financial gain.  That's the world we have.  That's the world our self-interest has created.

Are you happy with your career? 

Think again. 

My goodness. This is definitely a serious post, and I agree 100%.
Anyway, it was a vague topic and I wasn't sure how to answer (as I believe many people are), so let's just leave it at that.

Cheers!

[pianowolfi]

Well to me it was a clear question and it made sense.
Where I live, the word "career" implies perhaps more of a "big career", like becoming famous, rich and things like that. Whereas in some other countries it might just mean to make a normal living, having a job etc.

[m19834]

Where I live, the word "career" implies perhaps more of a "big career", like becoming famous, rich and things like that. Whereas in some other countries it might just mean to make a normal living, having a job etc.

Oh, that is interesting to know !  I definitely meant it in a more generic way, per the latter definition you gave.  I don't know if that is the confusion for people or not, since their confusion is confusing, cryptic, and unclear for me  .  If that *was* the problem, maybe your comment has cleared it up, thanks for that .

[general disarray]

Oh, that is interesting to know !  I definitely meant it in a more generic way, per the latter definition you gave.  I don't know if that is the confusion for people or not, since their confusion is confusing, cryptic, and unclear for me  .  If that *was* the problem, maybe your comment has cleared it up, thanks for that .

Oh ye of little faith!  Did I not caution you on the complexities of your writing style?   Did I not warn you against confusion, division and anarchy?

[The General rests his case and goes off the neighborhood pub to toast Ms. K . . . and, of course, the fact that he was right all along.  No surprise there!    ]

[m19834]

[The General rests his case and goes off the neighborhood pub to toast Ms. K . . .

In the country that I live in, I have heard of pretzels or peanuts being freely provided at the pub counter.  I don't know what it's like where you come from, but my current greatest wish for you is that you may have a public pretzel or peanut with your pub experience.

[general disarray]

In the country that I live in, I have heard of pretzels or peanuts being freely provided at the pub counter.  I don't know what it's like where you come from, but my current greatest wish for you is that you may have a public pretzel or peanut with your pub experience.

Thanks, but I'm on the island of Kaua'i and i have to go over to Tahiti Nui (basically a glorified hula hut) where a bunch of crazy folks will serve me a puu puu platter.  That usually means little slabs of Spam with canned pineapple chunks toothpicked onto it.  I'm not kidding.  And in a place where pineapples actually grow. 

You can't make this stuff up!

[m19834]

You can't make this stuff up!

Obviously somebody did, otherwise it wouldn't exist !  Anyway, I happen to be familiar with "Hawaii's" affinity for spam, as well as the expression "puu puu platter."  Thanks for letting us in on your dazzling experience though.

[thalbergmad]

I have no career, only a job.

Careers take up too much time, which could be better spent on banjo and piano.

Thal

[db05]

Well to me it was a clear question and it made sense.
Where I live, the word "career" implies perhaps more of a "big career", like becoming famous, rich and things like that. Whereas in some other countries it might just mean to make a normal living, having a job etc.

Thanks for clearing that up. 
I don't have a career other than studying, which is more of an unpredictable passion. I do think I am not capable of handling a career, small or not.

[organed]

Absolutely I am happy with my career. I am an elementary school teacher and a church organist/music director. I get to make music every Sunday, people get to enjoy it and be uplifted and inspired, all the while I am being paid to do something I love. What's not to like?