Age...

[bsmart]

Although I have been 23 since June 1st, sometimes I have to sit and think...wait how old am I again? On an unconscious level something wants to say 25...for some odd reason. Then there is the fact that I still cannot believe that I am actually in my 20s, it seems like yesterday I was only graduating from high school, then moving into a dorm at UGA and saying goodbye to my mom and dad and actually having watery eyes while doing it. Then sometimes I think, "well here I am 23, haven't done anything significant" and there is a rush that comes over me to get things done so that I will be accomplished by the time I am 30.

 

[Smiling JOe]

Age does not matter too much. It is experience that counts. ie- How much living have you done? Some people go through life with nothing more than a spouse, kids, and a job. Who has time for anything else? Let's say that the spouse and kids are the more important of the three, but judging by the amount of time invested, I don't see that being the actual truth. What should be the thing to cut, if you want to live? -- work. Our country, as beautiful as she is, pushes the spend on this and that ways of consumerism. I ask, what can you eliminate from your budget in order to work less? I see empty beach homes in one of the prettiest places in this country, with names like, "The Life," or "My Little Heaven." These homes sit empty, unenjoyed for 11 months out of the year. I question if these people are wishful thinking. Perhaps they are planning for the future, but what about today? Are you living today?

 

[Kurt]

Stay away from the law books. They will still be there when you are 30. Go now and experience firsthand the environment you desire to defend. Discover what is worth protecting and how to do it properly. Otherwise, your ideals will soon be crushed by the machine you are so eager to join.

Don't be in such a rush. Being 23 is significant. Seek out those who are 22, 23, 24, etc. and understand this.

 

[bsmart]

Stay away from the law books. They will still be there when you are 30. Go now and experience firsthand the environment you desire to defend. Discover what is worth protecting and how to do it properly. Otherwise, your ideals will soon be crushed by the machine you are so eager to join.

Don't be in such a rush. Being 23 is significant. Seek out those who are 22, 23, 24, etc. and understand this.

Thank you Kurt. That is what I am hearing and it has actually led me to decide to take more time off before law school...maybe...I am still deciding, I have until February to come to a conclusion. The thing is, as you say, I want to know how to do it properly, and I cannot do that unless I join an organization which shares the passion that I do, to make sure environmental matters are handled properly. Unfortunately I cannot find many that are willing to let me in. I have also become interested in lobbying, so I am in the process of writing letters to organizations such as NOAA to see the opportunities that exist there. The only thing that keeps me from making the decision to not go onto law school now is the fact that all of my friends are going in Fall 2006, when I am suppose to go, and well I have this stupid feeling that I will be "behind them," and lose touch with them, which I do not want to happen.

 

[Kurt]

Thank you Kurt. That is what I am hearing and it has actually led me to decide to take more time off before law school...maybe...I am still deciding, I have until February to come to a conclusion. The thing is, as you say, I want to know how to do it properly, and I cannot do that unless I join an organization which shares the passion that I do, to make sure environmental matters are handled properly. Unfortunately I cannot find many that are willing to let me in. I have also become interested in lobbying, so I am in the process of writing letters to organizations such as NOAA to see the opportunities that exist there. The only thing that keeps me from making the decision to not go onto law school now is the fact that all of my friends are going in Fall 2006, when I am suppose to go, and well I have this stupid feeling that I will be "behind them," and lose touch with them, which I do not want to happen.

I understand about the friends. That is personal. They would all one day be jealous of you for following your heart. If the organizations won't let you in, why not hit the ground with some volunteer work? They probably want people who they know are committed.

 

[Beach Runner]

My problem is that I'm an 18-year-old trapped in a 50-year-old body. I'd love to (and have the energy to) go out and act like I was 18, but I'd look pretty ridiculous. Actually the fact that I primarily listen to hip-hop music is pretty ridiculous (DON'T ANY OF YOU SAY AMEN TO THAT - LOL), but I really like the music.

To me you're an old dude at 23.

Seriously, enjoy every moment because it all goes by so fast (note to self). If you're in a career that is going nowhere, go to grad school, and when you're out, you'll be on the fast track to success by 30. That's what we did - we had B.S. degrees and didn't like where we were headed. So we quit our jobs, went to grad school, and in the first year after grad school made more money than we lost by not working for three years and paying 3 years times 2 of tuition. Not that money is the ultimate, but it is one measure of success. Or if you're not into money, think about what you want to do that would make you happy, and do it - unfortunately not as simple as it sounds (note to self), as in, at my age if I quit my job and moved to the beach (as Smiling JOe suggests when he sees the empty beach houses - it *is* a waste), I couldn't get health insurance. Then if I got sick, I'd be a bag lady. THAT would not make me happy.

Happiness *is* more important than money (note to self). One of the wealthiest families in our town is one of the most unhappy - it's a sad, sad story that I won't go into on this board. It's not due to health or tragedy either.

I think I probably confused you more. Sorry. But the experience of writing this was somewhat cathartic for me.

 

[bsmart]

My problem is that I'm an 18-year-old trapped in a 50-year-old body. I'd love to (and have the energy to) go out and act like I was 18, but I'd look pretty ridiculous. Actually the fact that I primarily listen to hip-hop music is pretty ridiculous (DON'T ANY OF YOU SAY AMEN TO THAT - LOL), but I really like the music.
To me you're an old dude at 23.

Seriously, enjoy every moment because it all goes by so fast (note to self). If you're in a career that is going nowhere, go to grad school, and when you're out, you'll be on the fast track to success by 30. That's what we did - we had B.S. degrees and didn't like where we were headed. So we quit our jobs, went to grad school, and in the first year after grad school made more money than we lost by not working for three years and paying 3 years times 2 of tuition. Not that money is the ultimate, but it is one measure of success. Or if you're not into money, think about what you want to do that would make you happy, and do it - unfortunately not as simple as it sounds (note to self), as in, at my age if I quit my job and moved to the beach (as Smiling JOe suggests when he sees the empty beach houses - it *is* a waste), I couldn't get health insurance. Then if I got sick, I'd be a bag lady. THAT would not make me happy.

Happiness *is* more important than money (note to self). One of the wealthiest families in our town is one of the most unhappy - it's a sad, sad story that I won't go into on this board. It's not due to health or tragedy either.

I think I probably confused you more. Sorry. But the experience of writing this was somewhat cathartic for me.

We should hang out sometime

 

[Beach Runner]

No, I'd look ridiculous. Not to mention the fact that my 6'8" husband would whomp you up beside the head. LOLOL.

And I love him.

 

[katie blue]

Kurt, SJ and BR speak the truth my friend. When I was 23 I was terribly worried about whether I was making the right "career moves" to prepare for "adult life". (You tend to assume when you're young that one day you're going to wake up and suddenly be a serious grown-up, in full control of your destiny and with no more interest in youthful fun. Doesnt happen that way. You will feel the same way you feel now, 30 years from now. You'll just have more responsibilities.) So take the time to experience the world now...it will give you the edge in the long run, though it may not seem that way now. You'll learn first hand where real happiness stems from, and that will guide your motivations going forward.

I've lived life from all sides of the fence: I've done my time in the fast paced, high-paying corporate world, and I've lived in a van with nothing more than a dog and a guitar, having to play "I Know You Rider" 1000 times on the streets of NYC just to make enough gas money to get home. The secret is to make sure you experience both sides, then blend the two to just the right balance for your life. The corporate years helped us get a little shack on the beach, which is great, but the van years really taught me what living was about.... it's about the sunset, not the house. The more "stuff" you amass, the more you stress about maintaining it. THE HAPPIEST PEOPLE I know are not the richest--far from it. They are ones who have an open spirit, laugh and sing freely, trust in the universe/god enough to allow for spontenaity and uncertainy in their life, and really, actively love their friends and family. (remember: "love" is a verb. Think about that. That is how you create your legacy, ultimately. At your funeral, no one will be talking about the deal you landed, or the case you won. They'll talk about how much you made them smile.)

You learn this stuff through experience (if you're lucky enough to learn it in your life.)

That said, your chosen field is a great one. We need folks like you more than ever. but if you're not driven to start right away, no worries, you won't be too old to start a few years from now...or even 20 years from now! good luck, whatever you decide.

 

[Smiling JOe]

...Or if you're not into money, think about what you want to do that would make you happy, and do it - unfortunately not as simple as it sounds (note to self), as in, at my age if I quit my job and moved to the beach (as Smiling JOe suggests when he sees the empty beach houses - it *is* a waste), I couldn't get health insurance. Then if I got sick, I'd be a bag lady. THAT would not make me happy.

Starbucks pays health insurance for all fulltime employees (only 20+ hours per week to be full time). (They spend more money on employees health insurance benefits than their actual products. :shock