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Success and Fulfillment

I don’t consider doing nothing, just sitting on one’s butt fulfilling.
I don’t consider doing what every Joe does fulfilling.
I consider doing or at least try doing what every Joe doesn’t do fulfilling.

A friend I know quit his IT job, does odd things. He decided one day to go to far north in snowy Himalayas to take a film-making course. How many people take film making course in Himalayas? He says, he “struggled alone.” I think struggling is the essence of life. Struggle and feel it. What is great in struggle-free? Like water flowing down a slope; that is just gravity, an external force moving you. It is more worthwhile trying to find a way to move by yourself, unaided. You will move little but it is entirely on your own. More fulfilling, more authentic.

The wold is full of Joe’s. They are a sorry bunch, mindlessly moving together. Don’t expect any adoration from them. Why should you? You should feel pity for them.

A couple of examples: I had a friend in IT, she got disgusted with her work, became a physiotherapist which she loved. More hard work for less money, seems like an unintuitive choice, but more satisfying. I had a friend whose son graduated in CompSc from an Ivy League school, after graduating decided to work in a non-profit non-CompSc field. I think that reflects guts.

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