First off, I consider myself a flaming liberal. I believe in equal pay for equal work. I believe in the equality of all races, genders, sexual preferences and faiths. I think that organized religion–NOT spirituality, mind you–is the greatest evil on the face of the planet that hides behind the occasional good deed to shoulder the burdens of its superiority complex.

But I’m also well aware of financial realities. Look, you SHOULD pursue your passions in life. You should make a career out of what makes you happy. But if you choose a low paying occupation, please don’t whine when the market suddenly doesn’t change to make you filthy rich just because you followed your dream. (And yes, there are some passion careers (ahem, TEACHING) that should be paid a shitload more money.) If it’s MONEY that makes you happy,then get back to school and find a career that gives you that. But don’t expect the market to suddenly change just because you are in it.

What makes me happy? Financial stability, witty conversations, good-hearted friends, and people who are kind. I’ve met too many people in the last few years who have followed their passions into low paying occupations only to become embittered and, well, mean. You can’t blame life for your mean streak, no matter how tough it has been. The way you treat others is solely on you. If you feel trapped, change it. You have all the power to do whatever you want, whenever you want. If you hate your relationship and fear that you couldn’t survive financially on your own, that’s a fear that will turn you into a bitter, cynical person and I assume that you didn’t follow your dream just to become that way. You can find a balance. I promise you it’s possible. But you have to trust in yourself and stop blaming the world for your problems before any of that can happen.

And if you’re using someone else until a certain period of time passes because it’s financially supportive and you get all the things you want, shame on you. You KNOW you’re better than that.

Your life is, good or bad, exactly what you made it. Don’t like it? Make something better. Life isn’t over. Take responsibility for it.