blogs

                                                                                                        Photo by Pixabay from Pexels

Have you ever heard of an athlete who pursued medicine, or do you know a writer who chose accounting as a career, or perhaps even an artist slaving away at code? Don’t misunderstand; there is nothing wrong with medicine or code. However, according to the Dead Poets Society: “And medicine, law, business, engineering, there are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love, these are what we stay alive for”, settling the stage for our discussion. Life offers much more than the typical capitalism-pushing pathways. This article will shed light on some key points, emphasizing that these noble pursuits, although valuable, are not art. Pursuing your passion, your art, is a privilege we must recognize.

Why is following passion a privilege?

Now, privilege is a term we have all come across. The privilege we are referring to here is essentially concerned with financial means—the privilege to take a risk and consider pursuing your passion. What makes passion a risk is that it does not necessarily pay, at least not in our world. A painter does not typically earn more than a banker. Let us take Van Gogh as an example; he faced financial struggles most of his life, and it was only after his demise that his work gained recognition and became highly valuable. 

The risk of studying and pursuing painting as a career, despite knowing it does not pay well, is a privilege only the ones who do not have to earn well can take—the ones who do not have mouths to feed, the ones whose livelihood is not dependent on one source only. There are certain things we all love immensely, things we enjoy doing, and in a perfect world, we would jump at the chance to do these things as a career and earn. However, a perfect world is yet to be witnessed.

The myth of equal opportunities 

It’s important to debunk the myth of equal opportunities and confront reality. The discussion about equal opportunities is intricately linked to the concept that pursuing passion as a career is a privilege. The frustrating claim that everyone in this world has an equal opportunity to achieve their dream is false. Not everyone aiming towards the same goals has the same level of opportunities, and that is because of many reasons.

Systematic barriers exist in our society, resulting in discrimination based on caste, creed, culture, and background. In our society, everyone has developed the mentality to favour those who are similar to them. This inequality also exists in our schools, where students attending private colleges have better resources and study materials compared to those attending government institutions. Moreover, some people have better access to opportunities in their desired fields due to connections, wealth, and quality education. The privileged need to acknowledge that they’ve had advantages, even if they don’t want to lose them. Recognizing privilege is a step towards creating a more equitable society. Unfortunately, what we’ve ended up with is a very exclusive environment where certain groups of people are intentionally or unintentionally excluded from opportunities and sidelined.

And you know what? The reasons mentioned are just the beginning. There are many more reasons as to why equal opportunities can be seen as a myth. It’s important to recognise that believing in equal opportunities for everyone without considering these factors can be equivalent to living in a bubble.

Being determined

Yes, it’s a fact that not everyone has the same opportunity. However, we need to remember that with unwavering efforts, great strength and determination, anything can be achieved. Many public figures in the world have achieved their dreams despite coming from poor or unstable backgrounds.

One of the most inspiring examples is Shahid Khan, who started his journey as a dishwasher with a salary less than one can imagine. However, with his passion, he built himself an amazing career in the automotive industry, becoming known for his business acumen and philanthropy. Another notable example is Oprah Winfrey, who grew up in poverty and faced numerous challenges during her childhood. She was bullied by her classmates for not having any fresh clothes and had to wear clothes made out of potato sacks. Despite this, through her hard work, talent, and determination, she became a successful media mogul, talk show host, and actress. She always stayed strong and confident in her space and never allowed her past to blackmail her. In an industry where racism was and still is so common she made her space and proved that privilege can not defeat someone’s hard work.

Lastly, J.K. Rolling, the author of the Harry Potter series. Before her books became a worldwide phenomenon, she was a struggling single mother living on welfare. She started writing the Harry Potter series because she has always had a great love for writing stories. She says that she had vivid memories of her writing during her childhood and when she started writing Harry Potter it wasn’t because she was in an awful financial state but because it was her passion to write. She didn’t let the dreadful events of her life blackmail her but she related some events of her life with her characters. Through her talent, perseverance and passion, she became one of the world’s wealthiest authors. Even though she launched her first book in 1997, it reached the top of the New York Times best seller in 1999, which shows us how even after giving it your all one needs to wait for the result a little more with patience. It just goes to show that with determination and hard work, anyone can overcome their circumstances.

Passion’s Battle With Practicality

Have you ever found yourself stuck in a dilemma on whether to follow your passion or choose a career with stable prospects? On one hand, there’s the glamour of pursuing a path that ignites a fire within your heart but on the other hand, there’s the sobering reality of bills to pay, responsibilities to uphold, and the uncertainty that accompanies many passion-driven professions. 

Choosing a path you’re passionate about may mean diving into an industry where success is seldom and financial rewards are uncertain. It takes a lot of resilience, perseverance, and a willingness to fight the storms of uncertainty. But they may also grapple with guilt or a sense of obligation to choose the more practical path to fulfil external expectations. Conversely, opting for a practical path might provide a sense of security, a steady paycheck, and the comfort of knowing that your financial future is safeguarded. Yet, it could also mean living with emptiness and a constant doubt of “What if it had worked out?”

Giving it a Chance

Instead of allowing privilege to dictate the terms of success, we can also shift the narrative and recognize that passion deserves a chance, regardless of one’s background or circumstances. Invision privilege as a catalyst—a springboard from which individuals can launch themselves into the unknown with greater confidence and resilience. While it provides the resources, connections, and support systems necessary to follow passion-driven pursuits, it does not guarantee smooth sailing. Success still requires grit, determination, and a willingness to embrace failure as an integral part of the journey which can be done without any privileges. 

Being practical is imperative for those without privilege. It entails carefully assessing one’s circumstances, identifying potential risks and challenges, and developing strategies to mitigate them. It may involve making sacrifices, taking on additional responsibilities, or seeking out alternative sources of income to support one’s pursuits. It requires a pragmatic approach to goal-setting, with an emphasis on long-term sustainability and resilience in the face of adversity. 

One solution could be having a full-time job in a proper occupation while pursuing your passion part-time. Moreover, finding a balance between passion and practicality is not necessarily a zero-sum game. It’s possible to pursue a career that aligns with one’s passions while also ensuring financial stability, albeit with careful planning, perseverance, and perhaps a willingness to take calculated risks along the way. This may involve exploring hybrid career paths, seeking out opportunities for skill development, or leveraging transferable skills to pivot between industries. Privilege does grant a lift, but passion thrives on the hustle. Dive in and fuel your dreams with grit. Your unique spark deserves a chance, so chase it with fire, not fear. After all, when you love something so much, you need to go the extra mile for it. 

As we come to the end, let’s consider a few things. We’ve talked about how some folks have it easier, with connections and resources at their fingertips, while others face battles when following their dreams. But amidst all this, if we have enough resilience we can still conquer our passions like Shahid Khan or J.K Rowling. Their stories remind us that while privilege may open doors, it’s grit and determination that keep us going, no matter the hand we’re dealt. It doesn’t matter even if you have chosen practicality because turning your passion into a career is not the only way to pursue it. But one more thing we need to remember is, if we’re lucky enough to have that privilege, we’ve got to own it, you know? We need to recognize it, appreciate it, and use it to lift others as much as we can. It makes us thankful for our lives, more empathetic towards others and allows us to make a change in someone else’s life.