Unintentional Quarter-life Crises
The title of this post is a bit misleading. And maybe it’s the title itself that I want to soapbox about. How can anyone know what quarter of life they are currently in? Nobody knows when their life-clock will fall silent. Mine could malfunction and rupture itself beyond repair tomorrow afternoon or in 50 years. Only the Clockmaker knows.
If it is tomorrow, that would by default deem the first six years of my life as the necessary encasement of any applicable quarter-life crises. Luckily, I didn’t care for much more than He-Man underwear, soccer balls, and a naked Ken doll back then (Hey, my sisters wouldn’t let me play with them unless I had one).
What could have been my quarter-life crisis back then? It might have something to do with my dad’s literal use of “Labor Day” or Santa’s bad habit of favoring the other kids at Lea Hill Elementary and not me.
Yeah, if you didn’t watch the news last night, as of today, I’m every bit of 26 years, 3 months, and 6 days old. Okay, the news last night has nothing to do with it. Point is, I’m 26 and though I mentioned quarter-life crisis, I have no intention of actually living until I’m 105 years and 24 days old (though my Great Grandpa is nearly 102 and doing just fine). Crisis or not, linear timing really has nothing to do with the crisis itself does it?
That aside.. most “quarter-life crises” have to do with selecting a profession of permanence and value.
Why does anyone care what he or she wants to do with themselves? Does it matter aside from the basic free market principles of marketplace specialization and the “Invisible Hand” (Adam Smith’s Wealth of Nation economic stuff—yeah, I remember a bit from Econ 110)? What does it matter to you?
###Of course I have my own ideas and convictions but I’m really curious as to what you think###
Talk amongst yourselves.
Or, a much better alternative, if there’s any of y’all out there who would like to salt the tip jar a bit, post your comments below. Just click on the “Add a Comment” link at the bottom of the post or if there are already a number of comments click on “n Comments.” The page will reload a bit and a place for you to enter your comment or “Say Your Peace” as I like to put it, will make itself available.
Bling.
Buddy, if I could write with half the wit that you do, I’d be a popular read on the ‘net. Thanks for checking into my small cyberspace contribution.
Hey Seth,
I like the blog, I followed you link from your 4hww post recently. I’m 26 too, going through some of the same things. Anyway, this is a good blog. I should improve mine!
Seth, you have a gift for writing. You are a thinker and have the ability to put those thoughts into cleverly written and enjoyably readable words. Whether or not that gift comes into play with your life’s career doesn’t really matter. You can always write, no matter what your “day job” is. Maybe for now you just have to have a “day job” to pay the bills, and something will come up that will lead to something more. I just read a book entitled, “Three Cups of Tea”. A man named Greg Mortensen who was a mountain climber on K2 10+ years ago, got lost on the descent and entered a remote mountain village and met a people who would change the course of his life’s work forever. He saw the need for the Pakistani girls to have schools and started a journey of building schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan that has been an incredible ride. I highly recommend reading the book.
Thanks for the note Aunt Bonnie! It makes me happy that people enjoy what I write. That is fulfilling in and of itself and that’s without the need for compensation of any kind. I’ll check out the book. It’s funny, I’ve had an idea to do something along those lines… with the non-profit that we’re starting.
Seth I have relly enjoyed your blog. Sometimes its easier just writing to anyone who would read rather than anyone in specific. For me I had to buckle down and do something that would pay the bills because of my growing family I really didn’t stick to one profession until I was 35. Just In time to get in twenty five years til retirement at 60. I have noticed in my work that until a man has some hungry kids at home they are generally unreliable. When he has that greater motivation to provide for someone other than themselves their really not selfless enough to show up and produce everyday day in and day out. I don’t know what that has to do with you in your present place in life. I know that when you do have some responsibility outside of yourself the need to make a decision becomes much more pressing and less likely to be what you want and be more of what they need. I love you
Uncle Matt
P.S. I still want to build your home if you ever get rich ha! ha!
Dad always said that when choosing a vocation, look first at the things that you love to do and are good at, then pick which one of them will make the most money and provide the kind of life that you want for your family. I would add to that, meanwhile find a steady job that you can stand and that pays the bills. Then in your extra time, keep searching for opportunities to do what you love.
My husband, Aaron says that there are two kinds of jobs; jobs that are your life, and jobs that make your life possible. What he means by that is, some people are able to work at something they absolutely love and make a living doing it, the majority of people work at a job that isn’t their favorite thing to do but it provides a good living for their family. Either way, if you are doing an honest day’s work at a job that provides for the needs of your family, you can be happy. Both kinds of jobs are honorable and something to be thankful for.
I would also say that if you are honestly striving to find the vocation where you will do the most good for others, the Lord will lead you to where He can use you best. Just listen to His promptings, and be willing to work hard wherever you are lead. Don’t ever think that a job is beneath you. If you pray about it, and it feels right, just jump in, even if it is the bottom of the totem pole. Work hard, and you will be blessed and happy. So that’s my two-cents.
I love you Seth, it is so fun to read your blog. It is such a window into your soul and helps me know you better than I ever have before. Love you!