Servicing Your Dreams

The biggest mistake that people seem to make in their search for happiness is the searching. The fact is we all know what, within us, excites and thrills our minds. Yet, we insist on participating in the robotic social systems that popularize the white-collar existence. This cyclical system that has persisted through generations doesn't consider those of us that may want some thing else besides the reputable office job.
We go to school learn what we're told to learn and graduate into the "real world" where we're expected to find a job, partner, and an all around fulfilling life. No one bothers to sit any of our youthful idealistic hearts down and tell the awful scary truth that nothing will happen unless we make it happen for ourselves; that we will never feel happiness until we know ourselves. The delusion that the stress from the high paying finance job will be worth it at the end of the month with a large paycheck remains a delusion, leaving unsatisfied employees wondering why they're not happy.
We need to remember the advice of our Greek ancestors and their reoccurring theme of "know thy self". It is simply not enough to strive for happiness. By setting such an ambiguous goal we are dealing ourselves the greatest insult. The most exhilarating part of being who we are, as individuals, is that there is not, in the whole entire world, a single absolute duplicate of any one of us. In that sense, each person is truly unique. So, when we fearfully hope for a generic uniform feeling of happiness we're trying to convince ourselves that the same things could satisfy everyone's hunger for fulfillment; and in doing so sacrifice the gift of our own uniqueness.
We must account for our complexity, which leads us to varied interests and desires. And, we must therefore forsake the notion that there could or must be one thing to satisfy any one person. We must know ourselves, and start paying attention to our day-dreams, our inner most private and intimate moments that we are only privy to. Through this detailed attention we will find the path to our own excitement and the courage to be truly happy.
But, what happens when our enlightenment leads us to an impractical option? How is one supposed to be engrossed as a sculptor with out being weighted down by financial worries? Although this question is a worthy one it stems from an aged and out dated mind-set.
Years ago, before a man could become the professional artisan he would have to learn his trade through years of no or little pay apprentice work. And, he could gain prominence depending on the skill and prestige of the master he worked under. This tradition has evaporated and become something of the past. Today it is very common to learn an art from part time schooling or through the persistency of being self-taught. The expected years of financial hardship should no longer apply, and the risk of living like a pauper has diminished. Some how the unknown artist must supplement his income with part time work until his art can financially support him.
The most common mistake at this stage is to use the artistic skill in a controlled setting. For example, a filmmaker who aspires to direct avant-garde style music videos for up and coming musicians takes a full time job directing a local cable station's puppet show geared for an audience of 2-5 year olds. After a long full day's work the filmmaker will most probably have no energy or time to direct music videos and will end up resenting his skill from hours and hours of confined creativity.
The first fatal flaw is taking the full time position to create income, he isn't leaving any time to allow his own creativity to produce a finished piece. And, secondly, he is tainting his love and passion for a specific facet of film making by being boxed in by the wants and direction of his employers. The best way to avoid this is, again, working part time hours and generating enough money to live.
These days it is common and even growing in expectancy that one pay check just isn't enough. The dual income has become somewhat of a trend in society. But, how does one manage a dual income with out putting in unrealistic time consuming hours.
The answer is in the service industry. Not retail, where full time hours are required for a low hourly wage, but in providing a skilled service where the amount of hours imputed and the monetary rates are decided by the servicer. An aspiring travel photographer who has yet to be paid enough to practice travel photography all year round can supplement his/her income with event or wedding photography, where the minimum rate for a day's shooting is more than most people dream about. Adding time for touch ups or prints, for a full day's work he/she can make what it would take others a week or more to earn. The aspiring voice over actor trying to break into animated feature films can free up his/her time for auditions by learning the art of makeup application. He/she can generate enough money working weekends at private functions pulling in a hefty full time salary for part time hours.
The idea that a creative lifestyle is a poor one holds no weight in the modern world where loyalty to a company is no longer counted in years, and servicing private functions allows people to manage their own lives and finances. Times have changed and left us with endless realistic options. The question has morphed from a matter how to a matter of will. Fallowing our dreams no longer means that we must be left in the economic dust. There are many ways to manipulate a situation to work for you and your future, but it takes the bravery of an ambitious mindset to take the plunge. Life requires courage and insight to know our selves and it is courage that each person must provide for him/her self to actively create and live a fulfilling life.

- Beauty: Find schools or videos near you that that teach any facet of the beauty industry (Hair, makeup, nails, skin...) Make sure to find out the local laws. Some of these professions do require licensing and some don't.

- Photography and Videography: Again, find schools or video long distance learning to teach you the basics.

- Cooking: You can do so much with cooking or baking. You don't have to devote your time to becoming the next world famous chef, but it will open doors. Offer private cooking classes, put it on your resume as a boost for that au pair job...

- Dancing: Lots of private parties want entertainment and dancers are in high demand. Whether it's belly dancing or hip hop people want to entertain their guests.

- Balloon animals: Clowns and child entertainers are another great way to go. You get to hang out with kids and play games while getting paid.