Who else believes that the pursuit of happiness is a luxury?

Question

I guess this isn't only a philosophical talk. This is also because I am... frustrated.

I've always heard from people to pursue what I love to do. People always express the importance of chasing after your dream. But the real question is something more like this... since this is true for me. Aren't dreams meant to be mere dreams? They can never be real because they are but dreams.

My family is extremely poor. My father was asked to decide a date to retire or he would be fired without benefits. My mother is quitting her job soon. My brother is transferring from community college (meaning cash flow out), I'm still continuing to attend community college (which is still over $1500 per semester...). If we ever get into an accident and have to pay to fix our cars, we'd be in debt and there would be no way to get out of it.

So is it still fair to say that I should pursue what I love? My brother has given up pursuing his happiness. He decided to be a pharmacist because he has references and connects to pharmacies. He would be getting paid a lot of money in the district he would work after getting his degree. Right now he is a pharmacy tech. My brother doesn't like pharmacy. I think he hates it too. People say stuff to him about how he shouldn't do it if he didn't like it. And although I wish I could say the same to him, I want to hit the people who say that nowadays (I used to firmly believe it).

My brother, drunk drug junkie, changed in literally one day. Has a perfect GPA, works two jobs and goes to college. The reason why he changed was because of this list he made. And #1 on the list was "The survival of my family depends on my success..."

I have begun to think that the pursuit of happiness in our situation is rather obnoxious and following your dream to be downright laughable. Is this wrong? Let me hear your insights.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

pharmacists a good job, i've had some recreational jobs and it's still work even if you're skiing or scuba diving in mexico. stupid tourists drowning half the time, chasing kids down the mountain for lousy pay. life sucks. hang around in a white coat and count pills all day at least somebody else sweeps at the end of the night. some things are better than others. you can make good money and he's young enough to do more later. people are always changing careers and advancing. he can later get a business degree and sell large amounts of money for pharmacuetical companies. attatch yourself to the big one and be set for life. maybe happiness is a luxury maybe all this crap is the pursuit of happiness. 

what are your dreams? what do you want to be? is being something your goal? modern society is said to have shifted from one where we define ourselves by our profession to where we define ourselves by some other means. style, social group, hobbies. if you want to be a singer or an artist or actor or something that is laughable because everybody wants to be a rich celebrity (royalty), thats kind of the point. don't feel any worse than the rest of the human race if you're not a celebrity. and loved and adored by the common people.

Derail · Answer

The pursuit of happiness isn't mandatory. It's an opportunity for all if they desire to do so. I think your interpretation of a "dream" is different than what the quote implies. In this case, the dream means a personal goal and passion more than a vision.

I know what you mean about your financial situation. How any little thing that may go wrong would set you way back financially. Been there - done that too. The only way I could get a college education was to join the military, which I did. The Navy then paid for my college. I was an RN (Registered Nurse) until I was 38. Then I got on with a railroad, became an Engineer and am still doing that. There are education opportunities out there. But no one is going to give it to you. You have to give up something for it. And in the end, everyone gets what they want.

classenmom · Answer

It sounds as though your brothers' priorities have changed, and that he is actually engaged in the "pursuit of happiness" not only for himself, but for his family.  Perhaps not absolute happiness, but relative happiness.  

"To pursue your dream" is a figure of speech.  Another way to phrase it is to to have aspirations or ambition.  

I suggest that you read "Freddy and Fredricka" by Mark Helprin.

These are difficult times, but please be patient with annoying people, figure out your priorities and pursue them... that would be  a form of  happiness, even if your dream is to become a pro athlete, or a movie star or something else that does not seem like a practical choice under current conditions.

? · Answer

Yes we do. The change among Liberals and Conservatives is that Liberals desire Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness to use to truly folks, even as Conservatives desire them to use to organizations as a substitute.

Stark · Answer

no. it is an axiomatix human right. remember, his #1 goal is the survival of his family. he wants this. by doign pharmacy, he will get it. he will have the time and money to pursue another career later on by doing night school.

but it is true, dreams are mere dreams. people simply try to turn them into a reality.

Who else believes that the pursuit of happiness is a luxury?

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