3. like the violin

In order to tell me what I believe, I must briefly outline my personal history.

The turning point in my life was my decision to give up my promising business career and study music. Although my parents sympathize with me and love music as much as I do, they don't approve of my taking music as a profession. Considering the family background, this is understandable. My grandfather taught music at Springhill College in Mobile for nearly 40 years. Although he was loved and respected in the community, he earned only enough money to support his big family. My father often said that it was my grandmother's shrewdness and frugality that made the wolf cornered. As a result of this example in the family, when it comes to music as a profession, it carries a picture of an unstable life and uncertain economic returns. My parents insisted on going to college instead of the conservatory of music, so I went to college? I remember, very happy, because although I love my violin and practice most of my spare time, I still have many other interests.

In order to clarify my belief, I must briefly introduce my experience.

The turning point in my life was that I decided not to be a promising businessman, but to specialize in music. Although my parents and I have common interests and hobbies, and love music as much as I do, they object to my taking music as a career. Considering my family situation, their attitude is completely understandable. My grandfather has taught music at Springhill College in Mobile for forty years, and he is deeply loved and respected by teachers and students, but his salary can only barely support the life of a large family. My father always said that if my grandmother is not smart and does not manage the family diligently, the whole family will go hungry. So in our family, whenever music is mentioned, everyone will think of the bitter days of unstable income. My parents insisted that I go to college instead of the Conservatory of Music, so I went to college. I remember I was quite happy at that time, because although I loved the violin and practiced most of the time, I still had many other hobbies.

Before I graduated from Columbia University, my family encountered serious financial difficulties, and I felt it was my duty to leave the university and find a job. So I started my business career? I always thought it was a wasted time.

I didn't mean to belittle business at all. What I'm trying to say is that this is not for me. I am engaged in this job for money. Besides helping the family to feel satisfied, money is all I get from it. That's not enough. I feel that life is slipping away from me. From mere dissatisfaction, I became very miserable. My only ambition is to save enough money to quit my job and study music in Europe. I used to get up at dawn to practice and then go? Downtown? Having breakfast in a hurry at the last minute distracted my poor mother. I will find a cheap coffee shop instead of having lunch with my business partner? Order a meager meal and scribble my harmony exercises. I continued to make money, and finally, bit by bit, I accumulated enough money to let me go abroad. The family was solvent again and no longer needed my help. I quit my job and went to Europe by boat like a man who was released from prison. I stayed for four years, worked harder than I ever dreamed, and enjoyed every minute of it.

Before I graduated from Columbia University, my family's financial situation became very bad. I felt it was my responsibility to drop out of school and find a job, and then I joined the business community. I always thought those years in business were a waste of time.

I never mean to belittle business, I mean it doesn't suit me. I do business only to make money. Apart from subsidizing my family and bringing me a little satisfaction, money is everything I get from business. That's not enough. I feel the years flowing away from me. Dissatisfaction with my career makes me very painful. My only ambition is to save enough money and quit my job to study music in Europe. So, I get up at dawn every day, practice the violin, and then go? Downtown? I hardly have time to swallow the hastily prepared breakfast at work, which makes my poor mother very nervous. I don't have lunch with my business partners. I always find a cheap restaurant, have a light meal and write some harmony etudes. I kept making money and finally saved enough money to go abroad. At this time, my family's economic situation has also improved, and I no longer need my help. I quit my job and felt as free as a released prisoner, so I went to Europe by boat for four years. I study harder than I thought before, but I am very happy.

? Do you like it? This word is too mild. I am on cloud nine. Really alive. I am a free man. I am doing what I like and what I should do.

If I had stayed in business, I might have been a relatively rich person today, but I don't believe I would have a successful life. I will give up all those intangible things, the inner satisfaction that money can't buy, and the things that are often sacrificed when a man gets married? Our main goal is financial success.

When I gave up my business, I almost went against the advice of all my friends and family. Most of us are so used to associating success with money that the idea of giving up a high salary for an idea is almost crazy. If so, what can I say? Gee! It? Crazy is a good thing. ? Money is a beautiful thing, but it may also pay too high a price for it.

? Are you happy? One word is not enough to express my feelings. I am ecstatic. I live a real life. I am a free man, doing what I love and am destined to do.

If I were in business, I might be rich today, but I don't think my life will be very successful. I may give up all the intangible spiritual satisfaction that money can never buy; This spiritual satisfaction is often unattainable, because the main purpose of people's life is to get rich.

My departure from business is contrary to the advice of all my relatives and friends, because most of us are used to associating success with money, and it seems crazy to give up high salary for our ideals. If so, I want to say: well, I wish I could be crazy! ? Money is a good thing, but we may pay too much for it.