Level 1.1
Levels of Disillusionment
Paul starts college next year. He is an Ivy League student, at least that's what his high school adviser advises him. "Paul, you are going to go far," he continues. "With test scores like these, and your GPA, you have the entire field of human industry open to you." Paul's adviser was given to the dramatic. "So, what are you thinking? You've decided on some great schools. What will you study? What programs are you interested in?"
Paul's response oozes of equivocation. He has tried to figure this out for the past three months. Every night, instead of reading, he has been considering his interests and strengths, comparing them, breaking everything down, and he has come up with...nothing.
"Paul, you have great grades in Science and your teachers love you. Mr. Vargas even picked you for the scholarship to Conservation Leadership School. You're in the Boy Scouts. You would probably find a career in the sciences, biology, very fulfilling."
Paul's inner voice mutters, Why does he have to make it so hard. It's as though all of the advice Paul has been given competes for his attention:
You really need to do what you love.
You want to support a family; make sure you can take care of a big family.
Life is about compromises.
Go into finance; you've got all of those investment books.
Go to college, get a degree. You don't want to have to be like your old grandpa. Manual labor is too hard for a life-time.
Paul leaves the office confused, empty.
Paul starts college next year. He is an Ivy League student, at least that's what his high school adviser advises him. "Paul, you are going to go far," he continues. "With test scores like these, and your GPA, you have the entire field of human industry open to you." Paul's adviser was given to the dramatic. "So, what are you thinking? You've decided on some great schools. What will you study? What programs are you interested in?"
Paul's response oozes of equivocation. He has tried to figure this out for the past three months. Every night, instead of reading, he has been considering his interests and strengths, comparing them, breaking everything down, and he has come up with...nothing.
"Paul, you have great grades in Science and your teachers love you. Mr. Vargas even picked you for the scholarship to Conservation Leadership School. You're in the Boy Scouts. You would probably find a career in the sciences, biology, very fulfilling."
Paul's inner voice mutters, Why does he have to make it so hard. It's as though all of the advice Paul has been given competes for his attention:
You really need to do what you love.
You want to support a family; make sure you can take care of a big family.
Life is about compromises.
Go into finance; you've got all of those investment books.
Go to college, get a degree. You don't want to have to be like your old grandpa. Manual labor is too hard for a life-time.
Paul leaves the office confused, empty.
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